On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 169

“I’ll just play as catcher.”

“No way. Your top priority is to recover quickly. Take care of yourself with *jjimjil* [Korean-style hot stone or warm compress treatment] and save your left hand. Got it?”

Song Seok-hyun, leaving the manager’s office, sighed deeply.

“Left fielder bomb in Sajik… Scary.”

Rising to Success as a Catcher

Nothing Can Stop Us (2)

Tuesday, Sajik Stadium in Busan.

Fox and Goat fans lined up to enter the stadium.

Among the Goat fans wearing jerseys, three or four out of ten had Song Seok-hyun’s name on them.

“We’ll win today, right?”

“With Seok-hyun here, we’ll definitely win.”

“Fox is so sweet, so sweet. If we win this game, are we going to be the sole leader?”

“We’re still two games behind… but there’s a possibility.”

“Seok-hyun needs to hit a home run again today.”

“Since it’s his comeback game, I don’t expect a home run. I’d be thankful if he just gets a few hits and gets a feel for the game.”

“Talking about hitting as if it’s nothing. Hahaha.”

As game time approached, the stadium began to fill with spectators.

The commentators and announcers also came out onto the field and grabbed their microphones.

“Sajik Stadium looks a bit empty today.”

“It seems to be the aftermath of Fox’s three consecutive losses in the weekend series.”

“The third base stands are already packed with Goat fans.”

“Goat’s performance this season is dramatic. They started in the mid-tier, fell to the bottom, rose back to the top, and then fell again. Then they surged up and are now in second place. They’re only a few games behind first-place Pegasus.”

“The ranking battle seems fierce this season.”

“If Phoenix was the protagonist last year, Goat is undoubtedly the protagonist this season. With three starting hitters leaving, there were concerns that they would not only ruin this season but also enter a dark age. But unexpectedly, unexpected figures emerged from unexpected places.”

“Are you talking about Song Seok-hyun and Kim In-hwan?”

“Yes. Add to that Kim Jung-ryul, who has transformed into an ironclad bullpen, and Lee Ji-sung and Yoo Seon-ho, who were brought in through trades. It’s like they fit together perfectly like puzzle pieces.”

“Goat has been criticized for not producing a star since Kim Jung-ryul, but with Song Seok-hyun and Kim In-hwan’s potential exploding, those criticisms have disappeared.”

“Recently, with Song Seok-hyun’s injury, there were concerns that Goat would decline again, but their recent performance has been excellent.”

“It means Goat has built a solid foundation.”

“I’d like to ask the commentator. What would be the key point of today’s game?”

“It’s Song Seok-hyun, of course. How long it will take for Song Seok-hyun, who has returned from injury, to regain his form. That will be the most important key point.”

* * *

As the game start time approached, Yoo Seon-ho placed his hand on his chest and took a deep breath.

“Stay calm. Stay calm.”

Song Seok-hyun approached Yoo Seon-ho.

“What are you doing?”

“Can’t you tell? I’m concentrating.”

“Senior, are you nervous?”

“Nervous? I always do this.”

Yoo Seon-ho subtly got up from his seat and hid behind the bench.

Kim Jung-ryul chuckled, watching Yoo Seon-ho.

“Our Seon-ho *hyung* [older brother or male friend] is really scared.”

Lee Ji-sung said.

“Seon-ho is good at outfield defense, but…”

“Honestly, he’s below average, below average. Hehe. With that level of athleticism, he should be at least average in defense. It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

“We just have to hope the ball doesn’t go to the left fielder today.”

Kim Jung-ryul tapped Song Seok-hyun’s thigh.

“This is all because of you.”

“Why me?”

“Because you went to DH [designated hitter], Seon-ho *hyung* got pushed to the outfield.”

“It’s not like I wanted to go to DH…”

“Then you shouldn’t have gotten hurt.”

“It’s not like I wanted to get hurt. Don’t make someone who’s hurt feel even worse.”

Seo Il-hyuk, who was packing his catcher’s gear, raised his voice.

“Don’t say anything to Seok-hyun. Seok-hyun needs to rest a bit so I can play too.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“I want to try FA [free agency] too. Huh?”

Song Seok-hyun wrinkled his nose.

Kim Jung-ryul ruffled Song Seok-hyun’s hair.

“Looking at the situation. Are you in good condition?”

