"Is Seidou High School going crazy?"
Not only were the spectators stunned by the lineup of Seidou High School, but even many professionals were left bewildered.
They simply couldn't understand the reasoning behind Seidou High School's decision. Even if their opponent wasn't very strong, the way they chose to rotate players didn't seem appropriate.
After all, their opponents were not just any team, but the formidable Kasugaichi High from East Tokyo.
Despite Kasugaichi High's recent lackluster performances over the past two years, their foundational strength remained solid, and their overall capability was still commendable.
Surely, they couldn't be weaker than Seidou High School's substitutes, right?
If Seidou truly wanted to rotate their lineup and conserve strength, they should have kept a few key players in the game to ensure a foolproof strategy.
In high school baseball, there is no way to turn back. Once you fail, there's no second chance...
Considering Seidou High School's previous achievements in the Spring Koshien, they had already effectively reached their strategic goal, securing a seeded spot among the top 16.
And even if they were to lose today, they would still qualify for the Kanto Tournament.
As for the championship position in the Spring Tournament, for the elite teams in Tokyo, it was like the pizza crust, just an extra bread after the pizza.
Nonetheless, Seidou High School, as a reigning champion, shouldn't voluntarily forfeit victory. Given their current prestige, even in defeat, they must lose to a prestigious opponent. If an insignificant team could triumph over Seidou High School, their once-great reputation would be shattered.
All these explanations boil down to one core message: Seidou High School should not, and cannot, afford to give up on this tournament.
No one in the audience believed Seidou High School would intentionally lose like this.
Yet, despite the incredulity, the reality unfolding before them continually reminded them:
Seidou High School might have already given up on today's game!
Otherwise, how could they explain the current situation?
In the audience, Owada Akiko's mouth hung open in shock, wide enough to fit two eggs.
Her expression was one of utter disbelief.
To be fair, she couldn't be blamed for this reaction. In her experience, she had never seen Seidou voluntarily concede any game.
If someone had told her before today that Seidou High School might give up on a game, she would have firmly rejected the idea.
She would have confidently declared, "Seidou would never give up on victory!"
Although she had only become a fan of Seidou High School's baseball team in the past year, she had already noticed many of their habits.
This team was remarkably principled, never resorting to any extra plotting or overly sly tactics. They treated every competition, even practice matches, with utmost seriousness and respect.
While they might adjust their lineup from time to time, they had never willingly forfeited a victory.
That was simply not the Seidou High School way.
But how could she explain what she was witnessing now?
With no answers in her mind, she turned her gaze to her senior, Fujio, a veteran reporter from Baseball Kingdom Magazine.
"I'm not a mind reader or Superintendent Kataoka, so I can't guess what he's thinking. But this situation can only mean two things: one, Seidou has given up on today's game."
"Impossible!"
Even with the evidence before her, Akiko shook her head vigorously, refusing to believe it.
"And the other possibility?"
Upon hearing her question, Fujio's expression turned serious.
"Although it may sound unpleasant, this speculation is undoubtedly the closest to the truth."
"The other possibility is that Superintendent Kataoka believes that even with an all-substitute lineup, Seidou still has enough confidence to defeat their opponents."
Like a dull thunderclap, this realization exploded in Owada Akiko's mind.
Suddenly, she understood the significance of Seidou High School's decision.
'But wasn't it too risky?'
"The players who represented Seidou High School previously were always their main starters."
Fujio continued calmly, "As for the substitutes, while they may occasionally rotate onto the field, their roles have always been supplementary, never truly showcasing their strength."
"In other words, others have no idea what their actual capabilities are?"
When Akiko heard this, she instantly grasped her senpai's point.
She gazed thoughtfully at the field, then at the rest area of Seidou High School.
Unlike before, when the substitute players in Seidou's rest area would cheer for their teammates battling on the field, now that cheering was absent.
In the rest area, a row of players sat there quietly, lacking any spirit. They showed no intention of cheering on their teammates, looking as wilted as frostbitten onion.
The whole atmosphere felt deflated.
"This isn't good, we have to cheer too!"
Toujou suddenly produced a megaphone horn from somewhere.
Yet no one responded.
Toujou stood there awkwardly, puzzled.
After a long pause, Maezono finally stood up.
In that moment, he seemed to have battled inner conflict.
"When we were on the field before, Yamaguchi and the others actively cheered us on. Now it's our time to return the favor—let's genuinely support them!"
A cold breeze swept through, but none of the seated players responded.
"Miyuki, come on, you're the team captain! Can you at least give us a reaction?"
Maezono exclaimed in frustration at Miyuki.
Miyuki, having seemed lost in thought, finally snapped back to reality and stood up to clap.
"Well said! As expected of our vice-captain. It's up to you."
He looked at Maezono with trust, as if willing to hand everything over to him.
Then he simply sat down again.
"Damn! You jerk!!!"
Maezono's eyes turned red, almost as if flames could burst forth.
Sawamura stood up and positioned himself between the two captains.
"That's right! Let's give it our all!"
With Sawamura's prestige, his calls for action in the team had always met with enthusiastic responses.
