Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 168

Dream Agency Training Camp (3)

After a short, refreshing break, we resumed training.

From this point on, our training would encompass not only physical conditioning but also comprehensive hitting and pitching drills.

We split into pitcher and hitter groups for focused practice.

The pitchers gathered in a corner of the field, beginning with stretches.

Today was designated for Go Jihoon to provide a specialized, one-on-one lesson for the pitchers.

Originally intended to assist Choi Junghwan with his control, it seemed beneficial for all pitchers to participate.

Choi Junghwan, Jang Sooyoung, Michael Scott, and Choi Woojin joined the session.

“We’re going to place these hats down one by one and try to hit them with our pitches,” Go Jihoon announced, approaching with a stack of baseball caps.

“Is this a training method you actually use, Senior?” Choi Junghwan asked, his eyes wide with amazement as he stared at the hats.

“Yeah, it’s something I often do during the season as a fun way to warm up and dial in my control.”

Go Jihoon arranged the hats in a line, starting with one at 10 meters, then 20 meters, and finally 30 meters.

“This looks like it’ll be fun,” Michael Scott commented, intrigued by the unconventional training method.

Once everything was set up, Go Jihoon addressed the players, “You have to hit each hat in order, starting with the closest one. If you miss even once, you have to start over from the beginning. I usually do this about five times before calling it good.”

Go Jihoon used exaggerated gestures, likely to ensure Michael Scott understood the instructions clearly.

“Scott, do you understand?”

“Of course.”

Michael Scott seemed to grasp the concept without any issues.

“I’ll give you a demonstration.”

Go Jihoon picked up a ball, took a deep breath, and stepped onto the makeshift pitching mound.

He nestled the ball in his glove, carefully adjusted his grip, and delivered the first pitch.

*Thwack!*

The ball lightly struck the hat 10 meters away with pinpoint accuracy, and then,

*Thwack!*

*Thwack!*

He flawlessly hit the hats at 20 and 30 meters as well.

“Wow!”

“Amazing!”

“As expected of a national team pitcher!”

The watching pitchers couldn’t help but exclaim and applaud.

Go Jihoon smiled sheepishly and, turning back to the players, continued his coaching, “This drill can improve your control, and you can also gauge your pitching balance based on the ball’s trajectory.”

“When is the best time to do this training?” Choi Junghwan asked, raising his hand.

“It’s a good way to lightly loosen your shoulders and improve your control, so it’s helpful for warming up and finding your rhythm before you start pitching seriously.”

“Can I throw with my quick motion?”

“Of course. You can use your regular game stance and throw various pitches.”

Go Jihoon answered a few more questions before commencing the full training session.

“Let’s pair up and practice.”

Choi Junghwan and Jang Sooyoung teamed up, as did Michael Scott and Choi Woojin.

The players warmed up with light catch before beginning the hat-hitting drill.

Choi Junghwan stepped up to pitch first.

Taking a deep breath, he threw the ball, but it sailed to the left of the hat.

“Ah… this is harder than I thought.”

“The way it flew indicates your body is leaning to the left, throwing off your balance. Try again, focusing on staying centered,” Go Jihoon advised.

Listening to Go Jihoon’s feedback, Choi Junghwan refocused and threw the ball.

*Thwack!*

This time, he accurately hit the hat at the 10-meter mark.

*Thwack!*

He barely managed to hit the hat at 20 meters as well.

“Oh, good,” Go Jihoon said, clapping and encouraging Choi Junghwan.

*Thud.*

He missed the last hat at 30m.

“Too bad. It was so close.”

“You’re becoming more stable with each throw, so concentrate on the feeling you get when you release the ball and throw with a smooth, controlled motion,” Go Jihoon said, placing a hand on Choi Junghwan’s shoulder.

“Yes, Senior.”

Choi Junghwan practiced his throwing stance, trying to internalize the feeling.

Go Jihoon then turned his attention to Jang Sooyoung, Choi Junghwan’s partner.

Jang Sooyoung prepared with a serious expression, as if he were pitching in a real game, and threw the ball with all his might.

*Thwack!*

*Thwack!*

*Thwack!*

“As expected, Sooyoung’s control is impeccable,” Go Jihoon said, smiling with satisfaction.

“Hitting all three is not easy, is it?”

“If the throwing distance is short, you can compensate by adjusting the position of your glove when you throw,” Go Jihoon said, patting Jang Sooyoung on the shoulder.

Choi Junghwan, who had been watching, approached Go Jihoon and Jang Sooyoung with a slightly envious expression.

“I hope my control improves soon, too.”

“Junghwan, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to have perfect control. You already have great velocity, so even if you don’t hit the corners perfectly, it will be difficult for opposing hitters to get a good swing,” Go Jihoon reassured him.

“Yes, I understand.”

“Try repeating the drill a few more times.”

After finishing the conversation, Go Jihoon moved to the side.

Michael Scott, who had finished playing catch with Choi Woojin, wore a wide smile, like a child anticipating a fun game.

“Wow, this is nerve-wracking.”

Scott started throwing the ball with all his might.

*Thud.*

*Thud.*

*Thud.*

The balls all flew with similar trajectories, but none hit the hats accurately, perhaps because he was putting too much force into his throws.

