'A high school student with such clean fielding…?'
His face was that of a young rookie, but his fielding, from catching the ball to transferring it from his glove, was not just clean but impressive. It wouldn't have looked out of place on a Major League field.
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
Jeon Ho-cheol lost track of time and kept hitting the ball. There were other players waiting, and his arm, nearing its limit, was screaming, but…
"Alright! Cha Tae-hyun! You can do more, right? One more!"
What could he do? A shining talent was dancing before him. He had to dance with it.
Jeon Ho-cheol's frenzy only stopped when the twenty or so balls in the bucket ran out.
"Whew… That was some good fungo."
Jeon Ho-cheol wiped the sweat from his forehead and caught his breath. He was exhausted, but he was smiling from ear to ear.
"Excellent, Cha Tae-hyun. You're valuable for your defense alone."
The coach's eyes widened at Jeon Ho-cheol's words.
'The coach is praising him this much?'
Jeon Ho-cheol was known for being strict. No, more than strict, he rarely gave compliments. It was natural for the coach to be surprised.
As Cha Tae-hyun bowed his head and returned to the dugout, the coach smiled again.
"He's also quite polite, now that I see it."
'…He's completely smitten with Cha Tae-hyun.'
The coach wasn't the only one who was surprised.
"Where did that guy come from?"
"I think I've seen him before. Isn't he the one who bombed the Golden Lion Tournament?"
"I thought I might get a spot as a reserve, but now what…"
"He's so damn good…"
There were various opinions, all of them praising him, but there was one thing they all agreed on.
'The starting shortstop isn't Kim Yu-bin, it's Cha Tae-hyun…'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
If you were to pick a legend in Korean baseball… many names would come to mind, but if you were to pick one from the current active players, everyone would think of the same person.
"Oh? Kim Ho-san. What are you doing here?"
Kim Ho-san. A starting pitcher who had the best record among Korean players who had advanced to the Major Leagues.
Although he was taking a break this season due to Tommy John surgery, he was a player who was evaluated to be able to fully play the role of an ace upon his return.
"I'm taking a break from the season, so I thought I'd visit my hometown."
It was coach Jeon Ho-cheol who had discovered and actively supported Kim Ho-san, so he had come to see him as soon as he arrived in Korea.
"You had surgery, right? Is your arm okay?"
"Yes. It's gotten better to the point where it wouldn't be strange for me to return soon."
"Really? That's great. So, why are you here today?"
"Haha. Do I need a reason? I just came to see the players who will lead our country's baseball. Are there any good players this year?"
"There are. Good players."
Kim Ho-san tilted his head at the quick reply.
"If the strict coach says a player is good… they must be really good."
"What do you mean, strict?"
"Hahaha. I'm kidding. So, who's the player the coach has his eye on?"
"Hmm… well, we've only tested the defense so far, but based on defense alone, it's Cha Tae-hyun."
Kim Ho-san asked, surprised.
"Cha Tae-hyun? I've never heard of him."
"That's understandable. I heard about him for the first time today too."
"Yes?"
"I've been so busy lately that I didn't have time to watch the Golden Lion Tournament, and he was the one who debuted then."
"No, are you saying that a player who debuted in the Golden Lion Tournament is that good?"
Jeon Ho-cheol chuckled and continued.
"I know. I don't really understand it either. But… just looking at his defense, he's at a pro level. I hit the ball pretty hard, a line drive. But he snatched it right up."
"During fungo? He must have good reflexes."
"Yeah. He was acting a bit cocky, so I put a little more power into it. But he caught it, so… No. Do you want to see for yourself? We're about to do the fielders' batting test."
"I was about to ask. I'm curious about the player the coach has his eye on."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The results of the first defense test were posted.
[1st place. Cha Tae-hyun]
"They've ranked it?"
I didn't know what the criteria were, but it felt good to be in first place.
I was about to take a picture and brag to Miss Mi-yeon.
"It's… Kim Ho-san!"
Someone shouted, and the place instantly became noisy.
Kim Ho-san?
He was a famous character I knew. I couldn't not know him, since he was Lee Ji-ho's role model in Nemas. And the scene where Lee Ji-ho, who had advanced to the Major Leagues, hit a home run against Kim Ho-san was still vivid in my memory.
