The next couple of innings went by in similar fashion, with Fujimi showing the same tactics, yet unable to get a run on the board. The controlled and consistent pitching of Kouichi kept them at bay.
However, Ken noticed a shift in the players body language. If before they were just going through the motions with expressionless faces, they now seemed more alert, making eye contact with each other and even being more vocal.
Kenji and Shiro were the proponents of this as they started to be more aggressive with their pitches. It was the top of the 6th innings and Keisuke was in the batters box, ready for the first pitch.
His expression was desperate. This was the first game that he had such little impact, not even able to get onto first base after 2 at-bats. He prided himself on being the lead-off batter for Seiko, yet he was being shutdown.
Keisuke had already resolved himself to swing for the fences, no matter what.
The ball came whistling towards him and he swung without hesitation, intending to send the ball into the stands. However, he missed completely, almost spinning around on the spot because of the huge force of his swing.
Ken’s eyes opened wide before a smile formed on his face. That pitch was the first intentional ball that Kenji had thrown all game, filling him with excitement.
His gaze moved to Coach Kitsui who finally had a change of expression. His usual smile was nowhere to be seen, now replaced by a displeased frown. He had not even been upset when Fujimi had given up 2 runs, yet only after a single ball his face had contorted.
‘Hahaha, so that coach can have this kind of expression too?’ Ken felt a sense of pleasure seeing the reaction of Fujimi’s coach. However, he had a feeling as if it was going to be a lot worse.
Unaware of the new dynamic, poor Keisuke continued to swing at the ball for the next two pitches, thinking they would be within the strike zone as Kenji had done all game. However, he was quickly struck out.
Ken stifled a chuckle and placed his hand on Keisuke’s shoulder, giving him some condolences for striking out in 3 pitches. He walked up to the batters box and got into position.
The moment he got into place, the outfielders suddenly ran back, no longer sitting further infield as they had done last game.
“Hahaha, so you’ve finally decided to play your own way now?” Ken said, talking to Shiro who had already crouched down and was preparing for the pitch.
“We’ll strike you out our own way.” Shiro said, a smirk forming on his face.
However, before the first pitch could come he heard a voice on the field demanding for a time out. The umpires looked at each other before giving the signal and approving the time out.
Coach Kitsui stormed onto the pitch and went straight to the mound, getting close to Kenji with a furious expression.
“What are you doing? I told you to walk this batter and the other 2!”
He was at least a head taller than Kenji and was looking down at him intimidatingly, causing Ken to feel his anger rising. The poor boy was staring at the ground and clenching his fists tightly.
This was probably not the first time that the coach had talked to him this way, as even some of the other players looked away uncomfortably.
Shiro walked over to the mound, his chest puffed out ready to defend his friend.
“Don’t listen to him Kenji. Just focus on what you want to do.” He said, not even looking at the coach.
“What!?” Coach Kitsui was incensed. He hadn’t expected to be so brazenly ignored during a match, so much so that he was at a loss for words momentarily.
Kenji finally raised his head and stared into the eyes of the man who had slowly squeezed the joy out of his beloved game.
“I won’t do as you say anymore. After this game, I’ll be leaving the team.” His face was filled with resolution, wanting to break free from the shackles imposed on him.
Coach Kitsui’s face turned bright red as the anger reached his head. “P-Preposterous! I’m banning you from the squad right this instant. I have no need for rebellious youths like yourself in my team.”
He turned to the dugout and shouted out, “Satoshi, Kiyoto! You’re replacing Kenji and Shiro, hurry up and get on the field.”
However, the two both turned the other way as if they heard nothing. A look of confusion crept onto the coach’s face before realization suddenly hit.
“Oh I see how it is… Yuji! Hiro! It’s finally time for you to step up.” He called to the two first years who were on the bench. Although he didn’t want to use them, he needed to salvage some face.
Yet once again he was ignored, leaving him stranded on the mound with everyone’s gaze upon him. He had never felt such embarrassment before, nor had he ever been disrespected this much in public.
“Y-You two!” The coach’s face turned bright red as he pointed at Shiro and Kenji, about to take out his frustrations on the two youths.
“Coach, it’s time to resume play. Leave the field now or you will be disqualified.” One of the umpires walked over and sent out a warning, perfectly interrupting the meltdown that was about to happen.
Coach Kitsui felt as if he was going to tear out his hair, he had never experienced such a thing in his 20 years of coaching. Years of studying the game of baseball had allowed him to perfect his coaching methods.
He didn’t need players that stuck out, all he needed was for them to listen to his orders. He was the general, the tactician and the emperor, and these were just his peasants who should never disobey him.
The redness in his face began to dissipate, yet his face twisted into one of scorn. “You two have really done it now. I’ll make sure that you don’t get into any baseball program in Japan in your life!”
Without waiting for the umpire, he walked straight off the field and into the dugout, slamming his hat on the ground and kicking it. After his tantrum, he stormed off, not even wanting to stay and watch the game.