30 30: Beyond the Performances On and Off the Field

" Eight batter, left fielder, Alejandro!"

Before stepping into the batter's box, Alejandro cast a glance back at the dugout area—a ritual every hitter must follow upon entering the field. It's a check to see if the coach has any instructions.

Baseball isn't a solo game; it's a collective effort.

On the field, adhering to the coach's guidance is equally important. The coach is sure to provide some instructions when they first step onto the field, but what caught Alejandro by surprise was that, after he turned around:

Coach Kataoka gave a subtle chin tap as an instruction, but there were no further cues.

"Ehhhhh!? Does that mean I can play freely?" Alejandro was taken aback. This scenario, well, Director Kataoka did say so.

In logical terms, the coach would only provide such instructions to players he holds the utmost confidence in. It's understandable, given that this isn't an especially critical game. Resolving to follow the directive, Alejandro advanced toward the batter's box.

"How's the game shaping up?"

"Seido seems to be in control at the moment." Since it's just the Kanto competition, the crowd isn't particularly large, with many attendees being players from various high schools or directly affiliated with scouting units.

As the match progressed, these numbers gradually swelled. This was particularly true of high school and some universities within the West Tokyo Division, as they dispatched representatives to monitor Seido's performance.

"Hey, number 17? Is this guy part of the main lineup from Seido's second and third years, or could he be a freshman?"

"Well, it's the first game. Defensively, he's been quite impressive, but we're not sure about his offensive skills."

"Hmph, if Director Kataoka's willing to put this first-year kid on the field, he must see something promising."

As soon as Alejandro took the stage, the audience began to speculate. To be fair, when they saw Seido's starting lineup, a hint of surprise rippled through the crowd. After all, it's only May—less than two months have passed since the freshman recruits joined.

Ordinarily, it's not typical for first-year students to break into the top lineup so quickly.

"Um, Coach, is it really the right call not to give him any instructions?" Director Ota inquired, his tone reflecting some concern. Granted, this competition might not be of utmost importance. Even though the defense isn't remarkable, it's still commendable—quite good, in fact.

However, for the first game appearance, Ota felt that the freshmen might be facing some mental pressure. Providing precise instructions seemed essential in this context. Yet, Coach Kataoka chose not to follow that course, which left Ota feeling perplexed. Wasn't it more appropriate to do so?

"Well, let him assess the situation on his own." Supervisor Kataoka held his own viewpoint. Since it's all part of the training, let's engage in comprehensive practice. In reality, Seido's current lineup is exceptionally well-rounded. They've managed to build a seamless sequence from the lead-off to the ninth batter.

National-level lineups aren't to be taken lightly!

For Seido, Alejandro isn't an absolute necessity; the team primarily requires an outstanding ace pitcher!

However, if you can bolster the lineup, why not give it a shot? While Seido's current lineup is certainly national-level, it's not flawless, and there's no such thing as a perfectly flawless lineup in this world.

Whether Alejandro can fulfill Supervisor Kataoka's expectations and bolster Seido's lineup before the summer competition hinges on his personal abilities. Naturally, Kataoka Supervisor remains highly optimistic about Alejandro's potential—much like his general outlook on Sawamura Eijun's future.

It would be ideal for Alejandro to reach the level required for the summer competition, but if not, it's not a major setback. At most, it serves as an opportunity for early talent development as the new term approaches. Such practices are common among universities.

Hence, not only is the daily training significant, but this Kanto competition also serves as a litmus test set by Supervisor Kataoka for Alejandro! It's an evaluation that will influence whether he can truly become a key player on the first-string team!

There's still a considerable duration ahead—two months remain until the summer competition qualifiers. That's quite a generous amount of time, isn't it?

Standing within the batter's box, Alejandro took a deep breath, endeavoring to compose himself. To be fair, Alejandro does possess a sturdy resolve. This might be attributed to his biological age; it's not necessarily due to any particular life experiences. His demeanor remains remarkably serene, displaying a calmness that surpasses the typical demeanor of a freshman player.

For most first-year players, just making it to the substitute list of the first team can be enough to ignite their excitement—let alone stepping into an official game!

"A mere freshman, Director Kataoka must be intending to toughen him up. We'll confront him head-on, face him directly, and make sure he comprehends the harshness of high school baseball!"

The Yokohama supervisor stationed near the third base dugout subtly signaled, wearing a disdainful smirk. Alejandro? A foreigner? Does this kid even comprehend baseball?

In a nation where regular games aren't even common, baseball prodigies are scarce. Besides, there's been no mention of him being associated with a prominent Little League. But then again, Director Kataoka isn't an ordinary individual. Perhaps Alejandro does possess some skills. Plus, no one's been retired so far, so they can be more audacious with their pitches and yet more cautious with their placements.

Boldness tempered by meticulousness!

With these thoughts in mind, the Yokohama supervisor made a series of additional signs.

The Yokohama catcher grasped the supervisor's intention entirely, nodding. He placed his fingers to the ground, giving it a pat, and signaled for a directive.

"First pitch, aim for a low outside fastball, even if it's borderline. Let's assess his response first. Something feels off about this guy; the supervisors sense it too."

"Hmm!" The pitcher on the mound nodded slightly. The string of consecutive hits earlier had made him a touch cautious, a lesson in not underestimating.

No outs yet.

The Yokohama pitcher took a bold stride and smoothly unleashed a throw from his right arm.

Alejandro gripped the bat tightly, and a blur of white sped towards him, swiftly approaching. Alejandro felt a surge of impatience, prompting him to swing a tad early.

"Thud!"

In that instant, Alejandro was well aware of his premature eagerness.

"Foul!"

Although the ball went foul, the velocity and distance of its trajectory astonished the spectators seated in the stands. They hadn't anticipated such a forceful hit.

"Kid, his power doesn't match his build." Some individuals in the stands stroked their chins and mused, "He managed to drive it such a considerable distance."

Alejandro's hit didn't just pique the curiosity of the spectators; it also sparked a serious glint in the eyes of the Yokohama catcher.

"This guy is really not simple!"