Chapter 110: Spy Master Chris!

"Seventh Batter, catcher, Takigawa-kun."

Chris stepped into the strike zone step by step.

Masuko, who was opposite him, looked disappointed in himself.

As the last batter at the zone, even if the opponent dealt with him, he should share the information of the opponent's pitcher.

Unfortunately, he did not collect any useful information during the previous duel.

Chris nodded at Masuko Toru indifferently and then walked to the strike zone.

Two Outs, no one on base.

The batters behind him are the all-rounder Shiratsu and Tanpa…

Chris has set aside the expectation of scoring points and now prioritizes understanding Haruka Nanami's pitch. Focusing on the attainable, the immediate goal is to thoroughly analyze Nanami's pitching as soon as possible.

'As the game intensifies, the pitcher, once renowned on par with Narumiya Mei, has fully settled into his rhythm. It's incorrect to compare him to his former self.'

'It's now more appropriate to regard Nanami Haruka as a totally new opponent.'

With the bat raised, Chris's gaze sharpens to an intense focus.

'This guy!'

Okuchi shivered subconsciously, and he looked at Chris in amazement.

From the very beginning of the game, they were led by the nose by the catcher Seidou. Not only read them like an open book when attacking, but Even when they were on the defense, it was very uncomfortable to face him.

Hosho Okuchi's memories instantly returned to two years ago.

During that time, Sawamura was his partner. He once asked Sawamura what a really good catcher is like.

Although he was a catcher himself, Sawamura was the Captain, Ace, and Coach of the team at that time. It's not surprising that he would ask Sawamura.

Sawamura's look at that time, Hosho still can't forget to this day.

The expression on Sawamura's face was extremely serious with a bit of fear.

It seemed that Sawamura himself felt extremely uncomfortable just thinking about that opponent.

"An exceptional catcher has the ability to discern your intentions. No matter your plan, he understands precisely what you aim to do. Do you play chess?"

"Eh? A little!"

"It is like a beginner playing chess with his teacher."

'A Beginner playing chess with his teacher? What does this mean?'

Until now, Hosho remembered this sentence clearly, but he had never understood what Sawamura meant.

Until today's game, when he saw Chris.

Although there is still a little gap from what Sawamura said, Chris is the first guy in Okuchi who feels that kind of level.

'It is like he is able to read your mind!'

'It's dangerous to play against a guy like that and try to get rid of him with the game calling.'

With a plan in mind, Hosho Okuchi gave Nanami a sign.

'Use your pitching to crush the batter and I'll catch whatever you throw.'

On the mound, A trace of joy flashed in Nanami Haruka's eyes.

'Okuchi has finally lost his rigidness!'

At this moment, if the catcher gave him a sign, there would be hesitation on his end. Moreover, whether to follow it or not, is detrimental to the team's dynamics.

Now the catcher takes the initiative to hand over the leading to him, which is ideal for him.

'But after you said that don't miss the ball.'

'Do not worry!'

At this moment, the minds of Nanami and Hosho Ryuki seemed to be connected by an invisible thread.

Nanami Haruka made the stride and threw the baseball in his hand.

Whoosh!

The small white ball, as if it had life on its own, precisely got into Hosho's open Mitt.

SNAP!

"STRIKE!"

One Strike, no Ball.

In the first ball, Chris did not swing but chose to observe.

Through the observation just now, he felt that Nanami Haruka's ball speed had increased.

Looking up at the ball speed displayed on the electronic scoreboard, Chris's eyes sank.

143 km/h! (88 mph)

According to the information they collected before, Nanami Haruka's ball speed is between 138~142(85~88), which is about 140. (87~)

The speed of the ball just now clearly exceeded his fastest speed.

'The speed of the ball has indeed increased, by about three kilometers.'

'The first information is in hand!'

This is not the first time Chris has observed it. He has observed it several times before in the rest area and in the on-deck circle. This evaluation is relatively objective.

The bat in his hand sways steadily.

Chris didn't seem to be affected by the count at all, just waiting patiently for the ball.

In the catcher's position, Okuchi felt a little awkward in his mind.

The catcher of Seidou High School seems to be a bit evil, but he Didn't even swing at the Straight ball.

'Did you find out!?'

'No, not possible!'

Nanami Haruka's 'Straight ball' doesn't seem to have any flaws at all.

'Ignore the opponent's bluff and continue.'

With an idea in mind, Hosho gave Nanami a sign to continue.

On the mound, Nanami's eyes became fiery.

After entering the same high school as Okuchi, Nanami privately asked him how Sawamura rated him.

Anyone can be curious about this, and Nanami Haruka is naturally the same.

Nanami Haruka is really curious about the evaluation of Sawamura, the No. 1 middle school player in the country.

"He said that although you are also a genius, but Looks like it is difficult for you to really compare with Narumiya Mei. At most, you are good as a student Ace, not a professional…"

"Wha…?"

Nanami's nose was crooked, and he asked angrily, "Why?"

"He said although your characteristics are good, you won't have a use of them in professional baseball."

"Eh?"

"The angle of break of the ball path is large, and the ball path breaks clearly and very obviously. If there is no ball speed and power, a professional baseball batter can easily aim at your courses. So he said you have no way to stand in professional baseball at all."

This…!

With a cold light flashing in his eyes, Nanami threw the ball in his hand with all his strength, as if he wanted to throw a bit of the depression in his heart.

Whoosh!

The small white ball, as if it had life, soared forward.

On the strike zone, Chris had a smile on his face.

'Good! Here it comes!'

In the face of this ball, he swings the bat decisively.

Ping!

After the white ball is touched, it bounces out of bounds.

"FOUL!"

The baseball rolled out of bounds, and Hosho didn't think much about it.

It might be a matter of Chris's swing timing!

'Come again!'

He gave Nanami Haruka the sign to continue.

Ping!

"FOUL!"

Ping!

"FOUL!"

After persistence with five or six balls in a row, Chris threw all the balls that flew over out of bounds without exception.

Until the last ball!

After the small white ball entered the hand, it suddenly sank.

Chris swung in a hurry and missed the ball.

SNAP!

"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!"

Three Outs, offense and defense exchange.

Chris failed to touch the last ball.

On the strike zone, there was a hint of annoyance in Chris's eyes.

'The Forkball suddenly mixed in the Straight ball is really hard to judge.'

'But…'

The information he has gathered is good enough.

Thinking about it, a smile appeared on Chris' face again.

…

T/N: That's it for Today.

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