Ace of Diamond: Return of the Pitcher

Pitcher: Narumiya Mei

Catcher: Kengo Inui.

This is actually a standard configuration.

Is this configuration the strongest at the current stage?

Not necessarily. In fact, within this current Tokyo team, there are still many powerful combinations that could be paired.

But without a doubt, the configuration in front of us is one of the best combinations the Coach, Kunitomo, could come up with.

After all, this Tokyo team is just temporary.

In a few months, these players might very well meet again on the field, facing each other in intense competition.

To avoid revealing too many crucial secrets in this game, Kunitomo deliberately avoided pairing up potential future opponents.

He put considerable effort into figuring out this strategy.

It must be said that his method was widely accepted by the public.

Even Sawamura fully acknowledged the Coach's approach.

The game officially begins, and the first team to take the field is the Tokyo University Baseball Team.

Their players seem very relaxed, especially the few who have played professionally.

Their expressions show a calm demeanor.

Professional baseball and high school baseball are two completely different beasts.

There is a famous saying in high school baseball that perfectly explains the cruelty and helplessness of it:

"High school baseball has no turning back!"

A single failure in a game could mean the end of a high school baseball career.

That's the harsh reality of high school baseball.

Even if it's not the end of an entire high school career, chances for a second chance are slim.

For example, let's say you're playing in the first year of high school and lose in your second game.

At first glance, it seems like you, as a first-year player, could try again next year, right?

But that's not true. You wouldn't understand the deeper meaning of it.

By next year, you won't be a first-year player anymore, and your teammates will no longer be the same ones.

While winning is still something to celebrate, when you pause and think carefully, isn't there a sense of regret?

Before his regression, Sawamura's high school baseball career wasn't smooth, but he did make it to Koshien.

Even so, in Eijun's memory, there are still many regrets.

For example, he never got to play in Koshien with Tetsu-san and the others.

If it wasn't for this second chance, that regret would never have been remedied.

This is where the "no turning back" saying in high school baseball comes from.

It's cruel, but it's reality.

But when you step into professional baseball, things are different.

In professional baseball, there is always a way to turn back, and there are many ways to do so.

It's hard to understand, isn't it?

Actually, when you think about it carefully, it's really not hard to understand. There are only 12 teams in professional baseball, divided into two leagues.

While there seem to be a lot of games in a year, the opportunities to face the same opponent are plentiful.

Does that mean it's okay to lose?

Not really. But since you meet the same teams so often and have the same set of players around you, it's easier to find opportunities to make up for a loss.

For example, a series between two teams is three games.

There's so much that can be done within that.

A loss can lead to renewed motivation and improvement.

This can happen within the same group of players, and it doesn't even need to wait until the next year—it could happen in the next game.

Once you enter professional baseball, you must leave the mentality of high school baseball behind.

You have to adopt a completely different mindset to perform at your best and remain undefeated in such grand competitions.

Otherwise, if you show all your cards right from the beginning in order to win, you won't last long.

You won't rise in the rankings, either.

The two very different modes of competition mean that players have different mindsets on the field.

For example, the four professional players right now—they look relaxed, which is a stark contrast to the tense high school players.

"They really are different from us. As expected, they're not the same level of players! Masa-san has really matured."

Looking at their relaxed demeanor, Narumiya Mei couldn't help but admire them.

"If they're underestimating us just because they've joined professional baseball, that would be perfect!"

Shirakawa muttered.

His idea was quite appealing to anyone who heard it.

And it didn't seem entirely impossible—didn't those professional players seem so relaxed right now?

"You're being too naive!"

Sawamura, hands on his hips, shook his head as he looked at the opposing lineup. "If you were the one joining professional baseball and facing a team like ours, would you be so relaxed and careless?"

Shirakawa looked at him like he was an idiot.

"Of course not."

Anyone familiar with high school baseball knows not to underestimate top-tier high school players.

These players burn all their potential to seize their moment of glory.

When their power explodes, they can sometimes be even more fearsome than a professional team.

In past games, top high school teams have even matched up with professional teams without falling behind.

It's precisely because of this that they can't be underestimated.

"They all came from high school baseball. Do you still think they'd be overconfident or look down on us?"

Eijun's words were met with unanimous agreement.

Putting yourself in the opponent's shoes, if you were them, the pressure now would be greater than it is for regular high school players.

"Then today's game is going to be tough!"

If the opposing team is fully prepared, this newly formed Tokyo team, which is basically a team of strangers, will have a hard time competing against them.

"But there's no need to bolster their morale and weaken our own. We have to face them head-on to see who's stronger and who's weaker."

Although Umemiya's skills aren't particularly outstanding in the current team, his fighting spirit is many times greater than anyone else's.

Sawamura looked at Umemiya in surprise.

He hadn't expected this kind of reaction from him.

If nothing unexpected happens, based on his current mindset, Umemiya's future achievements could surpass those of most people here.

The game officially begins, and Tokyo University goes on the offense.

In this game, Sawamura is immediately sent in. He's the team's key fourth batter, and even though he's not on the mound, there's no reason for him to be absent from the game.

Kunitomo, the Coach, would never leave his available talents unused in a game.

This team, which was just hastily put together, is still very immature.

If they can't go all out, they're practically asking for failure.

After considering all factors, the team Kunitomo selected is the strongest one available right now.

"OUT!"

"OUT!!"

Once the game starts, Narumiya overcomes his previous weaknesses and shows calm and composure.

He handles the first two batters easily and then faces Tetsuya, the third batter.

This is a matchup that draws attention, especially for Sawamura and Miyuki, who are both eager to know the outcome.

How much stronger has Tetsuya become after leaving high school baseball and joining professional baseball?

Narumiya's eyes are locked on Tetsuya as he's about to pitch.

With a sharp motion, he throws a pitch straight into the strike zone.

'It is still fast.'

From Tetsuya's perspective, Narumiya's pitch is incredibly swift.

In just a year, his pitching has reached a whole new level.

His speed has already surpassed 150 km/h! (193 mph)

This is a very dangerous sign. It means that just his fastball alone makes him a formidable opponent.

Not to mention his control and breaking balls.

Miyuki, too, knows this very well.

But Tetsu doesn't act, instead letting the first pitch go.

SNAP!

"BALL!"

The pitch barely missed the strike zone.

'Uwahh!'

Narumiya can't help but complain silently.

'As expected, Tetsu-san's observations are sharp—he never swings at a ball outside the zone.'

Mei decides to play his trump card.

A Change-up!

Tetsuya, sensing the danger, braces himself.

He knows Narumiya's tactics all too well.

PAAK!!

The pitch comes in, and without any warning, Tetsuya swings with precision, sending the ball flying.

The ball lands and bounces, only to be caught by the third baseman and thrown to first base.

Snap!

"OUT!!!"

Three Outs, offense and defense exchange.

On the mound, Narumiya grins widely.

He was waiting for this moment.

"Tetsu-san, I've evolved!!!"

This moment, when he fooled Tetsuya with his pitch, was one of Narumiya's greatest joys.

Tetsuya, with his bat now lowered, watches the triumphant Narumiya from the mound.

He nods, seemingly pleased.

"If Yuuki had used a metal bat on that last pitch?"

From the bench, the assistant coach of Inashiro Industrial mutters.

Kunitomo glanced at him but didn't reply.

Ignoring any hypothetical situations, if we look at the actual outcome, Narumiya has secured a perfect start for the new Tokyo team.

'It seems that the Tokyo team is incredibly strong,'

'But…' Sawamura looked at the other side's dugout.

Their performance has successfully angered some of the professional players on the opposing team.

…

T/N: I have updated early because I will be busy later.