23 The outbreak of Saigo's game
Crisis for Seidou High School, the opportunity for Saigo High School.
After a half-game battle, Saigo High School was able to seize this opportunity and would not let it go easily. The captain of Saigo High School, Tanaka, was staring at Inoue-senpai on the pitcher's mound with a solemn expression. The infield hit could score a run, but if it went through, two runs could be lost, and Inoue-senpai was feeling the pressure.
"Boom!"
The left leg was raised, the right arm was raised, the ball was held in the palm of the right hand, and the right arm was flung violently along with the step forward.
"Phew."
A little bit of cold light jumped out at this moment and sped towards the home plate not far away, the laser flash came to the home plate area, the tricky ball into the path, Tanaka on the batting area looked astonished, the pupils reflected the trajectory of the incoming ball, the sideways movement of the body, the pace of the step, the low metal bat flung up.
"Swish."
In a flash, a terrifying sonic boom sounded.
The metal ball bat danced up.
The sound of violent wind pressure roared out.
The white ball shadow that burst in, the metal bat that attacked so fiercely.
"BANG!!!"
The heavy shadows abruptly collided together.
The ear-piercing, sharp roar instantly resounded throughout the stadium.
In the eyes of the many spectators who were watching.
Amid the attention of the audience.
"Phew."
The small ball that ejected from the field viciously smashed in the direction of the third base boundary line.
"Bang."
The ball hit the ground with a fierce sound.
The ball that flew out-landed beyond the boundary line.
"Foul!!!"
It's already keeping up with Inoue-senpai's fastball, so I should say it's worthy of being a strong-hitting school in East Tokyo? He caught the ball in four innings in such a meticulous way.
Chris-senpai took a deep breath and silently thought in his heart.
In the third-base dugout.
Coach Nishikado also signaled to the Saigo High School players on the field at this time, Tanaka on the batter's box, and the runners on the bases all touched the brim of their hats with understanding, and this action also made Chris-senpai at home base feel slightly astonished.
The other side is about to make a move.
"So, the second ball, high outside fastball, this ball can be a little off."
At home plate, Chris-senpai shifted the mitt slightly and placed it in the outer corner. Almost at the same time, Inoue-senpai quickly raised his arm and swung his arm down with the light of the ball.
"Phew."
The light shone in the sky.
Tanaka's eyes in the batter's box fiercely stared at the trajectory of the incoming ball, and the bat that was about to be thrown up stopped at the last moment.
"Snap."
"Ball!!!"
Did not swing!?
"Then let's see this ball."
Chris-senpai flicked his right hand at the bottom.
"Whoosh."
The arm on the pitcher's mound was raised once more.
"Swish."
"Bang!!!"
"Bang!"
"Ball!!!"
Did he swing at a ball that was slightly inward? Is this guy aiming for the inside corner?
A subtle difference.
Chris-senpai quickly caught the difference in detail.
Aiming for the inside fastball that is easier to hit long compared to the outside corner, especially when you are familiar with Inoue-senpai's path, is indeed a very reasonable and correct choice for Saigo High School.
"In that case, here, it's time to change the tempo to disrupt the opponent's offensive rhythm."
At home plate, Chris' eyes flashed a thoughtful look and silently thought.
Thinking about it.
Chris-senpai does not hesitate anymore and then gives the shuuto code.
Take the initiative to speed up the pace of the attack.
Let the batter be caught off guard.
Do not let the batter easily catch the timing and angle of the swing.
That's what a catcher is supposed to do, and that's what matching the pitch is all about.
"Shuuto in the inside corner, swing your arm thoroughly, Inoue-senpai, you have to stop the opponent's momentum here."
At the home plate, Chris-senpai's mitt back slapped the ground and gently side-stepped to the inside.
Inoue senpai on the pitcher's mound nodded with an increasingly stony expression.
"Need to be more cautious, need to be a little more deliberate."
The pitching style deep in the marrow of his bones, inwardly admonished Inoue-senpai, the left leg that was lifted, his taut body, and the small ball clutched tightly in his palm.
With the pace of the step forward.
"Phew."
The right arm abruptly dances momentarily.
A dazzling white light danced at Inoue-senpai's fingertips for a moment and flashed out quickly, hurtling towards home plate.
Just at the moment when the ball will fly out.
"Ta-da-da-da-da!!!"
In the batter's box, Tanaka, the batter from Saigo High School, quickly bent down and took a bunt stance, causing Chris's face to suddenly change, and at the same time, the figure running from the third base raised dust, and Azuma-senpai on the third base shouted, "Steal!"
"Mandatory score taking!?"
That unhesitating starting and bunting action of Saigo High School.
The entire audience could not help but let out a suppressed gasp, everyone seemed surprised at Saigo High School's such a decisive choice at this time!
Saigo High School's determination to win.
The momentum of Saigo High School's determination to win was so strong that the people in the dugout of Seidou High School, including Shigeno, showed a shocked look.
Coach Kataoka frowned slightly at this time.
Damn, he chose to force a run after two strikes!
At the home plate, Chris-senpai clenched his lips and showed a look of anger on his face.
"Whoosh."
"Swish"
"Bang!"
It doesn't have a fastball speed nor the power and tail strength that a fastball should have.
Saigo High School's ability to catch the opportunity was just right.
Aiming at the incoming breaking ball.
The ball and the bat collided with precision, and Tanaka's arms shook slightly, unloading all the ball power on the floor, with a gentle swing.
"Phew."
Precisely bounce the ball out.
"Bang."
It bounced down on the ground not too lightly and rolled up along the first baseline.
"Direct pass to first base, Inoue-senpai."
The sprinting figure.
The runner that forced his way in.
Without even turning his head, Chris-senpai could tell that it was too late to block the runner at home plate, and the best option here was to pass straight to first base and get the number of outs he should get.
But unfortunately, it was clear that Saigo High School was attacked with premeditation.
Even though Inoue-senpai was already running down the mound to quickly handle the ball.
However, Saigo High School's attack was even faster.
"Phew!"
"Snap."
"Ta-da!"
As the ball went into the mitt.
Tanaka's figure had already stepped on the base bag.
"Safe!, Safe!"
There was no pause for thought.
The first base judge quickly spread out his hands and shouted out loudly, causing everyone in Seidou High School to turn pale.
