On The Rise As A Catcher [EN]: Chapter 179

“That’s rich coming from you, pal.”

“It’s frustrating to be caught off guard like this.”

“Pro baseball is where the best of the best in the country gather. Everyone was a top-five player nationally in their youth. Do you think it’s going to be easy?”

“I should have at least gotten a hit, but a double play is the worst.”

“If you only got hits every time, it wouldn’t be baseball, it would be fraud.”

Lee Baek-chan’s expression was relaxed as he stepped onto the mound.

The double-lidded eyes that had seemed dull were now full of life.

At the plate was the number two hitter, Kang Kyun-seung.

From the very first pitch, Lee Baek-chan threw one close to Kang Kyun-seung’s body.

Clang!

Kang Kyun-seung swung as the ball entered the strike zone, but it popped high into the infield.

“Mine!”

The shortstop raised his hand and caught the ball.

-Out!

“Out! One out with one pitch! Lee Baek-chan is pitching efficiently.”

“Usually, when pitchers face a long offensive inning, their shoulders cool down, and they struggle more in the next inning. But today, Lee Baek-chan is the opposite. He’s even more energetic.”

“It’s like he’s throwing the ball for the first time.”

“Kang Kyun-seung needs to get on base, but he can’t seem to do it. If he could just get on base, he could shake up Lee Baek-chan.”

“Even though he’s said to be weak in base running, if Lee Baek-chan keeps pitching like that, there won’t be any opportunities to run.”

“The next batter is Jung Dae-han. He’s a left-handed hitter who hits right-handed pitchers well. He’s also a fast runner, and the next batter is the number four hitter, Jo Yang-cheol, so they need to be cautious.”

“He threw the ball before I could even finish speaking. It’s a ball.”

Lee Baek-chan caught the ball thrown by the catcher, took a breath, and immediately threw again.

Crack.

Jung Dae-han hit the ball, but it connected with the bottom of the bat.

Lee Baek-chan caught the ball and tossed it to first base.

It was an out.

“Two outs with three pitches. Lee Baek-chan is showing really efficient pitching.”

“The Scorpions need to be a little more careful. They’re getting caught up in Lee Baek-chan’s tempo. There’s no need to swing so quickly. It’s important to wait for your pitch.”

“This at-bat is for the number four hitter, Jo Yang-cheol.”

Clang!

“First pitch swing! Center fielder, center fielder, the center fielder comes out and catches it. He tried to hit the high fastball, but the ball didn’t go far and only went high. With that, Lee Baek-chan gets three outs with four pitches. Really efficient pitching.”

“The Scorpions are completely caught up. Completely caught up. They need to be calm, but they can’t be calm because Lee Baek-chan is coming out aggressively.”

In the bottom of the 7th inning, the Goats added a run with two consecutive hits after Yoo Seon-ho’s walk.

Scorpions’ manager Lee Geon-hoo immediately changed the pitcher.

The new pitcher shut down the bases-loaded situation with no outs, proving the Scorpions’ formidable bullpen (group of relief pitchers).

At the top of the 8th inning, shortstop Kim Se-gyun called the players together.

“We need to focus. The Goats are catching up one point at a time. Don’t give up any points easily. And hitters.”

“Yes.”

“I’d rather you strike out than swing blindly. Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Understood.”

“Don’t rush, be calm. Watch each pitch. Got it?”

“Yes!”

“It’s Lee Baek-chan. Do you want to be toyed with by a rookie like him?”

“No!”

“Focus, focus.”

“Yes, understood.”

The next batter for the Scorpions was left-handed hitter Go Won-seong.

The result of Go Won-seong’s at-bat was a three-pitch strikeout.

“What is he doing?”

Manager Lee Geon-hoo, who usually didn’t say much, let out a hollow laugh.

“Who just stands there and watches three straight fastballs?”

The next batter was the fearsome number six hitter, Jo Cheol-woong.

After giving up two strikes with two fastballs, Jo Cheol-woong swung and missed at a slider, resulting in a strikeout.

“What are they doing… Tell them to swing when it comes into the strike zone.”

“Yes, manager.”

Following the manager’s instructions, number seven hitter Do Ji-hwan grounded out on the first-pitch slider.

Lee Geon-hoo pursed his lips and exhaled sharply through his nose.

After the top of the 8th inning.

Yoo Seon-ho called the players together.

