20 Kataoka's Evaluation

The sun had set, and the game had come to an end.

[Final Score:

9 innings

1st years: 1

2+3 years: 20]

"In the end, the upperclassmen dominated".

"But those monster rookies, Furuya and Rei were something. They left a big impression, despite throwing only once".

"The Seido team is lacking a good pitcher maybe they would become the team's savior".

Discussed the audience after the match ended.

In the Spirit Dorms at night.

"That brat where did he go? He said that he was going to train but I went to look for him and couldn't find him on the field", said Kanemaru walking back to the dorm with Chris.

Chris shrugged as he didn't know, and they arrived near their dorm room.

"I wish he's having a hard time training wherever he is", said Kanemaru as he opened the door.

"Yo", said Rei while chewing something in his mouth to Chris and Kanemaru, and continued playing games on his phone.

"Or not, you punk", said Kanemaru smiling creepily standing at the door.

Kanemaru came inside the room and grabbed a pillow from his bed while Chris went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Kanemaru threw the pillow towards Rei and dropkicked him.

"You serious?", said Kanemaru choking him.

"Your senpai was training while you were playing games in the dorm!", said Kanemaru while leg locking Rei.

While Kanemaru and Rei were busy Chris came out of the bathroom. He went to his bed and looked around for something. He found what he was looking for on Rei's bed.

"My Choco…", said Chris feeling horrified looking at the chocolate wrappers on Rei's bed.

"I don't know what you are talking about?', said Rei distracted by his phone.

"Don't get cocky just cause you are in the 1st string now. You're nowhere near good to be a great pitcher. You only pitched 1 inning", said Kanemaru leg locking him.

"I know that I must learn many new things. That's the reason why I came to this school", said Rei seriously putting down his phone.

Kanemaru couldn't argue against that and gruntled in response.

Rei stood up and got ready to go to the bathroom but before that, "By the way, I'm cocky because I'm good, and don't ever try to act like my senpai again", he said to Kanemaru while glaring at him.

Saying this Rei went to the bathroom scoffing leaving Kanemaru speechless.

In the break room.

Haruichi was getting drinks for his Senpai's.

While he was getting a drink from the vending machine, he heard a voice.

"Running an errand", said Ryosuke playfully seeing his brother.

"2 hits and one fine play. You made quite an impression, Haruichi.", said Ryosuke.

Haruichi blushed in response and said he was lucky.

Ryosuke told Haruichi that he kept following and copying him before, but it isn't easy to do that here in Seido.

As previously mentioned, they are both brothers and Haruichi had copied his brother since they were kids.

"Brother…", said Haruichi looking at his brother leaving.

In Miyuki's Dorm.

"Where's Miyuki?" said Jun.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since lunch", said the roommate.

"I told him we were going to watch Inajitsu's game DVD. Where did he go?", said Jun frustrated.

Miyuki and Furuya were currently practicing together.

The Next Day, Morning Practice in the field.

Kataoka and 2 school board directors were standing and observing the players practicing.

"94 members, including the new 1st years. What a splendid sight. Does it seem like you'll make it to the nationals this year, Coach?", questioned the board director.

"We haven't gotten very close in the past five years. It's about time everyone in Japan hears about our school's name again", said the other board director while wiping his sweat off.

"Please be rest assured. Our goal is always to be the national champions", said Kotoka.

In practice, a batter hit the ball to the center.

Ryosuke the second baseman caught it exceptionally.

"Hey…YAAHAA", said Kuramochi grabbing the ball from Ryosuke and throwing it to the base in time.

Both the directors gasped seeing the exceptional defense combo.

"We have an impenetrable keystone combo. A shortstop and lead-off hitter, Yoichi Kuramochi. Batting second and a second baseman, Ryosuke Kominato", said Kataoka introducing the combo to the directors.

"Die!", yelled Jun throwing the ball back with his strong shoulder from the outfield.

"Jun Isashiki throws hard and hits hard", said Kataoka.

Yuki stood in the batter's box.

"An irreplaceable clean-up hitter with a keen eye for a chance, first baseman, and captain of the team, Yuki Tetsuya.", said Kataoka.

Masuko was practicing his swings.

"A super heavyweight third baseman who just rejoined the first-string, batting 5th, Masuko Tohru. And our key player supporting the team, catcher and batting 6th, Miyuki Kazuya", said Kataoka.

"They are all top-notch players in the nation", said Kataoka.

"That sounds very reliable. Then…we're just missing a pitcher? It'll depend on Tanba when he can be back in the 1st string. Excuse me Kataoka coach aren't you training the ace too hard? I mean in this century people have taken other measures", said the director.

Kataoka glared at him after hearing his suggestion.

"Wait, please don't take it too hard. You were a foot away from the national title as a player and rejected offers from professional contracts to be a teacher. Everyone knows how devoted you are", said the director.

"I simply wanted to repay my debt to high school baseball that raised me. I am always ready to take responsibility for anything. So please never give me such suggestions. Excuse me", said Kataoka walking away.

"I'm terrified. Does he even understand? If he can't produce results this year, his job will be on the line", said the director.

Yesterday, after the game Kataoka, Takashima and Director Oota were discussing about the 1st years.

"There are some good players. Kominato Haruichi, the batter, did you know he was Ryosuke's younger brother no wonder his defense was solid. Furuya Satoru and Rei shut everyone up with their one pitch.", said director Oota.

"About that. If we win tomorrow, I'll make Rei and Furuya debut in the Kanto tournament", said Kataoka.

"Eh-ehhh but they're only first years!", questioned director Oota.

"Furuya's pitch is so powerful that it looks like it is rising. There aren't many batters in Japan who can hit that pitch", said Kataoka.

"What about Rei?", asked Director Oota.

"Honestly, that kid is useless except for his monstrous pitching skills. He hasn't ever played on a baseball team before and is self-taught. But purely speaking on potential, compared to all the other pitchers he has the body and skills to become the ace in the future.", said Kataoka.

Rei does have knowledge about everything from his previous life, but he hasn't gotten a chance to learn them and use them during a game. Kataoka's answer is based on what Rei has told him and what Kataoka has seen so far.

Takashima and Director Oota agreed with Kataoka's statement because they did think that Rei had the potential to become an ace.

"What do you think about Sawamura?", asked Takashima.

"A southpaw which is an asset to the team. An honest-to-a-fault style of head-to-head pitching, and incompetency in pickoffs and fielding. He can't be used in a game as of now", said Kataoka.

"For now, I'll switch between Tanba, Rei, and Furuya until the summer. We'll have Furuya and Rei gain experience in the first string, and I think I'll leave Sawamura to Chris in the 2nd string", said Kataoka.

"To Chris?", said director Oota shocked.

"Very Well", said Takashima happy with the coach's decision.