Anyway, he was a world-class player, so why was he here?
I followed the other players towards Kim Ho-san.
"Everyone, don't get too distracted. You shouldn't forget why you're here today."
The coach tried to say something, but it was no use. The man who had achieved the dream of the aspiring baseball players gathered here had appeared. How could they not be distracted?
"Now we'll proceed with the batting test… but keep this in mind. I value contact ability the most in batting. In other words, I like batters who can hit singles. Does everyone understand?"
In short, the point was how well you could hit.
Well, that's what I'm best at. It didn't seem too difficult.
"Then, while we prepare, wait in the dugout."
""Yes!""
Back in the dugout, I sent the picture of my first-place ranking to Miss Mi-yeon.
I got a reply in less than 10 seconds.
[What, what? Did you get first place?]
[Yes, first place in defense nationwide ㅎㅎ]
[Yes! You're the best, Tae-hyun! Can you get first in batting too?]
Batting too?
Hmm… I was planning on hitting a big one, but I wasn't sure if that would be enough.
Lee Ji-ho and Jin Tae-hyun were also here. It wouldn't be strange if they hit a home run.
It depended on how they scored…
Ah?
A good idea suddenly came to me.
Yes. That would definitely get me first place.
[Yes. I'll take a picture of my first-place ranking again soon and send it.]
[Yes! I'll be looking forward to it, fighting! ୧(๑•̀ᗝ•́)૭]
I didn't understand why people did all sorts of things to get a dopamine rush.
I mean, I get a dopamine rush just from a simple text message.
I calmed my twitching lips and left the dugout.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The preparations for the batting test were complete while Kim Ho-san was watching.
The coach gathered the players and soon brought out players in Phoenix uniforms.
"Today's batting test will be handled by the Phoenix 2nd-string pitchers. They've given up their valuable time to come, so everyone be grateful."
After a brief introduction, the coach organized the lineup and soon called the first player.
"Lee Ji-ho, step up to the plate."
"Yes!"
Lee Ji-ho, who had shouted loudly, stood at the plate and got into his stance.
There was no separate starting signal. The pitcher, as if sensing it, wound up and threw the first pitch.
Clack!
A loud crack of the bat. The pitcher was startled, but he sighed in relief when he saw the ball go foul.
Even so, it was still surprising.
'…High school students these days are scary.'
Although he was in the 2nd string now, he had a record of playing in the 1st string and had survived for a long time, so he didn't expect to be hit so easily on the first pitch, even if it was a foul home run.
'I need to focus more.'
The second pitch, thrown with more caution.
Clack!
The moment he heard the sound of the bat, the pitcher let out a chuckle.
There was nothing wrong with his pitch. He threw it as usual. He wasn't careless either.
'…They said it was a test for brats, but there's a monster here.'
Kim Yu-bin, who was next in line, was relieved after seeing Lee Ji-ho's home run.
No, he was so relieved that he chuckled a little.
'The Phoenix really are a legend.'
Well, would they send a good pitcher during the season? It wasn't strange that Lee Ji-ho hit a home run so easily.
Especially since it was a 2nd-string pitcher from the Phoenix.
'I need to hit a home run too…'
Kim Yu-bin, who had confidently stepped up to the plate, bowed deeply to Kim Ho-san.
"Good morning, senior! I'm Kim Yu-bin from Hwacheong High, where you graduated!"
"Oh… really? You're my junior? Coach, is this kid any good?"
The coach frowned slightly.
"Well, his defense is so-so… he's okay…"
Strike—!
Strike—!
Strike— out!
"Ho-san, you need to go and discipline the Hwacheong High kids a bit…"
"Haha…"
'What… what the hell, why is the ball so good?'
Of course. Even if he was a 2nd-string pitcher from the last-place team, he was a player who had survived in the pro league. Would he be easily hit by a high school baseball player?
It was just that Lee Ji-ho was an exception.
Kim Yu-bin, his face bright red, ran to the dugout as if he were running away.
"Next. Jin Tae-hyun!"
As Jin Tae-hyun stepped up to the plate, Kim Ho-san let out an "oh."
"His eyes are alive."
"Right. He's the one I have my eye on. He never lets his guard down. He's full of fighting spirit."
Clack!
