As suspected by Sawamura, there was significant disagreement within the coaching staff of Seidou High School regarding the selection of a new captain.
Generally, team leaders are often chosen from previous key players.
From the previous Seidou High School team, three key players remained: shortstop Kuramochi, outfielder Shiratsu, and pitcher Sawamura.
According to the true and tried process, the Captain should inevitably be one of these three.
They are all heroes who led the team to the peak of high school, and their leadership would likely command respect from their teammates in guiding the new team. Furthermore, their experience in the high stages means they are more experienced in leading the team out of difficult situations.
Choosing like this seems to have no problems at all. However, these three individuals have problematic flaws.
Firstly, Kuramochi. If asked to lead the team, he would probably gladly accept. However, upon further consideration, the coaching staff quickly abandoned the idea when contemplating the potential outcomes of Kuramochi's leadership. They do not want the team to be perceived as being in disorder.
Next, Shiratsu. He is diligent, talented, and well-liked... Everything is good, except his personality is not suited for leadership. Which team captain has such a calm character?
Lastly, Sawamura. If Sawamura Eijun were to be captain, there should be no problem. He previously served as both captain and coach of the Akagi Middle School baseball team and is experienced. However, there is also a fatal problem. Sawamura Eijun is not a second-year player but a first-year player. It's not entirely impossible for a first-year player to lead second-year players, but it will give the idea that the second year are not trusted by the management.
Of course, compared to Kuramochi and Shiratsu, Sawamura is relatively suitable. Even if he looks odd in it, he looks like a captain. Unlike Kuramochi and Shiratsu, who completely lack the aura of a captain.
Once a seemingly suitable candidate appears, the first voice emerges in support of promoting Sawamura as captain without seeking extraordinary talent.
The supporter of this proposal is probably someone no one would imagine. It's the team President Ota, who is least connected to Sawamura. To Ota, Sawamura is simply invincible, and there is no one more suitable for captain than him.
"Sawamura is the team's Ace player. Even after retiring in the third year, he will probably still be the cleanup hitter for the team. With this, if we promote him to be the Captain, wouldn't the pressure be too much on him?"
In response to this, Coach Ochiai opposes. Aside from some minor teams, the personal skills of pitchers are too strong, and it is rare for a powerhouse to assign an Ace pitcher as captain.
The training volume of Ace pitchers is twice that of ordinary players, meaning their training time is also almost twice as long. The average training time for ordinary players at Seidou High School is between three to three and a half hours.
Sawamura's training time is doubled from this. In this way, his own time is very limited, and giving Sawamura the role of Captain while also managing batting practice...
You can imagine how busy Sawamura will be. Of course, if capable, Sawamura has no problem with being busy. The key issue is whether Sawamura can keep the stability of his training with his time is too occupied and his energy is diverted.
"He can!" Ota asserts. His trust in Sawamura is unconditional. Coach Ochiai wanted to argue, but when he thought about Sawamura's daily performance, he couldn't articulate his rebuttal.
'Yes, if it's Sawamura, he might really be able to do it.'
Superintendent Kataoka remains silent, and Takashima proposes another person. In addition to the three main players, two others are relatively suitable.
One is the current catcher Miyuki, who, although previously had his main position taken by Takigawa Chris, has no issues with his ability. Moreover, he was once the absolute core player of Seidou High School. In the matches at Koshien, he was very prominent during his playing time.
Among the five stars of Seidou High School, three have retired, leaving only him and Sawamura.
There are no issues with both his ability and influence. Takashima is also inclined towards Miyuki. The reason is the same as Coach Ochiai's earlier thought.
Even in a powerhouse high school, when building a team centered around the Ace, it's rare for the Ace to serve as captain. It's impossible to handle both perfectly.
Moreover, he is also a second year, so the issue of seniority is also solved, and they don't need to go through the headache of convincing the second-year players with the decision to not sabotage their self-confidence.
Therefore, while Sawamura may seem very suitable, Takashima believes Miyuki is even more suitable.
The only problem is Miyuki's personality. This guy is a bit…irritating, often sarcastic, and not very popular.
In fact, speaking of personality, the most suitable person to be captain is Maezono. Unconsciously, he has become the leader of the second string, and everyone respects him.
However, Maezono himself has one problem, and that is his ability.
After the establishment of the new team, catcher Miyuki, pitcher Sawamura, infielder Kuramochi, and outfielder Shiratsu formed the core of the team.
The team is built around them, and the captain should ideally be chosen from among them.
Maezono's problem is that he is not a member of this core. After discussion, Superintendent Kataoka ultimately did not reach any conclusions.
In his mind, he is probably still hesitating. Is Miyuki good, or is Sawamura more suitable? As for the other three, he really hasn't considered them.
While Miyuki and Sawamura themselves also have issues, they can work it out.
The problems with the other three are too substantial and could potentially shake the foundation of the team, so Superintendent Kataoka will never let them take the seat.
While hesitating, Superintendent Kataoka intentionally sought the opinion of Seidou High School's former Captain, Yuuki.
"Although you are still the captain of the team now, it may not be good to ask this way. However, since we have so little time left, I have no choice but to ask you. Who do you think is more suitable to be captain, Miyuki or Sawamura?"
"Sawamura!" Yuuki said with great confidence.
"Why?" While this result was not unexpected for Superintendent Kataoka, he did not expect Yuuki to assert this so confidently.
"By making Sawamura the Captain, the team will become even stronger!" Yuuki said with full seriousness.
Before getting this answer, the scales in Superintendent Kataoka's mind were leaning toward Miyuki.
For him, Sawamura Eijun's pitching and batting are not yet fully mature. There are still many practices needed for him, and giving him heavy duties at this time could be detrimental to his progress.
However, when Yuuki said this, the scales that had originally leaned towards Miyuki unknowingly tilted back towards Sawamura.
...