“Hey, guys.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t think about a comeback, just hit the good pitches and let the bad ones go. It’s okay to strike out, just don’t swing at pitches you don’t like. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“It’s the 8th inning now. If we get a double play here, the game’s over. You don’t have to hit a big one, just think about getting on base. Got it?”

“Yes, understood.”

“Okay, let’s do it. Come on, gather around. Put your hands together. You know how to do it, right?”

“Yes!”

The players put their hands together.

“Goats, Goats, Goats!”

Yoo Seon-ho raised his hand.

“Let’s go!”

The players lowered their hands.

“Let’s go!”

Yoo Seon-ho made a dumbfounded expression, and the players chuckled.

Yoo Seon-ho put his hands on his hips and raised his voice.

“What do you think you’re doing, looking down on a senior who’s higher than the sky? If you don’t come back today, you’re dead to me. Got it!”

“Yes!”

The bottom of the 8th inning started with Lee Ji-seong.

The Scorpions changed pitchers again.

“Seong Hoon-gi is coming down. Is it because Lee Ji-seong is a left-handed hitter that they’re taking out the sidearm pitcher Seong Hoon-gi?”

“Yes. That could be it, but for the Scorpions to take out Seong Hoon-gi here is like a declaration that they’re going to win this game no matter what.”

“Seong Hoon-gi is coming down, and Tak Gi-deok is coming up. The Scorpions’ closer. They’re making a bold move by bringing in closer Tak Gi-deok from the 8th inning.”

“The Goats’ pursuit is fierce. Lee Geon-hoo is reacting even more fiercely.”

Tak Gi-deok showed his practice pitches.

The sound of the ball hitting the mitt was thunderous.

“Tak Gi-deok is a pitcher who throws a splitter well. He says he mixes forkballs and splitters, but anyway, he’s amazing at throwing a breaking ball [a pitch that doesn’t travel straight].”

“Closer Tak Gi-deok is already thirty-two years old, but he already has over 200 saves. At this pace, 300 saves won’t be difficult.”

Lee Ji-seong reacted to Tak Gi-deok’s first pitch, but he swung and missed.

He also swung and missed at the second pitch, a fastball.

“Lee Ji-seong can’t keep up with the ball.”

“Tak Gi-deok’s splitter is good, but the best thing is still that fastball. A straight fastball. Even if he only throws fastballs, it’s hard for hitters to hit.”

Lee Ji-seong swung and missed at Tak Gi-deok’s splitter, resulting in a strikeout.

Seol Jin-il also struck out.

“As expected, it’s Tak Gi-deok. His strikeout pace is scary.”

“If there’s one player who’s the scariest today, it’s Kim In-hwan. I’m curious to see what Tak Gi-deok will do against Kim In-hwan. Will it be a head-on battle? Or will he try to avoid the confrontation?”

Tak Gi-deok’s first pitch was an outside fastball.

Kim In-hwan swung and missed.

“Kim In-hwan’s bat is late. That means Tak Gi-deok’s ball is that good, right?”

“Tak Gi-deok’s ball is good, but his pitching form is also tricky. It’s harder to time because of that stance where he seems to stop in the middle.”

Tak Gi-deok’s second pitch was a forkball.

There was a hand’s breadth between Kim In-hwan’s bat and the ball.

“Wow.”

Kim In-hwan shook his head.

“Awesome.”

Tak Gi-deok’s final pitch was a forkball.

Kim In-hwan couldn’t resist and swung the bat.

-Strike! Out!

“Strikeout! Tak Gi-deok definitely cuts off the Goats’ pursuit with an amazing performance.”

“As expected, it’s Tak Gi-deok. That’s Tak Gi-deok. You can call him the best closer in existence.”

“With that, the bottom of the 8th inning ends. Today’s game is really long. It’s long. In the beginning, I thought the Scorpions would win easily, but the Goats’ pursuit is fierce.”

“The Goats aren’t just a team with explosive power. They’re a really tenacious team.”

Song Seok-hyun, who was waiting in the on-deck circle, put his bat on his shoulder.

“There are so many people who are good at baseball.”

Rising High as a Catcher

Genius (6)

“It’s already the 9th inning.”

“Yes, it’s already the 9th inning.”

“But Lee Baek-chan is still standing on the mound.”