“Scott, you’re putting too much power into it right now. Slow down and focus on accuracy,” Go Jihoon advised.

“I was too nervous, Coach,” Scott admitted with an awkward smile.

“The direction is good, so your body balance is fine, but if you adjust your glove position or reduce the tension in your shoulder, you should be able to hit them well.”

“Okay, Coach,” Scott replied, nodding and giving Go Jihoon a thumbs up.

Finally, Choi Woojin threw.

“Oh!”

He accurately hit the hat at the 10-meter mark and then easily hit the hats at 20 and 30 meters as well.

“Wow, Choi! Unbelievable,” Scott exclaimed, watching from the other side of Choi Woojin, giving him a thumbs up.

“Woojin, your control is really good,” Go Jihoon added, clapping and praising Choi Woojin.

“Really? Thank you.”

“If a left-handed pitcher has this much control, he’ll be a really valuable asset.”

“But I haven’t started a game for the team yet. I’ve only pitched as a relief pitcher when the seniors have pitching limits,” Choi Woojin said with a slightly gloomy expression.

“Really? With this level of control, it seems like it would be difficult for most hitters to get a hit off you.”

“I think it’s because my velocity is too slow.”

“Woojin, what grade are you in now?”

“I’m going into my second year of high school.”

“Then you should pay more attention to your diet from now on, and if you consistently do weight training, you’ll improve even more. You know from watching the games that my velocity isn’t particularly fast either. If you train hard from now on, you’ll become an even better pitcher than me,” Go Jihoon encouraged.

“Really?”

Choi Woojin’s expression brightened at Go Jihoon’s sincere words.

Go Jihoon then shared stories from his own high school days and further encouraged Choi Woojin.

After warming up with the hat-hitting game, the pitching group also practiced hitting X’s drawn on the fence.

Go Jihoon provided feedback, analyzing each player’s results.

After the warm-up, they began pitching in earnest.

From that point on, Jung Inkyu directly observed the players’ pitching and provided feedback, continuing the training.

* * *

While the pitching group trained with Go Jihoon’s one-point lesson, the hitters were training on the other side of the field.

They gathered at the batting cage and took turns hitting.

I, Jung Inkyu, and Lee Juhyuk brought out several carts filled with balls for batting practice and fungo [a baseball practice drill where a coach hits balls to players for fielding practice].

Oh Seokhoon was the first to step up to the plate.

*Clack!*

*Clack!*

“Nice ball!”

Even though it was just the preseason, the batted balls had significant power.

Next in line, So Youngjun practiced hitting to refine his feel for the ball.

Then it was Seo Sungmin’s turn.

He started swinging from the left-handed batter’s box first.

*Clack!*

*Clack!*

Every time Seo Sungmin’s bat connected, the batted balls flew far.

“Senior, should we try training with your right hand now?” I asked, feeling a bit sorry, but Choi Woojin, who had finished warming up with the pitching group, came up and offered to throw batting practice himself.

This was beneficial for him as well, as I could observe his pitching balance while he threw.

Meanwhile, Seo Sungmin, having changed his helmet, stood in the opposite batter’s box.

Right-handed batting practice commenced immediately.

*Crack!*

*Crack!*

The sound and speed of the batted balls were noticeably different from when he was batting left-handed.

“Wow, it’s definitely different from his left hand,” one of the players commented.

“How can he hit so well with both hands?”

“Senior, don’t even mention it. Sungmin Senior has trained incredibly hard,” Oh Seokhoon said, shaking his head in response to So Youngjun’s surprised question.

“Wow, you can achieve anything with practice after all,” So Youngjun said, watching Seo Sungmin’s training with a deeply impressed expression.

And now it was Donald Watson’s turn.

“Watson, how’s your condition?”

“It’s perfect,” Watson replied with a bright smile.

While Watson stood at the plate, taking practice swings, I picked up a few balls.

The other players watched his training with eager eyes, anticipating the batting display of a major leaguer.

*Crack!*

*Crack!*

As soon as Watson’s swing began, everyone’s heads turned towards the batted ball soaring across the field.

*Crack!*

*Crack!*

“Wow! This is crazy,” Park Sungjoo exclaimed, unable to close his mouth in disbelief.

Every time he swung, the batted ball made a thunderous sound, like a home run, and traveled an incredible distance.

“Do major leaguers typically have that much power?”

Oh Seokhoon tilted his head, and So Youngjun shook his head.

“The major leagues must be full of monsters. If a player with arms that thick isn’t a home run hitter, then who is?”

“His swing posture is textbook perfect,” Oh Seokhoon said, already in study mode, meticulously analyzing Watson’s batting stance.

Na Junho also watched Watson’s batting intently.

After Watson’s batting practice concluded, the players applauded him for the impressive display.

After finishing batting practice, they moved on to fielding practice.

They divided into infielders and outfielders and practiced fielding fungo.

I and Jung Inkyu took turns swinging our bats tirelessly, sending the batted balls flying.

“Ugh!”

The players couldn’t help but groan at the relentless fungo.

The training camp progressed intensely day by day, with the pitchers’ pitching practice and the hitters’ batting and fielding practice continuing.

And so, the training camp was drawing to a close.