Pitcher’S End, Batter’S Start [EN]: Chapter 15

Before the game.

The players tensed up as the manager announced the starting lineup in the locker room.

They needed to play even one more game.

Because it increased the chances of being called up [promoted to a higher league or team].

Also, if their performance metrics were solid.

The front office might decide to start them in a higher league next year.

So, except for the established starters and pitchers, the remaining fielders desperately hoped to be in the starting lineup, but.

Lee Jungwoo was in a state of indifference.

He had been notified in advance.

‘Third baseman, huh….’

He narrowed his brows slightly.

It wasn’t just about being a hitter.

He was happy to have truly become a fielder.

But he was worried about whether he could properly handle third base defense.

‘My throwing should be decent enough.’

No matter how damaged his shoulder was.

He was still a former pitcher.

So, his accuracy was high.

Speed was a bit of a concern, but.

‘I also have a running start.’

A fielder’s throw, unlike a pitcher’s pitch, mostly involves a running start.

In the case of infielders, they sometimes have to throw from the spot when the situation becomes urgent.

But even then, they can usually take one or two steps.

‘That difference is bigger than you think.’

Even a short distance adds acceleration.

So, even if he was a slow-ball pitcher on the mound.

Once he came down 10 inches [from the pitching mound to the infield], he could throw a fastball as good as anyone else.

That’s why Lee Jungwoo wasn’t worried about his throwing, even with a shoulder injury.

‘The problem is handling and judging the batted balls. I caught them well enough in training, but you never know in a real game. I might blank out for a moment and make a bad decision.’

That was what Lee Jungwoo was concerned about.

If he spaced out and missed a ball.

That would be a disastrous setback.

First impressions are important in everything.

The fact that he was being used as a secret weapon in the lineup, moving between designated hitter and pinch hitter, was largely due to.

Making a strong impact in his first game.

But this time, it could be applied in reverse.

‘If I ruin the game by committing an error. That’s it.’

It would take much longer to get back on the field than it did now.

Lee Jungwoo, who had been looking down with a serious expression, snapped out of his thoughts when his name was called.

“And Lee will be playing third base. Now, everyone, prepare for the game.”

‘So, I’m really playing.’

As the manager finished announcing the lineup.

The players dispersed to prepare for the game, gathering in groups and murmuring.

“Lee at third?”

“Didn’t they say he was training as a shortstop? That’s what I heard.”

“They must be testing him out. It’s his first game, so it’s a bit much to put him at shortstop right away, right?”

“I guess so. But John, are you okay with that?”

“I don’t care. I was worried about my stamina running out these days anyway. I’m glad to get some rest like this.”

The fielders were surprised, but.

There wasn’t a big reaction.

Having trained together.

They had watched Lee Jungwoo’s defensive skills rapidly improve and easily handle hard-hit balls.

So, they weren’t worried about Lee Jungwoo’s skills.

At least he wouldn’t be a liability.

They were just worried about their own positions, and John, the existing third baseman who suddenly lost his spot, was indifferent.

He was getting tired, so he was grateful for the vacation.

The reserve players also didn’t show any dissatisfaction or resistance.

However, the pitchers were a little different.

“If he fumbles the ball a few times, it’ll be an infield hit.”

“Shit, if they know it’s his first game, won’t they just keep bunting?”

“Still, he used to be a pitcher, so his throwing should be amazing. Well, I don’t know about anything else yet.”

“I don’t think I can stand having him at third. Are you guys okay with that?”

“If it doesn’t work out, the manager will replace him. Well, I’m worried too, but.”

Lee Jungwoo starting was now taken for granted.

But playing as a fielder, especially an infielder, was a different story.

A hitter can’t ruin the entire game, no matter how bad they are.

But a defender who is a liability can ruin the game.

That’s why the pitchers couldn’t help but be anxious.

‘Even a small mistake can increase the earned runs.’

Lee Jungwoo knew that too.

He knew it better because he used to be a pitcher.

A deficient defender annoys the pitcher.

