One-out Game [2]

Lucas and Alexander. The one-on-one match between Alexander and Lucas was approved.

All the children gathered for this exciting competition.

"Hey. A one-on-one showdown between Alexander and the Lucas. Who do you think will win?"

"Are you even asking? Alexander."

Most people agreed that Alexander would win. Of course, some children remained neutral.

"But that guy also throws ridiculous pitches."

"He was fast. He pitched three scoreless innings against SC's 1st team."

"That's all three strikes."

"I really don't know."

But they simply remained neutral. No one cast a vote saying Lucas would win.

Lucas, who was standing on the mound in the indoor practice field, fiddled with his glove for no reason.

'How is it that there isn't even one person cheering me on? My pride is a little hurt.'

Is this also racism? Lucas swallowed the pointless joke inside.

It wasn't really a matter of pride being hurt. Rather, their reaction only heightened their expectations for Alexander.

'I don't mind getting hit by a home run. Please.'

May Alexander be a strong hitter.

Now was not the time to rush desperately to win, nor was it the time to be proud.

This was the first step to finding out the level of the school. If this match made him trust his teammates, his rehabilitation would progress more perfectly.

"Please take care of me."

Alexander came to the plate with a relaxed expression. Lucas also nodded his head slightly.

'There is a saying that goes, "Watch out for guys who play American football."'

They said that they were perfect not only in American football but also in basketball and baseball.

'Well, I hope that confidence isn't just empty boasting.'

* * *

A player wearing a catcher's mask approached Lucas.

"Lucas? What pitch are you throwing?"

"Four-seam fastball."

"Is that the only one?"

Lucas nodded. He knew how to throw a curveball, but for the time being, he planned on just throwing fastballs. He didn't have enough room to throw a changeup yet.

"That might not be enough. Well, I heard you throw the ball pretty fast. Anyway, I get it."

The catcher tapped Lucas on the shoulder and then left the mound. Lucas looked at his back and suppressed a laugh.

'You're worrying again?'

So, he wondered just how great Alexander could be. But even before the match began, Lucas realized Alexander's level.

'Wow. This is crazy.'

Boohoo. Boohoo.

In the practice swings that were lightly swung, it felt like a typhoon was coming.

'Alexander knows how to swing properly.'

Furthermore, it would be an understatement to say that his striking mechanics were perfect.

'Wouldn't it be the icing on the cake if he also had accuracy?'

Now, it was time to find out about that accuracy. Lucas's eyes sparkled, and he immediately went into a windup. So, that's it.

Lucas's ball left his hand and quickly flew to the center. It was then that Alexander's eyes sparkled.

BOOHOO.

But there was a roaring sound and lightning-quick swing.

"Strike!"

The bat tore through the air.

"Wow. What a swing!"

"No ball, 1 strike!"

Surprised reactions came from all over. Of course, the one most surprised was Alexander himself, who swung and missed.

'Oh? I've heard it's fast, but it feels a lot faster than a 90 mph ball.'

Alexander tried to control the rising corners of his lips, but in the end, he couldn't stop them. He couldn't even tell how long it had been since he felt this joy.

Baseball has less excitement than football.

At least, that's what he thought.

That's why, on days when there were overlapping practice games, he gave up playing baseball and went to play American football.

'Sure. It's fun.'

Alexander took up his striking stance again, his eyes filled with madness. The second verse continued like that. This time too, the ball Lucas threw flew straight to the center.

BOOHOO!

"Strike!"

Another missed swing.

Alexander opened his arms to both Lucas and the referee and shouted, "Time."

He left the batter's box and soon started laughing like he had lost his mind.

"Heh heh heh. Hahahaha!"

Lucas didn't care about Alexander's behavior. He knew what that laughter meant. He was just hiding it.

The feeling of shivers running through his body was the same. Even though he was currently leading the count with two strikes, Lucas knew better than anyone that the moment the bat touched the ball, it would be a hit that would go straight over the fence.

He too clenched his fists and forcibly suppressed his trembling.

'This is crazy. Honestly, the competition has no meaning anymore.'

In Lucas's opinion, Alexander was a top-notch hitter. He dared say Alexander would be the best not only in California but in the entire country.

'Why on earth am I at FS High School?'

There were still some questions about this part, but the match was still ongoing.

'Let's finish it off neatly.'

Alexander took a deep breath and stepped up to the plate. Lucas nodded and immediately started winding up. The next three verses.

The ball was thrown. Alexander's eyes flashed.

'Hey buddy. Did the ball go up? It's a good ball. But it's still a shame.'

TA-AK!

Alexander's swing, which had a high hitting point, hit Lucas's pitch.

Lucas was busy hiding the corners of his mouth that were hanging from his ears even though he had been hit by a home run ball.

* * *

The coach called Lucas into the office right after the match.

"Yeah. How was the match?"

"You saw it too, Coach. It was a hit that not only went over the fence but out of the field."

The director chuckled.

"But that's not the expression of a player who lost a match."

The director had monitored Lucas's condition for a week.

But today was the first time he saw such a relieved expression. Even when Lucas got his parents' permission to play baseball, he never made that kind of expression.

"Baseball isn't a sport you can play alone."

The director liked Lucas's answer.

If a player has strong pride, today's result could have the opposite effect. But Lucas was happy even though he hit a home run.

'This kid really thinks he's going to win the league this season.'

Director Donald chuckled.

'There's definitely something different about Asians.'