But this time, it was clearly different.
Kuramochi and Shiratsu exchanged glances with Sawamura but remained silent.
"What?! Not even me?"
Sawamura was taken aback by the lack of response.
Everyone here was typically a key player, and while it was fine to be substituted occasionally, having the entire starting lineup replaced made it difficult to cheer.
How thick-skinned did one need to be to pull that off?
Even with Sawamura's experience and open-mindedness, it was challenging to genuinely cheer for teammates on the field.
"Have you grasped the mindset of the substitutes?"
Coach Kataoka turned to his proud students and asked lightly.
The players looked at one another, confused.
"What does the Coach mean?"
Kuramochi whispered to Sawamura.
Sawamura shrugged helplessly.
How was he supposed to know?
Could it be that Coach Kataoka wanted them to stay here to experience what it felt like to be a substitute?
It wasn't that Sawamura was overthinking; he genuinely had no idea of Coach Kataoka's current intentions.
Whether on the field or in the rest area, most Seidou players felt lost, bewildered by Coach Kataoka's decision.
However, not everyone was feeling confused; a certain group was overjoyed.
They are Ecstatically happy!
Those were the players from Kasugaichi High School.
Initially, when they realized they would be facing Seidou High School, the Kasugaichi players despaired.
They figured it was hopeless to win, but at least they could enjoy the fun of playing baseball.
Initially, they thought they would face humiliation today, but to their surprise, Seidou High School fielded an entire substitute lineup.
They felt no shame from this; unlike the spectators who were furious at Seidou for underestimating them, the Kasugaichi players were instead grateful.
Seidou High School was so considerate, fearing their starters would appear too dominant, that they opted for substitutes.
Where else in the world could they find such a thoughtful opponent?
At that moment, the Kasugaichi players gazed at Seidou High School as if looking at a beloved crush.
Their appreciation was palpable.
In stark contrast to Seidou High School's confusion, the morale of Kasugaichi High School is soaring.
They had prepared themselves to face a crushing defeat but didn't expect to be presented with such an opportunity.
While they believed it would still be difficult to defeat Seidou High School, they were confident they could take on the substitute players. After all, the main roster of Seidou High School wouldn't stay benched forever.
If the game's situation becomes dire, the main players will surely take the field one after another.
But that didn't matter.
At least at the start, their game would be very easy, and they might even dominate Seidou High School.
"Just thinking about suppressing the mighty Seidou is exhilarating!"
"Right?"
"I feel the same too!"
"So thrilling!"
Given this context, the fact that Kasugaichi High School has such an opportunity is something they cannot afford to miss.
In the future, when they go to college, they can brag to their friends.
~~~
"Do you know Seidou High School? They are the legendary team that made consecutive appearances at Koshien and twice dominated the nation!"
"I know!"
"I even played against them once, and the score was…"
~~~
Just thinking about it gives them a little thrill.
With such a relaxed mindset, the players from Kasugaichi High School are especially motivated. Even when they start shouting slogans, they are louder than those from Seidou.
The game begins, and Seidou High School attacks first.
This time, the first batter for Seidou High School is Nishiyama!
If they were using their previous lineup instead of substitutes, Nishiyama would have quickly risen in the batting order.
Even so, the fact that Nishiyama is entrusted with the responsibility of the leadoff spot shows Coach Kataoka's confidence in his batting ability.
Standing in the Batter's Box, Nishiyama opens his stance, eager to hit the ball out of the park.
At this moment, the players from Kasugaichi High School also take note of Nishiyama. They won't underestimate him like the players from Bunkyo High School did.
They have already identified Nishiyama and gathered ample information about him. The most crucial point is that they analyzed game footage and discovered that Nishiyama's batting strength is formidable, even among the selected players of Seidou High School.
'Don't let the fact that he's just a first-year fool you; his strength is definitely impressive. We must be extremely cautious!'
On the pitcher's mound.
Kasugaichi High School's Ace pitcher nods firmly after receiving a signal from his partner.
Although none of Seidou High School's main roster players are on the field and only substitutes who had been warming the bench are playing, the pitcher of Kasugaichi High School never underestimates the opponents in front of him.
After all, they are Seidou High School—the reigning champions.
These players are not weaklings; they've simply been relegated to substitutes because Seidou's main players are so strong.
No one can accurately gauge their strength, but it's obvious that their capabilities are not to be taken lightly.
"But I'm not planning to back down!"
Despite knowing the opponents' strength, the Ace pitcher from Kasugaichi High School has no intention of retreating.
Throughout his three years of high school, he has worked diligently and has immense confidence in his own abilities.
Whoosh!
The ball darts like a brilliant flash of light, instantly covering the 18-meter distance and landing in the catcher's mitt.
SNAP!
"STRIKE!"
Nishiyama does not swing at the first pitch.
Although Watanabe had previously gathered a wealth of information, which could lead to a solid first swing, this rhythm doesn't suit Nishiyama.
No matter how detailed the intel, he prefers to rely on his own eyes to assess the opponent's pitching and strength.
'So slow!'
…