As if to prove the coach's eye wasn't wrong, Jin Tae-hyun hit the first pitch fiercely.
"Haha. It doesn't seem like the Phoenix pitcher is throwing poorly at all… Amazing, these high school students these days."
Another home run. At this point, even the coach couldn't help but admit it.
'…A golden generation.'
He had only seen the fielders so far, but this was the third player who already showed signs of being a big deal.
Just in time, the next batter was Cha Tae-hyun.
"Next, Cha Tae-hyun!"
"Oh? Is that the player the coach was talking about? Isn't he going to hit a grand slam on the first pitch or something?"
Kim Ho-san was also quite excited.
Clack!
He hit the first pitch well, but the ball went foul. Still, the quality of the hit was quite good.
It was proof that his contact ability was quite good.
Even so, Kim Ho-san's face showed a little disappointment.
'I don't think he's as good as the coach was making him out to be…'
Next, the second pitch.
Clack!
Another foul ball. This time too, the quality of the hit was good.
"Hmm…?"
Kim Ho-san, who had felt something strange, narrowed his eyes and focused.
Clack!
Another foul ball.
'No, wait a minute… is this…?'
Kim Ho-san's lips, which had been drooping in disappointment, slightly curled up.
Clack!
Clack!
The moment the fifth consecutive foul ball went over the line, a deep smile appeared on Kim Ho-san's face.
"This… is a completely crazy bastard."
"Hmm?"
The coach looked at Kim Ho-san as if to ask what he meant, and the moment another foul ball was hit—
Clack!
—he opened his mouth.
"This guy… is he doing this on purpose? Because I said I was looking at contact ability?"
Kim Ho-san, who had a somewhat perverted smile, nodded.
"Watch, he'll cut the next one too."
Clack!
Another foul ball, just as Kim Ho-san had said.
"No… no, are you serious?"
Clack!
That was the fifth foul ball. Of course, it wasn't that my bat timing was late or that I had missed.
It was a 100% intentional hit.
The reason why I was doing this in the batting test was simple.
I wanted to get first place and brag to Miss Mi-yeon, and the coach said he valued contact.
Home run? Good, it could show my contact ability. But there were definitely others besides me who could hit a home run. In fact, Lee Ji-ho and Jin Tae-hyun had already hit them.
I didn't know if I could get first place for sure.
But…
Clack!
Someone who could intentionally keep cutting the ball, no matter what course or what kind of pitch…?
Well… that's probably just me.
At least here.
I suddenly remembered a time in the Major Leagues when I did this and enraged the opposing team's pitcher so much that it led to a bench-clearing brawl.
The fans called it 'Tae-hyun play' and loved it.
Anyway…
Clack!
I'm definitely getting first place in this test.
"Cha Tae-hyun! Are you doing this on purpose?"
I heard the coach's voice and paused my batting stance for a moment.
"Yes. I wanted to get first place for sure."
The coach let out a chuckle for a moment. He looked at me with a bewildered expression, as if he couldn't believe it.
It was understandable that he didn't understand why I was so obsessed with a meaningless ranking, but Miss Mi-yeon wanted me to get first place, right? Then it was a serious matter for me.
"Try to hit it properly for the last one!"
I nodded once and slightly lowered my bat.
Was he a little angry…?
The pitcher's expression hardened a little. Well, would there be a pitcher who wouldn't be offended by the conversation between me and the coach just now?
The pitcher, who had gritted his teeth, wound up and rotated his arm with all his might.
Definitely.
"He's really angry."
The ball, which had left the pitcher's hand, spun sharply and fiercely.
It was clear that the speed and the quality of the pitch were on a different level from before.
He had been holding back because I was a high school student until now, but it seemed he was putting some power into it now…
I'm not the type to be unable to hit a pro 2nd-string pitcher's full-power pitch.
Thwaaaack!
The moment the ball hit the bat, the thrilling sensation running down my spine made my lips twitch.
The pitcher, who had bowed his head deeply, and the ball, which was soaring high into the sky.
I never get tired of seeing this.
I watched the ball, which showed no signs of stopping as it stretched out, hit the back screen directly and asked the coach,
"Am I in first place?"
The coach, who had been chuckling for a while, asked back, "Then would you be in second?"
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