“Yes. You saw me practicing earlier.”

“Yeah, the ball was flying. But you heard what the coach said earlier, right? Take it easy. Don’t swing wildly trying to hit a home run and get hurt again. Take it easy.”

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

Yoo Seon-ho came back to the bench just in time for the game to start.

Seeing this, Lee Ji-sung muttered to himself.

“Looks like there’s someone else who needs to take it easy…”

* * *

-Play ball

Top of the 1st inning.

Goat’s leadoff hitter was not Lee Ji-sung.

“Kang Beom-jae is coming up.”

“Twenty-two years old. A promising prospect that Goat is carefully nurturing. His batting average in the minor leagues fluctuates between the late .200s and early .300s, but his speed is the best in the team. Unofficially, he runs 100m in 11 seconds.”

“100m in 11 seconds? Isn’t that incredibly fast?”

“Of course. That’s among the fastest in the league. If his hitting improves, he’s a key prospect that Goat should focus on developing.”

Fox’s pitcher is Benjamin Deger.

Kang Beom-jae walked after a full count, reaching first base.

“Benjamin Deger has a high ERA [earned run average] but doesn’t usually give up many walks, but he’s giving up a walk to the first batter.”

“Looking at Kang Beom-jae’s record, he had an on-base percentage of over .450 in the minor leagues this season. That’s in the top 3 in the minor league.”

“He has a very good eye.”

Deger gave up a hit to Seol Jin-il, putting runners on first and third with no outs. He then walked Kim In-hwan, loading the bases with no outs.

“Not good. The momentum is not good. He’s set the table too grandly for Song Seok-hyun.”

“Deger’s strength is his control, but even that isn’t shining today.”

As Song Seok-hyun stepped into the batter’s box, Goat fans rose from their seats.

The sound, made purely by human voices without amplifiers.

“Grand! Slam! Home! Run! Song! Seok! Hyun!”

Sajik Stadium echoed loudly.

“Hoo.”

Song Seok-hyun lightly gripped his bat.

Pitcher Benjamin Deger is a three-quarter pitcher [referring to the arm angle used when throwing].

His breaking ball that curves horizontally is good.

Deger’s go-to pitch is also a slider.

He occasionally mixes in a changeup, but both the drop and speed are unremarkable.

The only pitch to aim for is the fastball.

It’s a matter of whether you get fooled by the outside slider or not.

Whack!

-Ball. Outside.

“Song Seok-hyun takes the first pitch.”

“The slider was way outside. It seems Deger is nervous.”

Song Seok-hyun shrugged his shoulders once.

In a bases-loaded situation, both the hitter and the pitcher are bound to be nervous.

“Take it easy, take it easy. You’re scaring me.”

Fox’s catcher Park Jin-hwan said to him.

“I have to make a living too.”

“Deger needs to renew his contract next year. He has three kids, three.”

Deger’s next pitch was an outside fastball.

-Strike.

“That pitch was very well placed. It went right to the outside corner.”

“Deger’s precise control is shining here.”

The third pitch was a slider, ball.

The fourth pitch was a foul.

“2-2. Deger has worked the count well.”

“This is the real deal. Song Seok-hyun rarely strikes out. The important thing is whether he can throw an inside pitch here or not.”

“An inside pitch?”

“Yes. Song Seok-hyun hasn’t been back from injury for long, right? He’ll be uncomfortable with pitches coming inside. A pro should know how to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses.”

Catcher Park Jin-hwan signaled.

‘Inside fastball.’

Deger shook his head.

‘Outside slider?’

Deger nodded.

Park Jin-hwan narrowed his brows.

The moment Deger threw the ball, Song Seok-hyun started his swing.

Thwack.

“To right-center! A hit that pierces right-center! The runner from third scores, the runner from second also scores. The runner from first stops at third, and the batter stops at second. An RBI [runs batted in] double by Song Seok-hyun.”

“That time, the ball didn’t break properly. Those ambiguous pitches don’t work against Song Seok-hyun. If you’re going to throw it outside, throw it *hwakshilhi* [definitely/clearly] outside, and if you’re going to throw it inside, throw it *hwakshilhi* inside.”

“Goat takes the lead again, making it 2-0, 2-0.”

Deger gave up a hit to Yoo Seon-ho as well, ending the first inning with a score of 4-0.