It’s as annoying as a fast runner lingering at first base.

Just their presence is nerve-wracking.

And if they make an error, it greatly shakes their mentality. And that leads to big hits.

Lee Jungwoo had already expected that he would play as a fielder sometime this season, but.

Now that he was actually playing, the pitchers were very worried.

“Clarkson, are you okay with this?”

“Ha… what can I do? The lineup has already been announced. I just have to trust him and throw.”

“Try to strike them out if possible, and don’t let them hit it towards third.”

“If I could do that, why would I be here? I would have been called up already.”

Some of them approached the starting pitcher.

And worried about him.

The starting pitcher acted calmly, but his expression darkened slightly.

‘I’m worried too. They must be even more worried. It’s a natural reaction.’

Lee Jungwoo didn’t take offense to those reactions.

If he were a pitcher, he would have been the same. He wouldn’t have shown it, but he would have felt the same inside.

As Lee Jungwoo sighed briefly, the manager came over and patted him on the shoulder.

Matching his eyes gently as if to ease his tension.

“Lee, you can do well, right?”

“Yes, I have to do well.”

‘Yeah. I have to do well no matter what.’

Now that the start has been decided.

Whether I can do well or not is meaningless.

I have to do well no matter what.

For myself. For the team.

He took a deep breath.

His heart rate stabilized.

A light mind control.

Lee Jungwoo prepared for the game with the same calm expression and mindset as usual.

####

“I heard the third baseman used to be a pitcher? But if he’s at third, does that mean he’s good at defense?”

“I don’t know. From what I’ve seen, he’s only been a designated hitter, so not really?”

“His form is awkward. It’s obvious he’s not used to it.”

Before the game started.

The Asheville Tourists players pointed at one of the players heading to their defensive positions and whispered.

The coach said that he probably wasn’t very good at defense.

Looking at his slightly awkward appearance, it was clear that he hadn’t fully adapted.

He roughly had the form down.

But it was like he was wearing clothes that didn’t fit.

“The coach told us to send it to that side no matter what, right?”

“I’ll go see how he is first.”

“Okay, please do.”

“Yes Sir.”

Jackson, the Asheville Tourists’ leadoff hitter, gestured playfully, imitating a soldier.

And then slowly headed to the plate as the umpire announced the start of the game.

Today, his role was a scout.

Originally, the leadoff hitter is always close to being a scout, but today’s target was the third baseman.

Since he was a spray hitter [a batter who can hit the ball to all fields] who knew how to send the ball in all directions.

The coach asked him to check the third baseman’s defensive skills in his first at-bat.

‘I finally get a good one. Why didn’t you just keep pitching? I raised my batting average a lot thanks to you.’

He was acquainted with the third baseman.

When he was a pitcher.

He had racked up some stats thanks to him.

He hoped that he would continue to give as much as he did when he was a pitcher, and he glanced at the third baseman before stepping up to the plate.

He focused on the pitcher.

‘His performance was so-so. I hit two hits when I met him last time. I hope he gives me about that much this time too.’

Being a left-handed pitcher was a bit annoying, but.

He wasn’t a burden.

This league was where everyone who was going to go up had already gone up.

If he wasn’t a draftee like himself, then he was just Single-A level, which meant.

Jackson thought he was an easy opponent.

He might be overconfident, but.

As a higher rounder [draft pick], he was at least High-A level.

‘My performance is actually good, right? I want to get even better, so just give me one low pitch. I won’t hit a big one.’

Muttering that, he waited for a pitch he liked.

He even cut the ball twice, making the pitcher very happy.

His face was so good to see.

Jackson smiled mischievously and said to the catcher as if he were letting it slip.

“Your pitcher doesn’t look good. Why don’t you go up there?”

“Shut up.”

“You could just say you don’t want to, why are you cursing? You’re scaring me. Give me a good pitch. Or I’ll keep cutting it?”

“Shut the fuck up.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll shut up.”

He wasn’t trying to shake the catcher up.

