The second team doesn't play exhibition games; instead, they participate in what is called the Spring Training. This year, as a second-year player, I eagerly took part in the Spring Training.
Sometimes I played in games, sometimes I didn't. Adachi, a first-year rookie straight out of high school, had more opportunities to play. Even in my second year, I was beginning to feel the pressure of maintaining my position. I was confident that my defense and base running were superior to Adachi's, but my batting was clearly lacking.
I struggled with Coach Yamashiro's concept of "catching the ball with a line," finding it hard to translate his teachings into tangible results. I couldn't help but worry that if he couldn't teach in a more understandable way, the young kids in Little League baseball wouldn't grasp it either.
*They'll probably just tell you to work harder than others.*
I believed I swung the bat more than anyone else during the training camp and Spring Education League. After practice, my hands would be so stiff that I had to pry each finger off the bat one by one. But come game time, the bat never seemed to connect with the ball.
One day after a game, I was unexpectedly called into the manager's office by the second team manager, Kemigawa. I frequently spoke with the second-team coaches, but interactions with the second-team manager were rare, and being summoned to his office was even rarer.
*Did I do something wrong? Was it a missed sign in the last game, a double play opportunity squandered, or an out while stealing?* I couldn't think of any good reasons.
"It's been decided that you'll be promoted to the first team. I thought it was too early, but they want to see you at the next level. Please join the first team starting tomorrow."
*Huh?*
I later learned that Coach Yatsu had strongly recommended me. "His batting skills are above middle school level, but his defense and base running are at most first-team level. Please take a look," he had said. It was a mixed bag of a compliment.
I quickly packed my bags and headed to the airport.
*Why me?*
I didn't want to sound boastful, but I felt I was far from being ready to play at the first-team level. Maybe there had been a mistake. Perhaps they had meant to call up outfielder Takahashi, who was the second pick in last fall's draft and in his first year after graduating from college.
*Oh well. Even if it was a mistake, it would be good to experience the atmosphere of the first team, even if just for a short time.*
Positive thinking. Positive thinking.
The next day, the first team was scheduled to play an exhibition game against the Chukyo Pearls in Nagoya. I joined the pre-match practice, and when I stepped onto the field, I saw star players like second baseman Honda and third baseman Tomatsu, who also served as the player's association president. I couldn't help but feel excited.
"Hey, nice to see you."
I turned around to see pitcher Sugisawa.
"Long time no see."
"The atmosphere here is different from the second team. Well, everything is an experience."
"Yeah, I'm honestly excited."
"If you just play as you normally do, you'll be fine. That's the hardest thing, though. Well, I'm the starting pitcher today. See you later," Sugisawa said, leaving with a refreshing smile.
I looked for Taniguchi but didn't find him. He had been demoted to the minors in exchange for me. Despite high expectations, he hadn't recorded a hit in the exhibition games and even dropped an outfield fly ball, making his performance lackluster.
I greeted the management, including Coach Kimitsu, and met my new teammates during the pre-match meeting. They remembered my performance at last year's Fan Appreciation Day and Year-End Party, greeting me with warm applause. It was good to be remembered, even if it was for a reason I wasn't entirely proud of.
Naturally, I started the game on the bench. Watching the first team play up close for the first time, I was struck by the difference in skill. Their swings were sharp, and their defense was impeccable. Each batter adjusted his positioning, and the ball seemed to fly exactly where they anticipated. Every move was a learning experience.
The Chukyo Pearls took an early lead with one run in the bottom of the first inning, but our Shizuoka Oceans tied the score in the top of the fifth. It was a tense match. I didn't expect to play, but I started stretching behind the bench in the bottom of the sixth inning and played catch with the team staff. There was always a risk of injuries or unforeseen incidents.
The game reached the top of the ninth inning, with our team leading by one run thanks to a home run by our new foreign player, Thomas Lawrie. I looked at the monitor and slapped my glove, feeling the tension rise. At that moment, I felt a tap on my shoulder.
"Next inning, go on defense," Head Coach Ichikawa instructed.
*Me?*
I thought that if I did get to play, it would be in a situation where the score difference was large. I didn't expect to be put in such an important situation. I grabbed my glove and headed out to the field, feeling my legs shake with tension.
An announcement echoed through the stadium, "Instead of third baseman Thomas, we have Takahashi at second base. Number 58."
I ran to my position at second base. From there, I took a moment to look around the stadium, hoping to ease my nerves. I was used to playing in front of large crowds, having played at Koshien during my high school days. Since it was an exhibition game, the stands were only about 30% full.
*Come on, hit it to me.*
Trying to suppress my trembling, I got into my stance. "Second base, the ball's coming to you. Stay strong," the pitcher, Nakano, called out to me.
"Yes. Thank you," I responded loudly, raising my hand.
Nakano began his pitching motion. I lowered my posture even further. The crowd noise faded away, leaving only the sound of my heartbeat. The first pitch rang out with a satisfying crack. I reacted instinctively, diving for the ball. It was a hard hit, but the ball bounced into my glove twice. I threw it to the first baseman with all my might.
"Out!" the umpire called.
Even though it was an exhibition game, I had handled my first defensive opportunity without a hitch. It gave me a lot of confidence. That was my only defensive play of the game, but as soon as the game ended, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
When I joined the victory circle and returned to the bench, someone patted me on the shoulder and said, "Good job." It was Takeshita, who had been playing left field. He didn't say much, but his presence was reassuring.
Back in the locker room, pitcher Sugisawa called out to me while icing his shoulder, "Hey, were you nervous?"
"Yeah, to be honest, I was very nervous."
"They say the ball flies to you when you're nervous. It's true, isn't it?"
"Yeah, I dealt with it frantically."
"Let's go eat something to celebrate your promotion. What do you want?"
"Thank you. I'd love to have grilled meat."
Sugisawa took me to a high-end yakiniku restaurant. The food was delicious, but I was shocked by the prices. One plate cost as much as my living expenses for a week. According to newspaper reports, Sugisawa's annual salary had increased to about six times mine. Professional baseball was still a dream.
The next day, I was surprisingly in the starting lineup. Batting eighth and playing second base. But I made one big error. In the third inning, with one out and runners on first and second, a ground ball was hit to me. It looked like a simple play, but my eyes were momentarily drawn to the runner in front of me.
*Ah.*
The ball took a strange bounce, and I missed it with my glove. I quickly picked it up and threw it to first base, but it was too late. An error light came on the scoreboard. Pitcher Scott was visibly frustrated.
The next batter hit a double, clearing the bases and deciding the game. I was subbed out of defense in the sixth inning and went hitless in two at-bats, striking out twice. I shouted encouragement from the bench until the end of the game to avoid feeling completely defeated.
After the game, Head Coach Ichikawa told me I would be demoted to the second team.
"This was a good experience. Try again at the bottom and climb back up. I'll be waiting," he said kindly, but all I could do was hold back my tears of frustration.
I packed my bags and left the team, preparing to catch a taxi to the nearest station when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Takeshita again. He handed me a can of coffee and nodded slightly. That was more than enough for me.
I'll train hard again in the minors and come back someday. I silently bowed and got into the taxi. Tears threatened to fall, but I managed to hold them back. I didn't want to be that pathetic person. When I shed tears, my regret seems to wash away too. I clenched my fists and vowed to myself that I would never forget this day.
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