Park Jin-hwan, returning to the bench, spoke to Deger with an interpreter.

“If the outside pitch is going to work, you need to throw one or two inside pitches to make the opponent aware. If you keep throwing it outside, it’s too easy for the opponent to aim for. You didn’t throw a changeup today, and your slider isn’t breaking well, so you need to use the inside pitch more.”

“Okay, okay.”

“Did you understand?”

Deger nodded and wiped his face with a towel.

Park Jin-hwan sighed deeply, looking at Deger.

“I wonder if he’s even listening to me.”

In the bottom of the 1st inning, Goat’s starting pitcher, sidearm pitcher Jung Chun-woon, took the mound.

Song Seok-hyun sat on the bench, watching the battery combination [pitcher and catcher] of Jung Chun-woon and Seo Il-hyuk.

First batter Park Chan-hee grounded out on the first-pitch changeup.

Second batter Kim Hyung-nam grounded out on the third-pitch slider.

Third batter Kim Kyung-shim got a hit.

The whole process took less than five minutes.

“Il-hyuk senior’s lead is good…”

As Song Seok-hyun licked his lips, Kim Jung-ryul pinched Song Seok-hyun’s cheek.

“Ah!”

“Why are you so envious? Jealous?”

“No. It’s not like that.”

“Then watch comfortably. We’re on the same team. He’s not going to take your spot. Why are you so anxious?”

Song Seok-hyun pointed a finger at himself.

“Was I anxious?”

“Yes, you were.”

Song Seok-hyun gave a wry smile.

“It’s also hard just being on the bench when our team is defending. It feels like I’m committing a sin.”

Jung Chun-woon struck out fourth batter Choi Jae-guk.

“Nice!”

“Good job!”

All the Goat players stood up and applauded.

Song Seok-hyun also smiled broadly.

“These days, it’s easier to watch Chun-woon senior’s games.”

“He does so well without making a fuss.”

“The game is faster because he doesn’t give up walks.”

The gap between the two teams began to widen from the beginning.

Deger was taken off the mound in the top of the 3rd inning after allowing a grand slam to Kim In-hwan.

Jung Chun-woon also faced a crisis after being hit with a three-run home run, but he only gave up three runs through the 5th inning.

Bottom of the 5th inning, the score was 11-3.

As cleaning time approached [referring to the point in the game where it’s clear who will win, and fans start leaving], Fox fans packed their bags and left early.

6th inning, 7th inning, 8th inning, 9th inning.

Goat scored in every inning, winning overwhelmingly with a score of 17-5.

“Goat has won another big victory against Fox today. With this, Fox is falling deeper into a losing streak.”

“Goat has gained a lot from today’s game. Song Seok-hyun didn’t hit a home run, but he had three hits, signaling that he’s in great condition, and Jung Chun-woon earned a complete game win with 99 pitches, proving that the title of the league’s best fifth starter is not just empty words. In these times, complete games and shutouts are really rare.”

“Fox fans are getting more worried. I don’t know when they’ll shake off their slump.”

“Goat won today’s game, but Pegasus also won their game, so the game difference hasn’t narrowed. But they’re still only 2 games behind first place. It’s a gap they can overturn at any time.”

“At this rate, Pegasus must be feeling the pressure. Goat’s fierce pursuit is scary.”

“But tomorrow will be a crucial test for Goat. Jung Jin-oh is scheduled to start tomorrow. He’s been pitching well recently, but he lacks inning-eating ability [ability to pitch for many innings] and experience in the KBO [Korean Baseball Organization] league. If he can’t withstand Fox’s strong lineup, the gap between Goat and Pegasus could widen.”

“Tomorrow is an important turning point.”

“Yes. If they win until tomorrow, the next starter will be ace Fish. Goat will become a tiger with wings [idiomatic expression meaning they will become much stronger].”

Back at the dorm, Song Seok-hyun couldn’t fall asleep and tossed and turned until dawn.

Kim In-hwan, who woke up to go to the bathroom, saw Song Seok-hyun and spoke to him.

“Why? Can’t sleep?”

Rising to Success as a Catcher

Nothing Can Stop Us (3)

Past midnight.

Song Seok-hyun and Kim In-hwan went to a cafe with a view of the sea and faced each other.

“The night sea is nice.”