He just felt good when he scratched their nerves like this. His hitting also got better.

It was a kind of routine.

He wasn’t satisfied because the opponent told him to shut up thoroughly.

Puffing out his cheeks, he looked at the pitcher again.

‘Take the catcher’s curse for him.’

He smiled slyly and watched the ball the pitcher threw accurately.

That’s why his on-base percentage was high.

He was born with a good eye.

He could tell whether he could hit it or not just by looking at it.

This was a hittable ball.

‘Thank you!’

Jackson, who hit the ball with a concise swing, quickly threw his bat and ran because the ball was flying low as if it had been slightly mis-hit.

He glanced at the ball heading towards third base and swallowed hard.

Jackson believed in his speed, but.

It was a bit ambiguous.

‘This might be a close call – yes!’

But he soon smiled brightly. Because the ball bounced right in front of third base and bounced high.

A high-bouncing ball that could leave the infield. At this rate, it would definitely go in.

‘I’m so lucky.’

He was narcissistic, convinced that he was loved by God, and smiled brightly. He stretched his long legs and stepped on first base.

It was definitely a safe timing.

But…

“What the- what is that?”

“What did I just see? This is the minors, right?”

“Who is that guy! Was there a player like that?”

Why were the spectators cheering?

It was just an infield hit.

And why on earth.

“Out.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“I said out.”

“What do you-”

Why was the umpire extending his arm firmly?

And why was the ball in the first baseman’s glove?

Why was that bear-like guy smiling so confidently?

Jackson glared at the first baseman, who was smiling at him, and looked around.

The batter in the waiting area, his teammates in the dugout.

Even the opposing team’s players had their eyes wide open.

“What happened? Am I the only one who didn’t see it?”

The first baseman kindly answered his empty question.

“Well, to put it simply, it just means you’re out. Now, go in.”

Actually, he wasn’t very kind.

####

Lee Jungwoo relaxed his body.

Some tension is good, but.

Being too nervous isn’t good for hitting or fielding.

He tried to relax as much as possible and soften his body, but.

He couldn’t stop his fingers from twitching due to his trembling heart.

‘It’s weird if you’re not nervous for your first defense. This is normal.’

To be honest.

He was more nervous than his first at-bat.

The pressure that the team could lose because of him was driving him crazy.

It was fortunate that the experiences of his past life prevented him from completely freezing up.

‘Will the ball come this way? If I were the opposing team, I would only send it to me.’

No matter what anyone said, the hole in the defense right now was himself.

Even Lee Jungwoo himself wasn’t confident in his skills, so to the opposing team, he would look like a ripe fruit that was easy to eat.

Of course, he had no intention of being eaten so easily.

‘I’ll block it with my body.’

The ball will stop in front of me.

Like the advertising slogan of a famous soccer player in the past, taken from a quote from the American president.

Lee Jungwoo decided to block the ball in front of him no matter what.

If he couldn’t catch it with his glove.

He was determined to make up for it with his body, even if he got bruised.

His will was that strong.

He wanted to make his first fielding debut clean no matter what.

‘Huey Jackson. I heard he’s a draftee this year. He’s a spray hitter, so he’s good at pushing and pulling. I think his batting average and on-base percentage were high…’

He doesn’t remember well.

When he was a pitcher, he memorized the opposing hitter’s stats, but after switching to a hitter, he didn’t care.

His enemy is the pitcher.

Still, he remembered that he was a spray hitter and had a good batting average.

He watched the home plate with his mouth dry.

He didn’t even blink.

If a batted ball came while he was distracted, he would just get blown away.

‘The pitcher is faltering. If he’s like that, it looks like he’ll get hit no matter where he throws it.’

Then, at some point, he seriously watched the game.

Because he used to be a pitcher, he quickly became immersed.

The angle was a little different because it was third base instead of the mound. It was like he was throwing it himself.

He cheered for the pitcher with all his heart, but the number of pitches increased due to the continued cuts [foul balls].

