Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 259

259. Dream Agency Tryouts (3)

Due to the large number of participating players, the tryout was divided into 10 groups.

The first test was a 4km run.

As with most tryouts, passing required finishing within 20 minutes.

This was to assess not only their ability to maintain their physical condition but also whether they had the basic stamina expected of a professional athlete.

Both were fundamental requirements for any professional player.

“Alright, start!”

The test began as the players in Group 1 set off.

The players started the race at their own pace.

Huff. Huff. Huff.

After five laps around the 400m track, the players’ heavy breathing could be heard.

Despite the cool weather, sweat was already streaming down their faces.

Some players started to fall behind, losing their pace as they gasped for air.

“Don’t give up! You can do it! You can do it!”

Agency staff, including Jung In-gyu and Lee Ju-hyuk, clapped and cheered to encourage the struggling players.

Encouraged by the support, the players gritted their teeth and did their best.

Perhaps due to my earnest request in the video, more players were finishing steadily compared to typical tryouts.

“Whew! That’s it for here.”

Nevertheless, as expected, some players inevitably failed to pass the first stage.

Various reasons were given for failing the test.

“I recently injured my ankle, so the result was bad just for today.”

“I’ve been practicing mainly for short distances. I’m probably the best at sprints.”

“I can throw 150km/h [approximately 93 mph]. Please decide after seeing me throw just once.”

Players who didn’t finish within 20 minutes grabbed Jung In-gyu, busy explaining their situations.

“You must pass within the time limit to be eligible for the second test.”

Of course, as forewarned, no reason could excuse failing to meet the requirements.

After the races for all 10 groups were completed, the physical fitness test concluded.

Approximately 20% of the players failed to complete the run within the allotted time.

Naturally, they were immediately eliminated without exception.

It was not pleasant to see a significant number of players packing their bags and trudging out of the stadium.

All these scenes were captured by the filming crew’s cameras.

Immediately afterward, the remaining 250 or so players underwent the first skills test.

The test was divided into pitching, batting, and fielding for pitchers and hitters, respectively.

Pitchers were evaluated on their basic control, while hitters were assessed on their hitting and fielding abilities.

Quite a few players were notified of their elimination after the skills test.

After the first test, the number of players was reduced to 150.

* * *

After the first skills test, it was lunchtime.

Nutritious lunch boxes were provided for the players who were exhausted from the test.

Thanks to the generous support from the sponsoring company, there was plenty of food.

Sandwiches were also set out for snacks at any time.

My agency staff, professional club scouts, and I also had lunch boxes.

While the players were eating lunch and taking a break, the agency staff were busy dividing the groups.

The players who passed the first test were gathered, divided into pitchers and fielders, and assigned to their respective positions.

The focus was on giving each player ample opportunity to showcase their abilities.

Now it was time for the second test: the practical game.

The players who passed the first test gathered again on time.

I picked up the microphone and went up to the platform.

“Well, you’ve worked hard on the physical fitness test and the skills test. Now, we’ll move on to the second practical game test.”

I took a breath and continued.

“This test isn’t just about whether the result is good or bad. We plan to judge based on whether you have enough basic skills to become a player. So, don’t be too nervous and show as much of what you’ve prepared as possible.”

“Yes!”

“If you go to the back, you’ll see the groups divided according to your positions. Don’t miss your turn and be prepared. Then, we’ll start the second test on each field at exactly the hour.”

At the end of my speech, the players, after checking their names, moved to their respective groups.

At the appointed time, the games started simultaneously on two fields.

It was time for the professional clubs’ scouting teams to get busy in earnest.

Jung In-gyu and I went around each field, watching the players’ games directly.

The first place we arrived at had one of the players I had encountered earlier as the starting pitcher.

-My experience playing baseball in the Mexican League has been a great help.

Whack!

Whack!

It was impressive how confidently he threw the ball.

Just looking at him pitching on the mound now, he didn’t seem much different from when I saw him in the professional league a few years ago.

“Even if he’s older and has a gap, a professional is still different.”

Jung In-gyu clicked his tongue and exclaimed.

“I don’t know what the process was like during his FA [Free Agent] period that he didn’t get a contract and left, but just getting FA qualification while continuing to get opportunities in the professional league is amazing.”

