I am practicing in Tokyo

Chapter 76

After getting the tickets for Koshien, the whole team went to Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture after a few days of recuperation. This is the home of the Hanshin Tigers of the Japanese professional baseball league. The lottery starts at the beginning of August every year, and the same 48 teams from all over the country The champion of the local competition will have six rounds of competition in 16 days, and the final winner will be eliminated.

The first round of Hachioji's lottery, luck is not bad, I got Fushima High School (Miyazaki Prefecture), this is the first time I participated in a high school in Koshien, just like Hachioji High School, I don't have any points, and I can't enjoy a round of byes treatment.

On the day of the game, the organizer will always invite some celebrities to kick off the game. This time, the one invited to play is Darvish, who is the starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers in the American Major League Soccer. .

"The Darvish player who has signed a contract for six consecutive years with 6000 million US dollars is also a senior who boarded Koshien a few years ago. He will perform the opening ball of the first round match between Hachioji High School and Fushima High School. I believe I often watch Koshien The audience of the game will also be very pleased.”

The TV commentary introduced when the camera turned to Darvish.

The catcher in charge of the opening pitch was Shuji Kobayashi from Hachioji High School, who was also the main pitcher, and the hitter was Makazu Nakatani, a tall, crew-cut high school student from Tomishima High School.

The air defense siren sounded terribly in the venue, Darvish threw a straight ball professionally and neatly, Nakatani Shinkazu symbolically swung the baseball bat, and let the baseball get into the catcher's bag, anyway, this is just a scene with a lively atmosphere, and the ball is not counted. of.

Afterwards, a white-clad Fujii appeared on the mound wearing a peaked baseball cap.

"The starting pitcher of Hachioji High School, Fujii Ki, created the entire Tokyo regional competition. He has an amazing record of throwing into Koshien by only one pitcher. It is said that his average ball speed is over 150 kilometers. Last year, he participated in football and won the national championship. , I don’t know if we can reproduce the miracle this year?”

As soon as Fujii was mentioned, there were obviously more commentary words. Such a star player with gimmicks could not find the existence of the same level in the Koshien games in the past.

"Thank you, Xiujun."

"Where is the matter, I can do a little favor by the way."

Darvish, who returned to the VIP seat after the game, sat with Reio Kanbara, the chairman of the Japan Baseball Association who hosted Koshien, and exchanged pleasantries for a while.

"This pitcher looks very handsome." Dabixiu praised Fujii, who had just warmed up.

"Of course. Last year, the man of the football world, several clubs were arguing because of him. My friend Kozo Tajima, who is the vice chairman of the Football Association, always complains to me."

Guan Yuan Liyang is an old man who is very old, and he answered slowly.

"Oh? What are you complaining about?"

Darvish became interested and asked further.

"I blame my baseball for attracting the people he likes. I also watched the TV broadcast of this Fujii-san's football game. He is indeed a great player."

"You just don't know what baseball is, do you?"

Darby Xiu answered with a tacit understanding, and the two smiled at the same time, let them wait and see.

Facing Koshien's first opponent, Fujii looked normal, wiped the surface of the baseball, put up a pitching motion, stretched his body, hit a four-seam fast straight ball, and threw it quickly.

"157km/h ball speed, good shot."

The TV commentary read the data on the scoreboard. Shuji Kobayashi caught the ball steadily and made a command gesture. The catcher has the right to temporarily give the pitcher the next step. This is also a tactic.

"It's fast! No slower than a major league starter."

Even though Darvish was separated by hundreds of meters, he could still see the skills of Fujii's shot, and Reo Kanhara nodded in agreement.

"Sure enough, sports still require a good body. When this Fujii student played football, he showed a physique that is different from ordinary people. He will not be weak when he switches to baseball."

Next pitch, throw a bad ball, test him.

Kobayashi Shuji made gestures under the guard. Fujii knew that he was afraid that his straight ball would be guessed by the opponent. If he successfully hit such a fast straight ball, it would probably be a home run.

Well, play with him.

Fujii, who originally wanted to make a quick decision, listened to Shuji Kobayashi's suggestion and deliberately threw a bad ball on the left side. After being hit by the first ball, Makazu Nakatani, who was a bit overreacted by the first ball, swung his bat regardless. Hit a bad ball with a curved arc and was caught by Shuji Kobayashi.

"Good shot, keep going."

The referee behind Shuji Kobayashi spoke out, which made Nakatani really break his defense. He either had to concentrate on defending against Fujii's high-speed straight ball, or he had to guess whether he would deliberately throw a bad ball to trick himself into a good one. Difficult to handle it.

"The execution of the tactics is also very thorough. Even if he has the ability to easily defeat the opponent with a straight ball, he will continue to listen to the catcher's instructions. He is a very calm player."

After Darvish observed, he pointed out another advantage. Some pitchers with superior strength tend to go their own way. There are many such examples. It is indeed not easy for Fujii to hold back.

For the third ball, Fujii planned to use the crossball that he hadn't used for a long time. He clamped the two sides of the ball with his index finger and middle finger, and used the inner strength at the moment of the ball. The baseball flew straight, and Nakatani stared at it. Big Eyes swung the baseball bat, and the moment before the contact, the baseball dropped strangely in mid-air, avoiding the baseball bat and falling into the catcher's mitt.

"Tomishima High School, Nakatani Makazu hit one, struck out, next one please."

The referee politely reminded Nakatani Shinkazu who was standing still, and the other party reacted, nodded and bowed, and wiped the corners of his eyes.

"Tomishima High School, second batman Nagamori Saku, play."

When taking over, Nakatani patted Nagamori Saku on the shoulder. This is a short, powerful hitter with a quick reaction, and he should be able to hit Fujii's ball.

"Hoo! Hoo!"

Saku Nagamori tried to swing the baseball bat a few times to find out the feeling, and then signaled to the referee that he was ready.

OK ball, right, down.

Kobayashi Shuji knew that Fujii knew four kinds of balls. It is also known as the OK ball of the ring finger changeup. Since the shooting posture and straight ball do not change, but the ball speed is slower, it is very suitable for playing tricks.

No, he should be able to hit it.

Fujii shook his head slightly. Facing this new fighter, he had a feeling that he had to work harder to pass the opponent's level.

Well, that's up to you.

Kobayashi Xiuji gave up commanding. After all, he has the capital of arrogance, so he can't say anything.

Whether it's a straight ball or a changeup, I'll hit it all, watch!
Saku Nagamori, with a short stature, squeezed the baseball bat hard, his eyes full of fighting spirit.

(End of this chapter)