John Howe himself did not think that he would have a chance to play in this practice match. Although he performed well in the previous match, their opponent was also a freshman. But now, their opponent is the second team of the deadly rival City University High School.
Given the relationship between the two teams, even if it is a second team match, both sides will definitely put in their best efforts. Not only will all the main players of the second team play, but some players who can show their strength in the game should also get a chance.
Kevin is so fast and a new face. As long as the timing of the game is right, he will definitely be sent to play.
In addition to Kevin, the only one who has a chance to play is Carl, who has performed well. Although he is also a freshman, Carl's situation is completely different from theirs after entering the second team. Carl was the team's rotation pitcher when he first came, and he had many opportunities to play, and his performance was also remarkable. This practice match is a good opportunity for him to compete for the main force.
In comparison, the remaining three freshmen actually have few opportunities to play. Especially John, who is at the bottom of the second team. Let him play, unless Rachel Thompson is crazy!
The coach for this practice match is Rachel Thompson. She is not only the vice president and admissions officer of the team. At the same time, she also serves as the coach of the second team.
"Everyone cheer up, we must give our opponents a big surprise."
"Yes!"
Hearing Rachel Thompson's inspiring words, the players were full of fighting spirit. Whether they have ambitions to play in the first team or know that they can't, they all cherish today's game. After all, they don't have much time to stay in the team, so they naturally want to play well in every game. In this way, they will not let down their efforts for so many years. Especially when the opponent is still a mortal enemy. Then they have to use all their strength.
"Please give me more advice!"
"Please give me more advice!!!"
The players of the city's third high school baseball team are tall and strong, and they don't look easy to mess with. After the two sides briefly greeted each other, a player from Seido suddenly exclaimed.
"Why is he here?"
This voice quickly attracted the attention of the friends around Seido.
"What's wrong?"
"The pitcher of the City University Senior High School baseball team is James Walker."
Some players from Seido immediately gasped. Of course, not everyone has heard of this name. After all, many people in the Seido High School baseball team are from other regions. They are not so familiar with the players active in Tokyo.
"Do you know the sophomore Tamba?"
Hearing about the substitute pitcher of their own team, the players nodded one by one. Of course, they are familiar with the second pitcher of their own team.
"These two were teammates in the same youth baseball team when they were in junior high school. One of them was the ace and the other was the substitute. James was the ace of that team at the time. And our Tamba could only be his substitute."
A stone stirred up a thousand waves.
"He had clearly been promoted to the first team before, and was the substitute pitcher of the City University Senior High School's first team. How did he come to the second team?"
While the players were talking, the team coach Rachel Thompson had a frosty face.
"What a good plan. Do you want to use us as a stepping stone to help James gain confidence?"
Although she was unhappy, Rachel Thompson had to admit that the other party's plan might succeed. After all, it was difficult for the hitters in their Seido Second Army team to compete with James.
If James completely crushed their Seido Second Army hitters in today's game, when the summer competition starts, he might really make a splash.
The game started, and the Seido High School baseball team attacked. The first to stand in the batter's box was a third-year senior. With Rachel Thompson's reminder, he also figured out what James wanted.
"If you want to use us as a stepping stone, you have to see how much weight you have."
The third-year senior raised the bat high, and facing the flying baseball, he swung the bat without hesitation.
"Ping!"
The baseball was clearly hit out, but the third-year senior's face was pale.
"Grounder!"
After the baseball bounced off the ground, it went directly into the glove of the first baseman of the third-year city high school.
"Bang!"
"Out!"
"Out!!"
"Out!!!"
In just five pitches, the top three batters of the second team of the Seido High School baseball team were eliminated. The teammates in the rest area of the Seido High School baseball team were stunned. It's not that they hadn't thought that this guy named James Walker might be very strong. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been promoted to the first team of the city's third high school as a rotation pitcher in his freshman year.
It's just that the ace of the city's third high school has such a strong presence. So this rotation pitcher seems inconspicuous. But they still didn't expect that the opponent's pitching would be so formidable.
"The speed of the ball is close to 140 km/h, the ball control is also accurate, and there are changeups."
Even if it's just these data on paper, it's scary enough. Not to mention, standing in the batter's box to compete with James, the feeling is even deeper.
"His pitching is not as simple as the data on paper."
A group of people looked at each other.
"Defend first, and don't lose points no matter what."
Rachel Thompson ordered the second team's ace pitcher to come on the field. At the same time, she told Carl to get ready. It's no longer realistic to rely on offense to open the situation as soon as possible. James's strength is there, and he is in good shape today. It's not easy to get a hit from him. If the Seido High School baseball team wants to win today's game, they can only defend the situation first.
After the players came on the field, Rachel Thompson turned around and looked at the rest area. In addition to the nine players on the field, there were a full 17 people in the rest area. They filled the entire rest area. Facing a powerful opponent, these people also showed cautious expressions on their faces. Even if they didn't actually play, they obviously felt the pressure that James's pitching brought to them.
Just the pitching of nearly 140 km/h is difficult enough to handle. Not to mention, with the precise ball control and changeup. It is understandable that the players feel stressed.
Just as Rachel Thompson was thinking this, she suddenly discovered that one person's performance was completely different from those of the players around him. That person sat in the corner nonchalantly, looking very relaxed.
"Mr. John!"
Rachel Thompson suddenly spoke, startling John Howe who was slacking off. At such a tense juncture of the game, why did Rachel Thompson suddenly call him for something?
John looked up, confused.
"What do you think of James's pitch just now?"
John, who heard this question, told the truth: "It's okay!"