6 Chapter 6

We had two days for training before our match for fourth round. Right after the match, Furuya was heavily berated my Chris for his abysmal control.

I woke up brimming with energy the next day. After classes, we went to the grounds to train.

I was practicing against the net when Chis and Rei walked towards me.

I looked at Chris and said, "Chris-senpai, I want to practice my splitter. Will you catch for me a bit? Miyuki-senpai is catching for Tanba-senpai and Miyauchi-senpai is catching for Kawakami-senpai."

Chis took a moment to think and said, "Sawamura, how many types of pitches can you throw now?"

I replied, "Seven. I'm proficient enough to use four of them in the tournament. But, I want to hone my splitter and the change-up. That way I'll have all the movements covered except the reverse of curveball which, honestly, I don't think I will be trying. A screwball is bound to give me a serious injury."

Chris nodded and said, "I hope you understand why the coach didn't use your pitching against Maimon."

"Yeah.. I was hurt when he didn't even choose me to be the relief or closing pitcher but I understood his reasons during the match."

"Good. While Tanba is recovering, we need all the talent availible. Furuya is a good pitcher but his control leaves much to be desired. Kawakami alone can't face schools like Ichidai and Inashiro. Make sure you understand your role in the team. You're our hidden ace until Tanba is cleared."

I nodded and then followed Chris to the bullpen.

Once he was geared up, he said, "Don't bother with the positioning of the pitch. For now, focus on throwing strikes."

"Yes!"

I breathed in and out before winding my arm back and whipping it ahead.

*BANG*

"Hm. A strike. The speed was much higher than required and the vertical movement was impaired because of it. Try again. This time a little slower. Allow the ball to break."

"Yes!"

'A little slower so that the ball has enough time to break. Don't snap the wrist. This is not a forkball.'

*BANG*

"Strike. Much better. But, it's still quite fast."

Breathe in.. and out..

'A splitter is an off-speed pitch. Just a little faster than a change-up. I'm too tense. Relax and throw.'

*BANG*

[SFF: D5 --> C1]

"Now you are getting it. That was acceptable. Again!"

I threw fifty splitters and by the end, my skill level improved from D5 to C4. I was confident enough to use it in a match, not too frequently, but, enough times to make a difference.

(RE:PLAYBALL!)

Once again, I was not chosen to be the pitcher against Murata East.

Furuya pitches were livelier but he was not pacing himself, something Chris had noticed and I was silently hoping to enjoy another berating of Furuya.

The game was called in the fifth inning with Yuuki hitting a home run.

After were finished with our stretches and had our lunch, we stayed to watch the next match to see who our next opponent was going to be.

From the very first inning, Akikawa academy dominated their opponent. Their pitcher, You Sunshin, was a sniper of a pitcher. His precise pitching was really a sight to behold. Much different from the rhythmless brute who sat next to me. His use of the corners of the strike zone was simply masterful.

Akikawa academy won the match with 3-0 score. The other school only managed to get five hits off You while he pitched for the entire nine innings.

From the looks of it, our batters were going to have a hard time.

We did our training the next day and I continued to work on my splitter.

As always, everyone's training was intense. Kataoka ended it in the evening and addressed us.

"In preparation for tomorrow's game the official training end now. The game will begin at 10 am. Do some light warm up until 8:30 and then get to the stadium. Tomorrow will be a hot day so keep self training to a minimum and get some good sleep. Dismissed!!"

"Yes!!"

While everyone was returning, Miyuki wanted to test Furuya's forkball. But, the first year seemed tired. His pitches were powerful as ever but he was losing stamina much quickly. Even the coach could see it.

He looked at me and said, "Sawamura!"

I turned around and asked, "Yeah?"

"It's time."

The smile on my face was enough to convey my joy. I was finally going to pitch in the tournament.

[STR: 395 (475)

INT: 360 (440)

MNT: 415 (495)

DEX: 380 (460)

Pitcher stats-

SPD: 312 (432)

H DOWN: 312 (432)

XBH DOWN: 213 (462)

HR DOWN: 715 (805)

CTRL: 300 (480)

STM: 323

Pitcher lvl: B5

Pitch type:

Four-seam: A1

Cutter: B5

Two-seam: B5

Curve: B4

Forkball: C4

SFF (Split finger fast) ball: C4

Change-up: F4

Choice skills:

Super left arm: lvl 3 - Increased SPD and CTRL by 120.

Pitcher's resolve: lvl 3 - Learn what it takes to be a pitcher - Increases all stats by 80.

Double step: lvl 3 pitching style - Increases H DOWN by 90.

Talents:

Hit Blockade: Skillfully prevent a hit - lvl 1 - Increases H DOWN by 30.

Speed Control: Being able to rest well is also a skill - lvl 2 - Increases stamina recovery after each inning.

Heavy ball: Enhances ball movement and power - lvl 2 - Increases XBH DOWN by 60.

Monstrous Pitch: Throws a freakishly powerful ball - lvl 3 - Increases HR DOWN by 90.

Bold: Gains courage to overcome pressure - lvl 2 - Increases SPD by 70 at first pitch.

Alert - lvl 4 - Greatly increases pick off rate.

Steel arm: Efficient pitching is the key to victory - lvl 3 - Reduces STM use during each pitch.

Accuracy control: Accurately throws the ball to any part of the strike zone - lvl 2 - Increase CTRL by 60.]

[Batter stats

H UP: 300 (depends on INT and DEX)

HR UP: 323 (depends on STR and MNT)

MOV SPD: 225 (273) (depends on INT and

DEX)

CATCH: 239 (depends on DEX and MNT)

XBH UP: 305 (395) (depends on STR and INT)

BAT CTRL: 312 (402) (depends on INT and

MNT)

THROW: 286 (depends on STR, DEX and

MNT)

Choice skills:

Full swing: Batter stance - lvl 3 - Increases XBH UP by 90

Talents:

Tenacity: Don't let any situation bother you - lvl 3 - Increases BAT CTRL by 90

Four-seam hunter: Gains confidence facing certain pitches - lvl 3 - Increases H UP by 60 when opposing pither throws a four-seam.

Target sighted: Stays focused when at bat - lvl 2 - Increases HR UP by 35 against the first pitch.

Provoke: A psychological warfare begins! - lvl 2 - Provokes the opposing pitcher to moderately loose stamina

Roadrunner: Get some swift moves - lvl 1 - Increases MOV SPD by 48.]

(RE:PLAYBALL!)

A/N: Semester exams in college so chapter releases are delayed. Tomorrow is surgery which is a subject for next year so I don't need to prepare much for it thus giving me time to type. Thanks for your patience.