“Coach, how are you planning to handle Sawamura Eijun?” After the red-and-white scrimmage ended, Kataoka returned to the coaching room.
Takashima Rei adjusted his glasses and asked with a calm smile.
Kataoka Tesshin cast a slight glance at Takashima and replied quietly, “He’s a talented kid, but his mindset still needs refining.
Send him to the second team and let Chris train him a bit.” Takashima nodded subtly, understanding perfectly.
He knew Kataoka’s methods for developing players very well.
The style of Seidou baseball itself reflected this coach’s philosophy, which was precisely what Takashima admired most about him.
“Also, what about the transfer student?
Are you planning to include him in the first-team roster?” Takashima asked lightly.
Even though he had a rough idea of Kataoka’s thinking, some matters were best confirmed in person.
As vice-captain of the baseball club, this was part of his duties.
“Yes, that boy has certain traits and a good sense for the ball.
What he lacks now is real-game experience and basic training.
He’s in the same dorm as Miyuki, isn’t he?
Let Miyuki handle him.” “This time, let him participate in the Kanto Tournament alongside Furuya.
It’ll be a trial for them.
Whether he makes it into the first-team roster for the summer tournament depends on his growth,” Kataoka said, a faint, indescribable expression crossing his face.
Takashima smiled slightly.
Indeed, his assumptions about Kataoka’s thoughts had been correct.
“Eh?
Only these two first-years for the Kanto Tournament?
Isn’t that a bit too soon?” Ota, standing nearby, frowned in disagreement.
He recognized that Furuya had potential as a pitcher, and Kanzaki Yuto as a batter, to join Seidou’s first team—but wasn’t it a little early?
Ota believed it would be more appropriate to let them develop further first.
“No, Furuya and Kanzaki Yuto participating in this Kanto Tournament has already decided.
Seidou lacks a truly decisive ace pitcher.
Tanba’s condition is decent, but not enough.
For a nationwide-level competition, he can’t fully shoulder the responsibility yet.
Furuya’s fastball, however, can contribute to the team.
This Kanto Tournament is a preparatory stage for the summer tournament, to hone Furuya’s skills!
His talent is exactly what Seidou needs!” Kataoka waved his hand, speaking with unmistakable authority.
“Eh?
And Kanzaki Yuto?
That Chinese kid has some exposure to baseball, but hardly any formal training or official matches.
Isn’t it too early for him to join the first team?” Ota asked.
He understood Seidou’s pitching situation well and, as vice-captain, saw Kanzaki Yuto’s potential.
But that didn’t mean he could accept this decision blindly.
Oota also recognized Furuya’s natural talent.
Kataoka’s explanation made sense to him—but the other boy joining the first team?
That he could not comprehend.
In Oota’s eyes, Kanzaki Yuto joining the first team now was premature.
Wouldn’t it be better for him to gain experience in the second team first?
Even if he trained with the first team, there was no need to add him to the official first-team roster just yet.
“No.
That boy has limitless potential—excellent physique, extraordinary dynamic vision, and most importantly, a strong heart.
Sure, his batting stance and technique are rough, and compared to other first-years, he lacks many basics, including fielding and base-running skills.
But these can be trained.
His innate, limitless potential is irreplaceable!” Kataoka said, this time with even more decisiveness than before.
“He can become a cornerstone batter for Seidou in the future!” Kataoka stated firmly.
Ota’s mouth fell open in disbelief.
He hadn’t expected Kataoka to place such trust and value in the first-year Kanzaki Yuto.
This exceeded even the attention given to Furuya.
Only Takashima kept a calm smile, seeing through everything like the astute and clever vice-captain she was.
“All right, May is almost here.
The Kanto Tournament is about to begin.
During this time, intensify training for these two first-years.
Basics won’t be a problem.” Kataoka waved his hand.
“Yes, I understand.
I’ll give the instructions,” Takashima nodded lightly.
The red-and-white scrimmage had concluded, but it was clear that the biggest beneficiary was Kanzaki Yuto.
He was rapidly becoming a representative figure among the first-years.
His natural leadership had already won over most of the first-years.
Even Kanemaru Shinji, who often spoke with bravado, secretly respected Kanzaki Yuto.
Even those active on the pitcher’s mound, like Sawamura, were slowly accepting him as a trusted teammate, despite their outward complaints.
It couldn’t be denied: the success of the last four innings relied almost entirely on the combined efforts of Kanzaki Yuto, Sawamura Eijun, and Kominato Haruichi.
Every first-year knew this.
Night quietly fell.
Kanzaki Yuto lay on his bed and let out a deep sigh.
So tired… He groaned lightly.
The intensity of the game had drained him, despite his strong conditioning.
And this was only a scrimmage—official games would demand far greater endurance.
He became slightly more alert.
He needed to train harder, or his stamina wouldn’t keep up.
Baseball wasn’t always just nine innings.
In a tie, games could go up to fifteen innings!
Well, that’s for later.
For now, preparation is key.
Thinking back to the morning’s game, Kanzaki Yuto reflected on many things.
Honestly, he hadn’t expected to hit a home run.
He didn’t even believe he could do it.
He only wanted to hit a single to bring Sawamura home—enough to avoid regret.
But to his surprise, it became a perfect, soul-striking home run!
He couldn’t help but smile faintly.
“Hey, how does a home run feel?
Judging by your face, you seem pretty pleased, first-team player!”