Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 227

227. The Place I Found Again (3)

Since it was our second spring training, the process went much smoother than last year.

Jung In-gyu’s well-structured training program was nearly perfect, satisfying all the players.

Moreover, he updated the program in real-time based on what he deemed necessary during the training, making the effects even more pronounced.

And Oh Seok-hoon also gradually started batting and fielding practice.

Jung In-gyu, having been informed that he would change his play style, quickly created a program tailored for Oh Seok-hoon.

So Young-joon and Michael Scott had more free time than the other players, keeping themselves busy traveling around.

Instead, they participated in training with excessive enthusiasm.

As a result, even though there were more days off than last year, the training results were much better.

During this training, sufficient free time was also given to other players, most of whom spent their time doing voluntary extra training or playing foot volleyball.

It was already the 10th day since the start of spring training.

While proceeding with the training program as usual, Choi Woo-jin approached me and cautiously asked.

“Manager, would there be a chance for me to throw to the senior batters?”

“You want to throw batting practice?”

“I learned a changeup from Go Ji-hoon this time. I’ve only been practicing alone, so I don’t know if it’s really good. If the senior batters are okay with it, I’d like to test it out.”

“You don’t want to just throw batting practice, but real pitching?”

“Yes.”

Choi Woo-jin nodded with expectant eyes.

“But if you just learned it, shouldn’t you practice more?”

“Ji-hoon said it’s pretty good. It feels good when I throw it, but I’m curious if it really works.”

Choi Woo-jin’s voice was full of confidence.

“Oh, really? Let’s do it then. It will be helpful for the batters too.”

“Nice!”

Choi Woo-jin clenched his fist and expressed his happiness.

Michael Scott, who was passing by me and Choi Woo-jin, must have understood our conversation, as he raised his hand.

“My boss, I want to throw too.”

“Scott, are you in good condition? There’s no need to overdo it. You can pitch slowly.”

“I’m in good enough condition now. I don’t think there will be any problems if I don’t throw at full power. My body has been itching to throw anyway.”

Unlike my worried eyes, Scott’s expression was bright.

“But you have to tell me right away if you feel even a little bit unwell.”

“Okay, my boss.”

Scott gave a thumbs up and replied.

“I’ll catch.”

Han Gyo-jin was already wearing his catcher’s gear and approaching us.

“Now that our agency even has a professional catcher, I feel reassured.”

Han Gyo-jin gave an embarrassed smile at my words.

“Then warm up and get ready. I’ll bring the batters.”

As I left, Choi Woo-jin moved to the bullpen pitching area with Han Gyo-jin and began warming up for live pitching.

I could feel excitement in Choi Woo-jin’s expression.

* * *

While Jung In-gyu and Lee Joo-hyuk were setting up the mound for batting practice, I conveyed the information to the batters.

Park Seong-joo, So Young-joon, Seo Seong-min, and Donald Watson came out to the field with their bats and equipment.

Oh Seok-hoon was doing rehabilitation training in another training area.

Choi Woo-jin and Han Gyo-jin, who had already finished warming up, were waiting on the mound and at home plate.

So Young-joon, who came out first, looked at Choi Woo-jin on the mound and said.

“Oh, I think it’s the first time I’m facing Woo-jin. Let’s see how good the ace of Sucheon High is.”

“Senior, please go easy on me. I’m still a student.”

“Hey, there are no students in baseball.”

So Young-joon gave Choi Woo-jin a playful smile.

As the players gathered, I clapped once and addressed them.

“We’re going to start batting practice now. For your information, Woo-jin will be mixing in breaking balls. I haven’t set a number of pitches, but if I think it’s time to rest, I’ll stop it immediately.”

“Yes.”

The batters answered in unison with Choi Woo-jin.

“Then who wants to bat first?”

“I’ll go first. I wanted to face Woo-jin.”

The first player to come out with a bat was Park Seong-joo.

He swung his bat vigorously a few times and approached the plate.

“Oh, I’m facing the Buffaloes’ cleanup hitter [the batter who typically hits after the first three batters in the lineup].”

Choi Woo-jin, seeing this, opened his mouth in excitement and prepared to throw the ball.

While Park Seong-joo was preparing at the plate, I approached Choi Woo-jin.

“Woo-jin, you know you can’t throw at full power right now, right? No matter how good your condition is, you have to throw with ease.”

“Of course. I won’t put any strain on my body.”

“Okay, then start.”

I went down the mound after hearing Choi Woo-jin’s energetic answer.

A relaxed smile was on Park Seong-joo’s face at the plate.

Han Gyo-jin sent a sign to Choi Woo-jin.

Choi Woo-jin’s eyes sparkled as if he were on the mound in a real game.

And now, raising his right leg, he threw the first ball.

Park Seong-joo didn’t move at all, waiting as if he had no intention of hitting the first ball.

Pop!

“Strike!”

Since there was no umpire, Han Gyo-jin called it himself.

“Wow. Was that ball really a strike?”

Park Seong-joo watched the trajectory of the past ball and asked Han Gyo-jin with his mouth wide open.

“I think it’s fair to say it came in right on the edge.”

Han Gyo-jin’s answer was full of confidence.

“That’s no joke, huh?”

“Senior, I’ve caught Woo-jin’s pitches during practice. You shouldn’t underestimate him.”

“Oh, really? Sounds fun.”

Park Seong-joo still had a smile on his face.

Now the second ball.

Pop!

