The Fast Track to Fame

In an intense pitching battle, three innings were played, and neither side scored.

Even if Akagi had two singles, there was no real challenge to Yokozuna's defence.

It is said that such a game, no matter how wonderful it is, will always make people feel a little bit regretful. Just like a football game, no matter how hot the two sides play, the score is 0-0 at the end of a game, and it will always make people feel that something is missing.

It's the same in baseball, although strikeouts, outs, hits, and good fielding all keep the heart pumping. But in terms of shock, these can't be compared with scoring or home runs anyway.

But today's game is different. Despite the fact that neither team scored, the audience was ecstatic, even more so than a home run!

Yokozuna Middle School towers over the entire middle school world.

Sawamura had nine strikeouts in three innings.

Don't believe your eyes; you read that correctly: nine strikeouts. This record is only three strikeouts shy of the Kanto Conference's single-game strikeout record. And Sawamura still has four innings left to break the record.

What exactly is the "Fight for Fame"?

Needless to say, everyone in the country who follows the middle school game will remember Sawamura's name after this game.

As the saying goes, "gold always shines."

Sawamura, isn't that right? I had previously lived in that small house in Nagano. Although it was highly praised by the "Baseball Boys," it was not widely popular throughout the country.

But it's different now. Even if Akagi loses, Sawamura will become one of the country's most high-profile middle school students if he doesn't collapse later today.

"His fame is unstoppable."

In fact, in front of the TV and the computer, there are now many spectators who are so excited because of Sawamura's pitching that they have become die-hard fans of Sawamura.

On the field, there are heroes.

And Sawamura, almost single-handedly, subdued the giant Yokozuna with a dishevelled expression. Isn't this the definition of a hero? Who else can be a hero?

Sawamura's name will be remembered in the future.

Although Akagi and Yokozuna were evenly matched, Sawamura drew everyone onto the field, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

No way; his light is too bright.

In such a case, the game entered the first half of the fourth inning, and the yokozuna launched an attack.

in the dugout.

Supervisor Takeda's face, which had been light at first, had darkened.

"You have also seen the current situation." If you can't attack Sawamura as soon as possible and help the team score points, The audience will soon be immersed in the wave of strikeouts, and we, the hosts, may become a rat in the street and lose one. "A situation in which everyone yells and fights."

"So, regardless of the method you use, you must first find a way to get a point across, understand?"

"Understood!"

"Nishimura, come over here."

Takeda left Nishimura alone and whispered a few words after giving the players the death order.

Although Coach Takeda told the players to act on their own, as a coach, of course, he knew how difficult it would be to conquer Sawamura in the next round of blows just by relying on the strength of his disciples.

As a qualified coach, in addition to teaching and encouraging the players, an on-the-spot command is an essential skill.

"First batter, shortstop, Nishimura-san."

Sawamura's pitches in the previous round rendered Yokozuna helpless. In this round, Sawamura stood next to the pitcher's mound and again leaned toward first base, following the principle of eating everything in sight.

"strike!"

"strike!"

Nishimura struck out on two consecutive pitches. Unfortunately, facing Sawamura's big-angle pitching as if to greet him, Nishimura's swing was like a headless fly, and he couldn't find a target at all.

"Three strikes! Three strikes!!!"

From the audience, there was a neat shout. Not only the Brothers of the Brotherhood of Hearts but also many people who eat melons and ordinary fans joined in the cheering. As the saying goes, watching the fun isn't such a big deal.

These people are content to watch the king fall.

In such a situation, Sawamura threw his third pitch.

At this point, Nishimura, who was like a headless fly, awoke. He took back the bat that was held high and changed it to a bunt.

bunt!

"clang!"

The baseball was struck, and the stop position was brilliant.

Then he looked at Nishimura, who was galloping up and running to first base like a stray dog.

Sawamura's eyes froze on the mound.

He was careless because he had a good pitching rhythm. Nishimura's previous actions had all been staged, and the purpose was for this bunt.

How daring!

By the time Yamaguchi picked up the ball and sent it to first base, Nishimura had already run to first base one step earlier.

There are no outs, and the runner is at first base.

Sawamura's consecutive strikeouts were terminated.

At this time, it was Yokozuna's second shot.

"Well done, Nishimura!"

"Your speed is unparalleled in the world."

Amid the cheers, Yokozuna's second batter chose to bunt.

The white ball rolled to the third base again, and this time Yamaguchi beautifully picked it up and passed it to Oda.

"Out!"

The batter was out, but Nishimura went to second base.

Once out, someone is on second base!

in the stands.

The old fox, Yamano Hiromitsu, shook his head in admiration: "This kid Takeda is really amazing!"

The assistant coach of Tenryuji looked at him puzzled: "Teacher Yamano?"

Yamano Hiromitsu sighed helplessly as he looked at his deputy. Despite being roughly the same age as Takeda, his lieutenants were far less capable.

"Take a look at Sawamura-current san's position."

Um!

When the assistant coach heard this, he looked over at Sawamura, who was clinging to the pitcher's mound near first base.

But he still didn't get what Yamano was saying.

Yamano shook his head in disappointment but still explained: "The southpaw pitcher is supposed to stand up and pitch against the first base, making it difficult for runners from second base to steal third base." His own vision was further limited by his position. He wouldn't have seen the runner at second base if he hadn't turned his head on purpose. "In this manner.

"The runner has the ability to steal bases!"

The assistant coach shouted excitedly.

It's one out now, and there's someone at second base. If the yokozuna runner succeeds in stealing bases, it is an out, and there is someone on third base. With Nishimura's footing, he has a way to get back to home plate.

Yamano smiled slightly, showing a teachable expression.

It's just a pity that none of this pair of master and apprentice guessed Yokozuna's next move.

"Yamanaka-san, third batter, catcher."