“If that senior had met our CEO before signing his FA contract, wouldn’t things be completely different now?”

“Maybe so.”

I replied with a faint smile.

Whoosh-

“Strike!”

The batter, completely thrown off, swung his bat in vain.

“Wow! What’s that pitch? I’ve never seen it before?”

Jung In-gyu clapped his hands but tilted his head.

“I heard he’s been practicing a knuckleball. Is that it?”

“Really? That’s amazing. Did he practice a new pitch while he was in Mexico?”

“It’s hard to survive as a pro by doing the same thing. He must have tried something new.”

Whoosh-

“Strike out!”

The batter, impatient with the unfavorable count, swung his bat in vain again.

He continued to show good pitching without holding back.

Because he was a well-known player, the scouts watched him even more seriously.

I also watched him closely.

Even if he doesn’t get picked by a professional club this time, it seemed likely that he would join our agency’s training program.

I could feel that he was a player who could be a good mentor not only for himself but also for other players.

And there was another player who was showing just as good performance.

-I want to make good use of my failed experience in the United States and perform well on the Korean stage.

It was that hitter who had returned from his time in the United States.

Even though he didn’t establish himself in the United States and returned, it didn’t seem difficult for him to stand out in a tryout with amateur players.

Thwack!

He not only hit a solid hit in batting,

Whack!

“Out!”

He also showed a fielding play as a shortstop that made people exclaim.

Every time he showed a move, the scouts could be seen busily recording something.

In addition to the two well-known players, there were often rough diamonds that caught the eye.

Also, even if their skills weren’t quite at the professional level, there were often players who were not lacking in fighting spirit.

Tink!

A mis-hit ball soared high into the sky.

The third baseman, looking up, followed the ball.

It was getting closer and closer to the dugout.

Nevertheless, the third baseman’s eyes were only on the ball.

“Uh?”

Whump!

The moment he stretched out his arm and caught the ball with his glove,

his body, caught on the dugout fence, was losing balance and falling over.

“Catch him! Catch him!”

The players who rushed over struggled to support his falling body.

“That was close.”

It was a situation that could have led to a major accident.

Even I, who was watching from afar, had cold sweat running down my back.

On the other hand, the player who almost fell had a beaming smile on his face.

The inning ended, and the game continued with a large number of new players appearing.

Thwack!

The ball hit by the batter’s bat flew out to the outfield.

It was heading to the left.

Because the launch angle was high, it was a ball that the left fielder could easily catch.

But,

“Uh?”

The left fielder’s timing for the first start was not fast, so it was close.

Fortunately, he managed to catch it before the ball fell.

“Out!”

The left fielder, with a bright smile, threw the ball to the infielder.

And the immediately following ball also headed to the left fielder.

Again, it was a ball that he could easily catch,

“Uh?”

This time, the left fielder had to move quickly because he was late in making his first start.

“Out!”

He managed to catch the ball with difficulty, but there was no sense of stability in the process of fielding.

“That player doesn’t seem to be able to judge the ball very well?”

“He must be very nervous.”

A sigh escaped from my mouth with a feeling of regret.

“Even if he’s nervous, with that level of outfield defense, it’s going to be tough, right?”

“Well…….”

To put it bluntly, it was an undeniable fact.

After that, the game continued.

Whack!

“Strike out!”

There was a pitcher who struck out with a powerful ball,

Thwack!

“Home run!”

I could also see a hitter who sent a ball flying over the fence with a solid swing.

Every time these plays came out, the eyes of the professional club scouts sparkled as they recorded something.

Before long, the inning ended, and it was cleaning time.

To prevent the players from not being able to show their full potential due to the condition of the field, they were groomed more often than usual.

The game was stopped for a while, and officials came out onto the field and busily groomed the dirt.

Now I moved to go to another stadium.

As I was walking to the stadium next to it,

I noticed the left fielder who had been making unstable plays.

I wanted to give a little encouragement to the player who must be nervous, so I approached him.

And I tapped him lightly on the shoulder and said,

“Are you very nervous?”

As expected, the information window was visible to him as well.

I was about to turn my head and say something else to him, but

I couldn’t help but be embarrassed to see the contents in the information window.