[68] The Diverging Paths of a Changing Future

Chapter 68: The Diverging Paths of a Changing Future

As soon as the changeup was thrown, who could possibly compete!!

Originally suppressed heavily by the tandem of Narumiya Mei and Masatoshi Harada, the resolve of Shuuhoku High School crumbled the moment Narumiya pitched the changeup.

Despite being reprimanded by Coach Kunimoto for revealing too much information, and being substituted afterward, Shuuhoku High couldn't find their footing.

Swing, strike, swing, strike, and then out. To describe Shuuhoku High's disoriented state as anything but apt would be an understatement. In practically no time, the second practice game concluded.

Just like Seidou High School, Inashiro Industrial racked up a staggering twenty runs against Shuuhoku High.

Aside from giving up just two hits, they didn't concede a single run.

In terms of score, Inashiro Industrial completely shut out Shuuhoku.

One could say that in this three-school exchange match, Shuuhoku High School had an incredibly tough time.

As a rising team from the eastern region aiming to make a name for themselves this summer, they faced unexpected challenges just before the summer tournament.

Now, one can only imagine the despair within the hearts of these players.

Of course, neither Seidou nor Inashiro Industrial would be concerned with Shuuhoku's fate, as they only had eyes for each other.

This left Shuuhoku in the shadows, despondently resigned to their corner. The saying "sadness flows like a river" aptly describes this scene.

Next up is the practice match between Seidou High School and Inashiro Industrial.

Both teams understood the importance of this match, deliberately choosing not to field their entire main lineup.

However, this wasn't completely about second-string players either. The goal was to probe, to some extent.

They wanted to gauge the depth of the other team's strengths. Even if they couldn't discern much, observing the substitutes aids in evaluating the main players' capabilities. Thus, amid a mix of deception and reality, the two teams commenced the prelude to the summer tournament's battle.

This is part of a strategic plan.

It remains to be seen who will deceive whom, and who will see through the other's strategy.

Baseball games, even at the student level, aren't just about competing on the field. In a sense, every sports competition is a smoke-free war.

Pre-battle reconnaissance, strategic deception, tactical arrangements, logistical support, immediate on-field strength, and on-the-spot command.

From big picture strategies to minute details.

Every team's struggle, every match victory, is not by chance.

It is the inevitable result, hidden beneath the sweat and tears.

High school students in Japan truly aspiring to reach that sacred ground are by no means simple!

In terms of skills, strength, and mentality, they sacrifice far more than ordinary people, with considerable resolve.

Therefore, this practice match and the previous game against Shuuhoku High School served as a strategic arrangement and tactical exploration by bench coaches from both sides before the real tournament.

Seidou fielded a half-main lineup, including Captain Tetsuya and third-year pitcher Tanba.

On the Inashiro side, even though Narumiya Mei didn't play, the team captain and main catcher Masatoshi Harada participated in the match.

These were open strategies.

Coaches Kataoka and Kunimoto anticipated this scenario when arranging the practice match.

Only Shuuhoku High seemed to come in naively.

Under such an atmosphere, the last practice match before the summer tournament grandly began.

....

Meanwhile, on the training grounds.

Furuya and Eijun were undergoing extensive pitching training.

Both focused on the common goal of improving control. Eijun was determined to master the outside corner pitch, ensuring consistent accuracy at low outside corners.

Furuya's task was relatively simple: to lower his pitch trajectory unconditionally.

"Lowering the pitch—just keep it low."

For Furuya and his powerful fastball, if he can lower the trajectory, most batters will be forced to swing, and there's a high chance they'll miss.

"Whoosh."

"Pop."

"Too high, Furuya. Think about the feel from yesterday's game. Try to have that sensation of the pitch crashing into the home plate," Miyuki said, tossing the ball back to Furuya.

"Got it."

"Sawamura, focus on the feeling in your fingers. Control the smoothness, so you can be more precise," Chris advised, making adjustments to Eijun's pitching motion and grip.

Especially with a hardball compared to a softball, the biggest difference lies in the seams on the surface.

Control is not just about the feel; you also need to manage the seams correctly for precise pitching.

If you hold the ball haphazardly, your throw will be chaotic.

In the original story, Eijun's pitches clearly demonstrated this.

Later, with Chris's proper guidance, Eijun mastered gripping the seams, and his control improved further.

However, in the original story, this also somewhat diminished the eccentricity of his pitching during the autumn tournament.

Eventually, by developing an upgraded version of his quirky pitch, he truly exploited its characteristics and advantages.

This time, Eijun is deliberately honing his control over his eccentric pitch. Mastering the seams carefully, he's choosing to progress slowly but steadily.

In discussion with Chris, this approach led Chris to design corresponding training sessions for Eijun.

"Yes, I understand, Chris-senpai," Eijun nodded, replying earnestly.

"Alright, then try another pitch. Hold here, don't release, but don't grip too tightly either," Chris instructed gently.

"Understood."

The combination of practicing pairs of pitchers and catchers is a common scene lately.

Especially for Miyuki, who has been the busiest catcher during this time. As the team's primary catcher, he has the obligation to familiarize himself with all the pitchers on the team.

Considering the current plan, Seidou High School intends to employ a rotational pitcher strategy this summer.

In the original story, while Tanba's injury indeed provided the first-year pitchers with significant opportunities to play, it wasn't solely due to his injury that they got to pitch. Coach Kataoka also mentioned this in the original series.

He planned to introduce the dual-ace strategy with Furuya and Tanba in the summer matches.

Eijun wasn't mentioned at that time because he wasn't yet stable, and Kawakami wasn't mentioned because he was consistently used as a relief pitcher.

Thus, Coach Kataoka intended to employ a rotational pitcher strategy from the beginning of the season.

After all, Tanba wasn't yet a very stable ace.

Tanba's injury merely increased the opportunities for the first-years to play, but it wasn't the decisive factor.

The fundamental reason was that Eijun and Furuya were viable options; otherwise, despite Tanba's injury, the first-year pitchers wouldn't have been given the chance to play.

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