"All right!"
The developments of life are like choosing a road at a crossroads.
You can take the road of Ideals, you can take the road of dreams…
However, for a man who is getting older and has a house and a kid, It's all bullshit.
For a man like Ochiai right now, money is the most important.
A 20-year contract was enough for him to retire. Moreover, Ochiai also liked the kind of feelings they showed to Coach Kataoka now at Seidou High School.
This is completely different from the way they dealt with problems at his previous team.
At Seidou High School, under the roof of a Famous School, there is still a heart.
One that is enough to warm his heart!
Of course, no matter how good an interview is, it is of no use. The real situation will not be known until he reaches Seidou High School.
"You've said it before, the current Coach Kataoka is a player, and I am a coach. There must be various differences of opinion between us. When we have differences, how should we deal with them?"
Before taking office at Seidou High School, Ochiai raised this question.
The dean of Seidou High School was very hesitant. He was a little scared. If he told Ochiai about Kataoka's true character, it would affect Ochiai's judgment of Seidou.
Kataoka was very famous for his strict actions in the baseball club of Seidou High School.
He can ignore the principal's opinion, not to mention him, the dean!
"I think you can try to talk it out with Coach Kataoka first."
In the end, the dean could only give Ochiai such advice.
He really didn't know what else to say!
Ochiai was also keenly aware of this.
He originally thought that when he went to Seidou High School, he would definitely face very dictator-like management.
Unexpectedly, when they actually met, they were two completely different situations.
Kataoka's attitude was very respectful and very polite.
Because Ochiai has more experience than he does as a professional coach.
"During this period, I am afraid that my main energy will be on the first string. So I hope to leave the training of the second string to you."
Kataoka directly let him lead the training of the Second String!
Such trust motivated Ochiai, and at the same time, he had a clearer understanding of Kataoka.
'It seems that my new boss is not difficult to get along with.'
On the same day that Maezono and the others returned to the Second String, Ochiai took office!
As for the current First String, Ochiai did not want to intervene right now.
70% of the current first-string are third graders, and Kataoka alone trained them.
If he intervenes, it may cause confusion for the players.
There are barely two weeks until the summer competition, and in such a short time, his advice will only add chaos to the string.
However, the Second String is different!
Kataoka is now wholeheartedly putting his energy into the first string, and the second string is just training sheep under the leadership of ordinary coaches.
Moreover, they are often drawn out to cooperate with the First String for training.
It's different now!
Under the management of Ochiai, they will conduct systematic training and exercises.
After taking over the second string of Seidou, Ochiai had to sigh with emotion. Although Seidou High School has not entered Koshien for five consecutive years, their heritage is still rich.
If nothing else, just take this year's freshmen as an example. There are now three first graders in the ranks of the First String.
These three first grades are qualified to represent Seidou High School.
There is no doubt about their strength.
Even in addition to these three, among the current freshmen, there are still several good seedlings.
He caught sight of Toujou Hideaki almost at a glance.
The most amazing thing about the young man is his beautiful batting skills.
Toujou's batting strength is enough for the boy to be qualified for the first string of Sagara-Kokai, the Famous School where Ochiai worked before!
In addition, he got such skills despite being only a freshman.
It is conceivable that his future must be bright.
Not just batting, but also pitching potential.
130+ km/h ball speed, precise ball control…
A good and well-honed pitcher.
From the record when the boy was in middle school, he also represented the team and won the top four in the National competition.
"Good! Very good!"
Ochiai was a little overjoyed.
In addition to Toujou, Kanemaru and Takatsu are also good.
It can be seen that they all received the most traditional baseball education, which coincides with Ochiai's coaching philosophy.
In the next period, he will train these three players well. After the retirement of the third grade, they will be the main force.
Even if he didn't see it in person, Ochiai knew that the Seidou High School First String must be extremely strong now.
Seidou High School has confidence in them, and they believe that this year's Seidou will definitely go to Koshien.
They haven't been to Koshien for five years in a row. If they want to come to Seidou High School they must know the difficulties.
Even so, they are still confident that they will be able to enter Koshien this time.
It is not difficult to see that this Seidou High School is stronger now.
However, In High School Baseball, Ochiai, who has more than ten years of work experience, is very clear about a rule.
The rule is, that the farther you go in this season, the harder it will be for you to start in the next season.
This time, Seidou High School is likely to achieve their ideal results.
They may also be eliminated early due to bad luck.
These are all uncertain things.
Nevertheless, one thing is certain. That is, after this season, the main force of Seidou High School will inevitably undergo a major change.
From the nine starters, there are six third graders.
Among the substitutes, the third grade also accounted for more than half.
It is conceivable that once the third-year seniors graduate, this Seidou team will inevitably face a reorganization.
They will even become two very different teams from before.
"How to make Seidou High School survive the coming crisis will depend on my actions!"
Ochiai smiled slyly and his training of the Second String fully began.
Of course, Kataoka discussed some things with Ochiai before this.
From Ochiai, Kataoka learned a lot of knowledge and experience.
Regardless of their attitudes, both of them actually really like baseball.
And as long as they really like baseball, their general judgments on some things are about the same. Of course, there are still differences.
Ochiai made no suggestion for the current composition of the First String.
Nevertheless, the Second String, a few players was not in his line of sight.
"Kataoka-san, do you really think that the strength of Maezono can lead the second string well?"
Now the captain of the Second String is the Maezono.
Ochiai felt very strange, why did Coach Kataoka like Maezono?
From his judgment, the strength of Maezono is not very noticeable. In addition, the talent is average, his brain is… well let's say dull…
Such a person can stay in the Second String is already a miracle, how can he be the leader?
Ono and the others are obviously much more suitable than Maezono!
…
T/N: The First Chapter!