Eventually, the hitter cleanly hit a slightly misplaced ball thrown by the pitcher with a push hit [hitting the ball to the opposite field].

‘Oh, oh?’

The situation started from there.

A fast ball flew low.

Lee Jungwoo, who was approaching to catch the batted ball while stepping without forgetting how, suddenly became dazed by the ball that bounced and rose high.

‘I didn’t learn this.’

In the training he had with the defense coach.

There was no bounce that rose this high.

In a very short time. In a time when he couldn’t even blink.

He stared blankly at the rising ball and then made a decision.

‘I can catch this.’

The moment the decision was made, his two feet kicked the ground forcefully.

It was definitely possible.

He was confident in his vertical jump.

Having faith in himself.

Lee Jungwoo, who was soaring high as if floating in the air, only turned his eyes to glance at the batter-runner.

And made another decision.

‘It’ll be too late if I land and throw.’

He caught the floating ball with his bare hand instead of his glove.

The force was weak, so it was enough to do it with his bare hand.

He snatched the ball without much difficulty.

And immediately threw it in the air without delay.

For some reason.

The ball, which was much better controlled than when he was a pitcher, landed right in the first baseman’s glove.

If he had been able to control it this much when he was a pitcher.

He would have just kept pitching even if his speed wasn’t great and his quality wasn’t good.

As Lee Jungwoo thought that and landed lightly.

The batter who stepped on first base a beat late was called out.

“How did you do that-”

“If he’s good at defense too, isn’t that cheating?”

The situation ended perfectly.

Following that, the spectators cheered, and the surrounding colleagues were shocked, mixing in curses.

It was just one out, but.

A great play came out.

“I know, what did I just do.”

He moved according to instinct.

So, he was actually dazed.

Lee Jungwoo scratched the back of his neck, bewildered.

“Everyone focus! There’s still one out!”

The ground, which had been buzzing, was reorganized, and.

Lee Jungwoo became serious again, but.

‘What, am I good at defense?’

His head was complicated.

Is this talent?

Do I have a talent for defense?

At this rate, the first impression seems good.

I hope I don’t get scolded for catching the ball with my bare hands?

Literally all sorts of thoughts came to his mind.

And it got worse when he caught the ball hit by the third batter after the second batter was struck out.

A sharply hit ball right in front of the third baseman.

If he hadn’t reacted in time.

He would have been seriously injured, or the infield would have been breached.

But Lee Jungwoo caught even that.

Quite stably too.

‘I’m good at defense.’

If he had been a little worse, he would have come to his senses, but.

Because he was doing better than he imagined.

He felt strange instead.

As he returned to the dugout with a blank expression, the pitcher approached him and tapped his glove.

“Lee, thanks to you, we got through the defense well. I’ll buy you a drink today. How about it?”

“Ah, thank you, but I’m okay. I try not to drink during the season if possible. I also have a history of injuries.”

“That’s true. Then let’s have a meal. I know a place where they make amazing cheeseburgers.”

It was hard to refuse even a simple meal offer.

When Lee Jungwoo nodded.

Other players also approached and said a word each.

“I was honestly a bit suspicious, but you were so good that I was embarrassed.”

“Your catch was stable. What glove do you use?”

“You threw that first ball in the air, how is that level of accuracy possible? Is it because you’re a pitcher?”

“Well. I don’t know either. Maybe so.”

His colleagues who approached him and smiled kindly. Now that he had broken through the suspicion head-on.

It was natural for the reaction to change.

Originally, the expectations were low.

So, when he greatly exceeded them.

The reaction was much bigger.

“Lee, you did really well. Your steps were good, and your handling of the batted balls was stable. The same goes for your throwing.”

“Was it?”

“Yeah, it was. This guy is a complete combat type. Let’s just do the remaining innings like we’re doing now.”

After coming into the dugout and listening to the defense coach’s praise.

Lee Jungwoo, who was grabbing his bat for the attack, suddenly thought.

‘Should I have been a hitter from the beginning instead of a pitcher?’

He seriously thought that.