I am practicing in Tokyo

Chapter 76 Jiaziyuan

After getting the tickets for Koshien, the whole team recuperated for a few days and then headed to Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. This is the home stadium of the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese Professional Baseball League. The draw starts in early August every year, and the same 48 national teams

The local competition champion will compete in six rounds within 16 days to eliminate the final winner.

Hachioji's first-round pick, good or bad, was drawn to Tomishima High School (Miyazaki Prefecture). This is the first time for the high school to participate in Koshien. Like Hachioji High School, it does not have any points and cannot enjoy a bye.

treatment.

On the day of the game, the organizer always invites some celebrities to kick off the game. The person invited to the opening ceremony this time is Darvish, who serves as the starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers of the American Major League. He is considered to be the most famous opening guest in history.

.

"The Darvish player who signed a contract for six consecutive years for 60 million U.S. dollars was also a senior who visited Koshien a few years ago. He performed the opening kick of the first round match between Hachioji High School and Tomishima High School. I believe he often watches Koshien.

The spectators of the game will also be very pleased.”

The TV broadcast commentary introduced when the camera turned to Darvish.

The catcher responsible for the opening pitch was Shuji Kobayashi of Hachioji High School, who was also the pitcher, and the hitter was Shinkazu Nakatani of Tomishima High School, a tall high school student with a crew cut.

A shrill air-raid siren sounded in the venue. Darvish threw a straight ball with professional and neat movements. Shinkazu Nakatani waved the baseball bat symbolically, letting the baseball get into the catcher's bag. Anyway, this was just a lively scene ball, and the score was not counted.

of.

Afterwards, Fujii, dressed in white and wearing a baseball cap, appeared on the pitcher's mound.

"The starting pitcher of Hachioji High School, Itsuki Fujii, set an astonishing record in the entire Tokyo District Regional Series by being the only pitcher to hit Koshien. It is said that his average ball speed is over 150 kilometers, and he also won the national championship in football last year.

, I wonder if the miracle can be replicated this year?”

When it comes to Fujii, there are obviously more comments in the commentary. Such a star player with gimmicks cannot be found at the same level in previous Koshien games.

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Xiu."

"What's going on, I just wanted to help you a little."

Darvish, who returned to the VIP table after the game, sat with Reo Kanhara, the chairman of the Japanese Baseball Association that hosted Koshien, and exchanged pleasantries with each other for a while.

"This pitcher is very handsome." Darvish pointed at Fujii, who had just come on the field to warm up, and praised him.

"Of course. He was a man of the hour in the football world last year. Several clubs were in quarrel because of him. My friend Kozo Tajima serves as the vice president of the Football Association and he always complains to me."

Guan Yuan Liyang was an old man and answered slowly.

"Oh? What are you complaining about?"

Darvish became interested and asked further.

"I blame my baseball for attracting the people he likes. I have also watched this Fujii-san's football matches on TV. He is indeed an incredible player."

"You just don't know what baseball is like, do you?"

Darby Xiu replied tactfully, and the two of them smiled at the same time. Let them wait and see what happens next.

Facing Koshien's first opponent, Fujii looked as usual, wiped the surface of the baseball, made a pitching motion, stretched his body, and quickly threw a four-seam straight ball.

"The ball speed is 157km/h, a good ball."

The TV commentator read the data on the scoreboard. Shuji Kobayashi caught the ball steadily and made a command gesture. The catcher has the right to temporarily give the pitcher the next instruction. This is also a tactic.

"It's very fast! It's not slower than a major league starting pitcher."

Even though he was hundreds of meters away, Darvish could still see Fujii's skills in this shot. Next to him, Reo Kanhara nodded in agreement.

"Sure enough, you need to have a good body to play sports. This Fujii-san showed a physique that is different from ordinary people when he was playing football. When he switched to baseball, he was not weak at all."

Next pitch, throw a bad ball and test him.

Kobayashi Shuji made a hand signal under the protection. Fujii knew that he was afraid that his straight ball path would be guessed by the opponent. If he succeeded in hitting such a fast straight ball, it would probably be a home run.

Okay, play with him.

Fujii, who originally wanted to win a quick victory, followed Shuji Kobayashi's advice and deliberately threw a bad ball to the left. Tomishima High School, who was overreacted by the first ball, hit Nakatani Shinkazu, and swung the bat regardless.

He hit a curved ball and was caught by Shuji Kobayashi.

"Good shot, keep going."

The referee behind Shuji Kobayashi said loudly, causing Nakatani Shinawa to break his defense. Either he concentrated on guarding against Fujii's high-speed straight ball, or he had to guess whether he would deliberately throw a bad pitch to trick himself into swinging the bat. This is too

It's hard to deal with.

"The execution of tactics is also very thorough. Even if he has the ability to easily defeat the enemy with a straight ball, he continues to listen to the catcher's instructions. He is a very calm player."

After observing, Darvish added another advantage. Some pitchers with superior strength tend to have their own way of doing things. There are many such examples. It is indeed not easy for Fujii to hold back.

For the third ball, Fujii planned to use the fork ball that he had not used for a long time. He held both sides of the ball with his index and middle fingers. When the ball was released, he used the force on the inside. The baseball flew straight away. Nakatani Shinkazu stared at him.

Big Eyes swung the baseball bat, and at the moment before contact, the baseball dropped strangely in mid-air, avoiding the baseball bat and falling into the catcher's glove.

"Tomishima High School, one hit by Nakatani Shinkazu, struck out, please invite the next one."

The referee politely reminded Nakatani Makazu, who was stunned, and the other party finally responded, nodded and bowed, wiped the corners of his eyes and went away.

"Tomishima High School's second batsman, Saku Nagamori, comes on."

When he took over, Nakatani Shinkazu patted Saku Nagamori on the shoulder. This is a short and powerful power hitter with quick reactions. He should be able to hit Fujii's ball.

"Hoo! Hoo!"

Saku Nagamori tried swinging the baseball bat in the air a few times to get a feel for it, and then signaled to the referee that he was ready.

OK ball, right, down.

Shuji Kobayashi knew that Fujii Shu could play four kinds of balls, also known as the OK ball, which refers to the change-up ball. Since the posture of the shot does not change from the straight ball, but the ball speed is slower, it is very suitable for tricking people.

No, he should be able to hit it.

Fujii shook his head slightly. Facing this new hitter, he had a feeling that he had to increase his intensity to get through the opponent's level.

Okay, that's up to you.

Kobayashi Shuji gave up command. After all, he had the capital to be arrogant, so it was hard for him to say anything.

Whether it's a straight ball or a changeup, I'll hit it all, just watch!

Saku Nagamori, who was short in stature, squeezed the baseball bat hard, his eyes full of fighting spirit.

(End of chapter)