The game had begun.
Lucas Bright sat quietly and watched, but he did not feel bored at all.
In Korea, he was always on the field.
Although the situation was the opposite now, his heart started pounding as he watched a real baseball game unfold before his eyes for the first time in a long time.
More than anything, the fact that he could actually play baseball again excited Lucas.
But as the match progressed, he became more worried.
'They say the opposing team is a powerhouse in baseball, but the difference in skill between Santa Monica's second team and our first team is barely noticeable.'
It wasn't that FS High School's baseball team was weak.
'Our current team is also better than the team I played for in Korea.'
Of course, there is a contradiction in comparing it to when he was at the peak of his game.
He can't compare middle school baseball to high school baseball. However, even taking that into consideration, the standard of FS High School was quite excellent.
Nevertheless, if the skills of the opposing second team and the first team of His own are on par, this was representative of the level of United States baseball.
It also showed the wall he had to overcome.
'As expected. The level is high. If the first team had played, it could have been a 5-inning cold game.'
A cold game in high school baseball is when a game is forcibly ended if the score difference reaches 10 points in the fifth inning.
But there was something else that caught Lucas's eye. Was it because it was a practice match? The expressions of the players were consistently bright.
'I'm jealous.'
The game was now in its 5th inning.
The score was 3:5, with FS High School trailing by 2 points.
However, both teams did not back down easily, showing that their levels were similar.
FS High School got a hit and a walk, and before they knew it, there were two outs with runners on first and second base.
The 8th batter came to the plate and got a good count by getting 3 balls in a row.
'If he walks here, the bases will be loaded.'
Lucas also wanted his team to win. Even if it was a practice match, it was still a match.
However, the form of the number 9 hitter today was not particularly good.
There was no swing, and he could not hit the ball flying in the middle properly.
"Base on balls!"
In the end, according to the opponent's strategy, the 8th batter walked and got on base.
'They're intentionally skipping number 8 and trying to deal with number 9.'
Although it was a practice match, the opponent was also serious.
Now that the batter's weaknesses were identified, the plan was to delve into those weaknesses.
Lucas glanced at Coach Donald.
'What kind of strategy are you planning?'
At that moment, Lucas made eye contact with the coach. And Coach Donald, looking at Lucas, smiled.
"Do you even know how to bat?"
Coach Donald hadn't even seen Lucas at bat. When he found him on the first day, Lucas left the field just before he could stand as a batsman.
Lucas's pupils dilated at the sudden question.
'Do you know how to bat?'
Korean middle school and high school baseball teams are very different from those in the United States.
American students are generally selective and focused.
So, Americans choose either to be a pitcher or a hitter and work hard day and night.
But in Korea, most players do both pitching and batting. It was to find out what they could do best.
The players themselves were also lacking in some aspects.
'It's okay to say that it's the majority, but in Korea, the pitcher who throws the best also hits the best.'
And Lucas was also the best pitcher among Korean middle school students and showed good performance as a hitter as well.
"I know how to do it."
As soon as Lucas's voice was heard, the coach immediately informed the referee that he would appoint a pinch hitter.
Then he returned to the dugout and tapped Lucas on the shoulder.
"As you know, our number 9 is not in good condition today. It may be sudden, but please take good care of it."
The coach put a helmet on Lucas's head and even held out a bat.
"Don't feel burdened."
Lucas took the bat and sighed deeply as he left the dugout.
'Don't you know that sending out a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and 2 outs when the team is losing is the most burdensome situation?'
And didn't he say there was a rivalry with that school?
'This is an important match for me too. Why are you sending me out like this without me even warming up properly?'
But what could he do? It was already unavoidable.
Lucas entered the batter's box and took a batting stance, spinning the bat twice.
Lucas's preparation movements were cleaner than those of any other batter in the game.
* * *
"Huh? He's Asian?"
This was a statement from the Santa Monica baseball dugout.
A situation with bases loaded and 2 outs.
The player who came in to replace number 9, who was not in good condition, was none other than an Asian.
"I know. Is he really Asian?"
"What? Has FS gone as far as it can go?"
"Have they given up on the game?"
They had no intention of ignoring Asians altogether.
Many Japanese players show outstanding performance in the major leagues.
However, the Asian person in front of them did not look Japanese. Even if he was Japanese, in the end, he was just a pinch hitter.
Santa Monica was in a situation where their second team was participating.
Therefore, FS, whose school's reputation depended on it, had to win no matter what.
But in this important situation, they were putting forward an Asian as a replacement?
Complaints also came from Lucas's own team.
They didn't understand Coach Donald's choice.
'Why on earth…?'
'He's a pitcher. Does it make sense to send a pitcher to the plate for this important at-bat?'
The player who was replaced expressed his disappointment.
"Coach, I don't understand. Why did you replace me in this important situation?"
However, the coach kept his mouth shut, so Lucas couldn't hear the answer.
Their complaints also reached Lucas's ears.
'What can I do? The water has already spilled. And it's an important position for me too.'
WOOOSH—!
The pitcher wound up and threw the ball, and it flew into the center.
Lucas's eyes flashed, and he swung the bat.
TA-AK!
The grounds were filled with the cheerful sound of impact as the pitch hit the sweet spot of the bat.
The ball started to go straight out without slowing down.
At the same time, Lucas threw the bat in the air and leisurely walked to first base.
The ball went over the center fielder and over the fence.
Not only the pitcher who allowed a home run on the first pitch, but also everyone who watched the scene had the same reaction.
"What the F***."