“We overlooked it because today’s game is so tense, but I didn’t expect Lee Baek-chan to be standing here in the 9th inning.”

“The Scorpions have brought up four pitchers today, but the Goats have only brought up two pitchers so far. Lee Baek-chan has been on a scoreless streak since giving up one run.”

Top of the 9th inning.

Lee Baek-chan was standing on the mound.

The Goats’ pitching coach, Yeon Woo-shik, was looking at Lee Baek-chan with a satisfied smile.

“Anyway, there’s definitely been a result today. It’s been proven that Baek-chan is at least good enough to make it in the first team.”

Manager Ham Seong-hoon nodded.

“If he gains more experience, he could be a starter.”

The Scorpions’ attack started with the number eight hitter.

Manager Lee Geon-hoo instructed the players to attack calmly.

The result was a three-pitch strikeout.

Lee Baek-chan threw fastballs into the zone without a single ball.

“Three-pitch strikeout! Lee Baek-chan strikes out with a ball over 150km/h [kilometers per hour]. It seems like it took a little over a minute to get the strikeout. Today, Lee Baek-chan’s pitching tempo is at a heart rate of 200. I’m out of breath just commentating.”

The number nine hitter was catcher Gu Seung-cheol.

Gu Seung-cheol waited for the first pitch and then aimed for the second pitch.

Clang!

The ball went well to the right-center field.

Gu Seung-cheol ran to first base with ease.

Tap, tap, tap, tap!

“Lee Ji-seong, Lee Ji-seong, Lee Ji-seong! Catches it! He catches that! Lee Ji-seong’s super save! He catches that ball!”

“Lee Ji-seong’s range is really amazing. It’s like watching his prime again.”

“I definitely thought that ball would get through, but he catches it.”

“Lee Ji-seong is really sticking a knife into his former team. Lee Baek-chan must feel secure. Lee Ji-seong has the outfield covered.”

Lee Ji-seong showed the ball and smiled brightly.

Catcher Gu Seung-cheol smiled bitterly.

“That rascal. He catches that.”

The next batter was number one hitter Hwang Gi-deok.

Seo Il-hyeok stood up from his seat as Hwang Gi-deok came out.

“Just a moment.”

Seo Il-hyeok, who called a timeout, walked to the mound.

Lee Baek-chan, not knowing why, asked Seo Il-hyeok.

“What’s wrong?”

“Baek-chan.”

“Yes.”

“Just throw it.”

“……Yes?”

Lee Baek-chan blinked.

“I’m telling you to throw it. Throw three pitches inside. It’s okay if he gets on base, just compete. At your pace today, he can’t steal even if he gets to first base. So throw with confidence. Okay?”

“Ah… Yes.”

Seo Il-hyeok patted Lee Baek-chan on the shoulder.

“You rascal. You’re growing up so fast.”

Seo Il-hyeok went down from the mound.

Lee Baek-chan was dazed for a moment, then smiled.

“What did the two players talk about?”

“Well, I can’t know for sure, but wouldn’t it be something like ‘throw with confidence’?”

“Lee Baek-chan is smiling. It seems like they had a good talk.”

“If the fast runner Hwang Gi-deok gets on base, the Goats will have a headache again. Lee Baek-chan is vulnerable to pickoff attempts. A pitching change could come here.”

Lee Baek-chan took two deep breaths.

He picked up the rosin bag and put it down, and adjusted his hat.

Lee Baek-chan lifted his leg and threw his body forward.

Bang!

-Strike!

“154km/h! His highest speed today! Lee Baek-chan has renewed his highest speed.”

“It seems like the speed gun at Jamsil is a little generous today, but it’s still amazing. His ball is faster in the 9th inning.”

“Hwang Gi-deok couldn’t do anything against Lee Baek-chan’s fastball.”

“When a ball like that comes right in on the body, there’s nothing a hitter can do.”

Hwang Gi-deok licked his dry lips.

He gripped the bat a little shorter and narrowed his stride.

Lee Baek-chan’s second pitch was an outside fastball.

Hwang Gi-deok swung.

Crack!

“Foul. It’s a foul. The bat is pushed back.”

“Lee Baek-chan hasn’t thrown many balls, so he still has strength left. No, rather, his shoulder is loosened up, so he’s throwing even better.”

Lee Baek-chan’s third pitch was a slider.

Hwang Gi-deok’s bat stopped turning.