ALL NOVEL Tanba Injured!!
Had Free time so wrote another chapter for today.
Enjoy ;)
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On the final day of camp, there was a round-robin between Seido, Inashiro, and Shuuhoku.
Kawakami was pitching in the match between Inashiro and Seido. He was exhausted and kept letting hits through.
In this match, good players weren't playing mostly the backups were because they didn't want to show their good cards to the opponent's team especially Inashiro, their fated rival.
In the end, Inashiro won the game by 4 runs.
Rei was going to watch the Inashiro Vs. Shuuhoku match because he knew Narumiya was going to pitch so he had to go watch.
As he was walking to the other field, he stopped when he saw Narumiya talking to Sawamura.
"Is Rei or Furuya throwing today? I hear those guys are pitching monsters even though they are 1st years.", said Narumiya.
"Yeah, I'll be pitching", said Rei approaching Narumiya.
"Oh, Rei!", exclaimed Sawamura.
"So, you're Rei huh", said Harada scanning Rei up and down.
"Never mind him, so how much is your throwing speed? What kind of Pitches can you throw?", asked Narumiya with twinkling eyes bombarding Rei with questions.
Sawamura's mouth was about to answer all those questions, but Rei closed his mouth with his hand before he could say anything.
"mmmm" "mmmm" Sawamura's voice muffled and nobody could understand whatever he was saying.
"No comment", said Rei taking his hand off Sawamura's mouth.
"Tsk, so we came here for nothing. Since I'm going to pitch you better watch me", said Narumiya walking away with Harada.
"That's it, I thought Rei would be someone strong but he's small just like you", said Harada.
"Shut up!", said Narumiya.
After a while in the field.
"STRIKE!", said the umpire. As Narumiya struck the batter out.
Only Insahiro had scored some runs. Shuuhoku had 0 runs so far.
What made Narumiya special was his breaking balls, a slider, and forkball. In terms of his Fastball, Rei beat him to it because Narumiya's fastball speed was 148 KM and Rei's was 150 KM. Almost the same but Rei still had a higher speed.
Using his fastball Narumiya struck out every batter.
Seido was watching the match from the sidelines. All the 3rd years were shocked to see Narumiya pitching again, and they thought he had improved compared to last year.
Rei was shocked seeing Narumiya's forkball and slider. Now he knew why everyone was so intimidated by him.
On the mound, Narumiya signaled Harada telling him he wants to throw the new pitch with twinkling eyes.
Harada changed his position and signaled for Narumiya to pitch his new pitch.
Narumiya pitched his new pitch, a changeup.
"STRIKE! BATTER OUT!", yelled the umpire.
Seeing the new pitch everyone on the sidelines was shocked especially Seido.
Rei was finally feeling the pressure from Narumiya's pitching.
"You've got to be kidding me", said Rei chuckling in disbelief. Narumiya could already pitch 2 breaking balls but now he learned a new one and each pitch he threw had high speed and good control.
Rei realized how heavy the weight of his goal was.
Facing the Inashiro dugout all the players on the team were fired up thinking they won't lose.
Round Robin round 3, Seido Vs. Shuuhoku.
Tanba was a starting pitcher and pitching his curve ball perfectly controlled.
He didn't let any run through this inning.
Seido's batting turn, their lineup was hard, and they hit many balls.
"Man, it's boring. I already know that Seidou can hit. I wish I could see that arrogant brat pitch. You're not working hard enough, Shuuhoku! Make Seido bring out the pitcher I want!", said Narumiya on the sidelines.
In Seido's dugout.
Chris was thinking about what Rei said to him at night.
Flashback.
"Chris Senpai, can I make an important suggestion regarding the team", said Rei to Chris who had just come out of the bathroom.
Chris nodded and sat down on his bed facing Rei, "Go on".
"Recently I have been observing our practice match's and I don't think the lineup is suited for our team how about we change it?", said Rei.
"You do know that coach makes these decisions plus the coach is going to change the lineups anyway", said Chris.
Rei nodded. "I know it's just that I know the coach might favor over some 3rd years instead of giving 1st years a chance. This notepad has the lineup I think would be good for the team and every player's strength and weakness", said Rei handing Chris a notepad.
Chris nodded and took the notepad. Looking at the notepad he was surprised that it was almost as organized as his.
Chris's eyes widened when he read the lineup written on the notepad. As crazy as it may seem Chris started to think the current lineup was way too insufficient. So, he might show this notepad to the coach.
Chris sighed in frustration.
Present time.
In the dugout, everyone was happy with Tanba and his pitching.
It was Tanba's turn to bat, so he went to the batter's box and took his batting stance.
Shuuhoku's pitcher pitched the ball in frustration and the ball slipped because of the sweat on his hand when he released it.
The ball went high and off course hitting Tanba's head.
Everyone gasped in shock seeing Tanba get hit.
Kataoka worried ran to the mound and got him a car to the hospital.
The match ended there for the day.
The next day the summer tournaments brackets came out.
Seido had 5 matches until the final and they won't meet Inashiro until the finals.
Kataoka announced that the Ace number would go to Tanba which disappointed Rei a little, but he knew he wasn't ready to be an ace yet.
In the meeting room, Chris, Kataoka, and Takashima were sitting and discussing about the lineups.
"Why do you think we should change it?", said Kataoka.
"Because with the current lineup we could barely score against Inashiro or any other famous team. I'm just saying that if we get in a pinch our batter should be able to save us", said Chris.
"I do get what you are saying but, I think the current lineup is the best one", said Kataoka.
Chris sighed and gave Kataoka the notepad Rei gave him.
Kataoka's eyes brightened up as he saw the lineup written on the notepad.
"Well, it's not bad, it's worth trying. But where did you get this notepad from?", asked Kataoka.
"Rei gave it to me in fact he was the one who made the suggestion", said Chris.
"I didn't expect that kid to have this kind of a talent", said Kataoka.
"Chris, since we never know the situation with Tanba. Prepare Furuya, Sawamura, and Rei for the summer tournament and fix their weaknesses as much as you can.", said Kataoka.
"Haii", said Chris.
"I'll leave It to you then", said Kataoka.