“Ball!”

This time, he threw a curveball that dropped sharply to the ground.

Park Seong-joo tried to move his bat slightly but stopped abruptly.

1 ball, 1 strike.

Now the third ball.

Choi Woo-jin looked at Han Gyo-jin’s sign and carefully changed his grip.

As a high fastball came flying in, Park Seong-joo’s bat swung powerfully.

Tick!

The mis-hit ball flew backward.

1 ball, 2 strikes.

“Wow, it’s hard to hit it properly.”

As he was driven into an unfavorable count, the smile disappeared from Park Seong-joo’s face.

And the following ball.

Judging that it was a fastball again, Park Seong-joo swung his bat with all his might.

However, the ball was slowing down rapidly as it flew and falling to a distant course from Park Seong-joo.

Whoosh-

The ball was caught in the mitt only after the bat had completely swung.

“Strike out!”

Han Gyo-jin shouted loudly.

“Wow! Nice pitching!”

The players who were watching opened their mouths wide and applauded.

“Nice!”

Choi Woo-jin clenched his fist on the mound and rejoiced.

On the other hand, Park Seong-joo looked dazed and re-examined the trajectory of the ball.

“What was that ball you just threw?”

“I learned a circle changeup this time. It’s the first time I’ve thrown it.”

Choi Woo-jin answered with a beaming smile.

“The pitching form is exactly the same as the fastball, and the angle of the drop is also large?”

Park Seong-joo still looked blank as if he couldn’t believe it.

Han Gyo-jin, who was smiling at this sight from the side, added a word.

“If Woo-jin’s fastball velocity gets a little faster here, it might not be easy to attack.”

“Let’s do it again. I have to do it right.”

Park Seong-joo, nodding his head, sent a look full of competitive spirit and took his batting stance again.

Then So Young-joon shouted at Park Seong-joo.

“Seong-joo, come out first. There are many people waiting behind you.”

“Senior, let me try one more time.”

Park Seong-joo couldn’t leave the plate, full of regret.

“Do a full rotation and then do it. Woo-jin has a limit on the number of pitches.”

Eventually, So Young-joon approached and took him out.

“Hoo- I think I underestimated Woo-jin too much.”

Park Seong-joo had no choice but to leave the plate with his head bowed.

And now it was Donald Watson’s turn.

Watson stood at the plate, swinging his bat.

“Wow, I’m facing a major leaguer.”

Choi Woo-jin’s face on the mound was full of anticipation.

Only for a moment,

From the moment he received Han Gyo-jin’s sign, his eyes changed as if he were playing a real game.

The ball that left Choi Woo-jin’s hand seemed to be going far from Watson, but it sharply penetrated the strike zone.

Pop!

“Strike!”

He succeeded in throwing an outside course slider for a strike against a right-handed batter.

Watson tried not to show his expression, but he couldn’t completely erase his surprise.

And the second ball that followed.

Choi Woo-jin seemed to be trying to induce a swing by throwing a fastball on a high course that was out of the strike zone.

But the ball was flying not as high as he thought.

Watson, who didn’t miss this, swung his bat with all his might.

Thwack!

The batted ball stretched out toward the outfield.

“Oooooh!”

The players who were watching exclaimed and couldn’t take their eyes off the flying ball.

“Ah…….”

Choi Woo-jin covered his mouth with his glove, watching the flying ball as if he had sensed his mistake.

Eventually, the batted ball flying at high speed went over the fence.

“Home run!”

Watson raised his bat and briefly expressed his joy before approaching the mound.

“Choi, your ball is really good. If it wasn’t for the mistake, it would have been a strikeout.”

“You’re a major leaguer for a reason.”

Watson gave a thumbs up to Choi Woo-jin, who couldn’t stop admiring him, and went down the mound.

Immediately after, he faced off against So Young-joon.

Choi Woo-jin also tested his changeup in various ways this time.

So Young-joon picked out the balls and cut off the strikes, continuing the match tenaciously.

He even hit a foul home run, raising the atmosphere as if it were a real game.

Eventually, he struck out swinging at a changeup.

Soon after, the match with Seo Seong-min and the rematch with Park Seong-joo followed immediately.

The balls that pierced the corners were impressive, but he ended up getting hits due to occasional mistakes.

Perhaps that’s why I could feel that he was gradually putting more strength into it.

As So Young-joon tried to enter the plate again, I waved my hand and stopped him.

“Let’s stop here for Woo-jin. It seems like it would be too much to throw more than this today.”

Regret could not be hidden in Choi Woo-jin’s expression.

“Is it already that time? I think it would be okay to throw a little more?”

“We still have a lot of spring training left. There will be more opportunities to do it a few more times.”

“I’ll practice more and strike everyone out next time.”

Choi Woo-jin smiled brightly and went down the mound.

It was clear that Choi Woo-jin had grown once again with this pitching.

And now Michael Scott approached the mound with a smile revealing his white teeth.

“Now it’s my turn. Let’s all have fun.”

“Okay, I’ll go out first against Scott!”

So Young-joon, as if he had been waiting, jumped out with the bat he was holding.

“Ooh, So. I wanted to compete again anyway.”

Scott also looked at So Young-joon with sparkling eyes.

They were the best of friends outside the stadium, but on the baseball field, they were just one of the opposing players.

While Scott was lightly warming up on the mound, So Young-joon was watching him at the plate.

It was just practice batting, but tension began to flow on the mound and at the plate.