Diamond No Ace: The Strongest Hitter

Chapter 32: Your Sudden Emergence

"That's it for today!" a familiar voice echoed from the field.

"Good work!"

"Is it over?"

After the young players left with their parents or on their own, Sendo's figure became more noticeable.

"Do you have some business here? If not, I have someone to meet shortly. If you want to visit, can it be on another day?" Coach Nakani asked.

"O, Coach, have I changed that much?"

"? Are you Akira Sendo?"

"What kind of expression is that, Coach?"

"What change? You look like a completely different person! If it weren't for your voice, I wouldn't have recognized you! How tall are you? 175 cm? No, you must be taller, right? It's hard to believe you're only 12 years old. And your hairstyle, haha!"

"Sorry, even though we keep in touch regularly, I didn't expect that it would take three years to meet again."

"Don't apologize! You didn't do anything that needs apologizing for. You still haven't answered me, though: how tall are you?"

"178 cm. I've grown quite a bit over the years."

"Have you been sticking to the training regimen?"

"Every day! My body is still as flexible as a child's, thanks to that regimen."

"That's good. That regimen ensures your body doesn't settle into a rigid form as you age. It means that, regardless of what sport you pursue, you won't be told that your future's been compromised because your body has set into a shape."

"I know, Coach!"

"Do you eat regularly?"

"Twice a day."

"I knew it, you wouldn't eat properly during holidays!"

"Yeah!"

Their conversation was simple, routine but warm, revealing Coach Nakani's genuine joy. For Coach Nakani, who only has a daughter, Sendo is both a student and like a son.

"Alright, come in! No one else is inside now!"

"Sure!"

"How is your team doing at the moment?"

"Very cheerful! But they're also pretty bad!" Sendo showed a hint of a smile.

"I see, that's great!"

"Perhaps!" Sendo understood what Coach Nakani was implying and responded accordingly.

"What do you think is essential for a student baseball team? What can a coach bring to them?"

"Professional training? Or winning matches?" Sendo suggested tentatively, but Coach Nakani shook his head at each option.

"For student baseball, the most important thing is for the players to thoroughly enjoy the game, relish the tactics, base running, hitting, fielding, and the joy that comes from the whole match process. Winning or losing, that's baseball!"

"The Wildcats too?"

"The Wildcats too! I know what you're trying to ask: with so many complex strategies, how can there be enjoyment, right?" Coach Nakani smiled gently and explained patiently.

"How do you know the players don't enjoy the game? You should know I often let them think for themselves."

"They have to figure out how to cope, trust each other, cooperate with each other, in every at-bat, every defense, every run, every collaboration."

"Players will feel joy for every success and reward for decisions made based on the situation, which will make them love thinking more, enjoying the game. Whether facing stronger opponents, confronting crises, or dealing with opponents they can't beat head-on, they enjoy the mental challenge and teamwork, and the joy of victory. That's the Wildcats!"

"A coach's role is to nurture players, guide them onto paths suitable for them, and provide support in crises."

.....

"I don't expect you to understand completely, you are unique! Your path is one you must explore on your own."

"Thank you, Coach!"

"Alright, if you have any questions, ask them quickly! First, tell me about your team's situation in detail."

...

"I see, this team really seems like a cheerful bunch! And your idea of focusing on small-ball tactics with base running is quite good. It suits a team like yours well. So, what kind of training have you arranged for them?"

"Their fundamentals are quite weak, so I've been giving them intensive training..." Sendo shared the past few months' training regimen with Coach Nakani.

"Your approach is correct, but it's a bit too perfectionistic. It's great that the players enjoy practicing, but monotonous, repetitive training can be demotivating."

"You should get them into joint training as soon as possible and try some practice games. Winning or losing doesn't matter; baseball becomes fun only through games."

"Also, about teaching each player to judge balls and strikes and to avoid swinging at bad pitches, you should start that early, and I can help with that."

"With the sixth graders retiring, we're starting a new team. Having batters in the hitting zone during pitching practice, even in a simulation environment, will enhance practice effectiveness. In a couple of days, you can bring them here as temporary batters and runners to practice judging balls and strikes by seeing real pitches."

"We can also arrange for our pitchers to face them in formal matchups. How does that sound?"

"Wouldn't that interfere with you?"

"As I mentioned, our new team consists of fourth and fifth graders, and we don't have many substitutes. Having your team here could actually improve their training as well!"

"Okay!"

"Also, the regimen I gave you back then can be used for their training as well. Base running requires explosive power. Since you want to use this kind of tactic, explosive power training is essential."

"I totally forgot about that!"

"These are just my immediate suggestions. Don't rush; there's plenty of time ahead."

"I understand!"

"Coach!"

"Hmm?"

"I heard that during the years I was on the same team, things were quite challenging."

"Where did you hear that? Was it Sasaki?"

"Do you still keep in touch with him?"

"Occasionally, but not much lately. A lot has been going on, and he's been training hard."

"Indeed, those years saw a lot of exceptionally talented individuals in the Kanto region. Although they can't compare to you, they were remarkable in their own right. Our team lineup was just so-so. Besides Sasaki and Ichiro, who had talent and potential, winning was tough. We almost got knocked out several times."

"I see, but you still managed to win! That's really impressive, Coach!"

"Luck really wasn't on my side; for being such a great coach, geniuses didn't come knocking."

"No, quite the opposite. I think I was very lucky during those years."

"Didn't you just say there weren't any talented ones?"

"Because it was you whom I spotted as an extraordinary talent in the Wildcats! Even though there were many emerging talents during those years, you were in a different league altogether."

"But I only spent a month with the Wildcats!"

"That was enough!"

"As you wish! I'm heading back now!"

"When you feel the training is sufficient, contact me and bring them over!"

"Alright!" Sendo turned to leave without looking back.

"And I can introduce you to opponents for practice matches! Though I'm just a little league baseball coach, I have quite a few connections in middle schools too!"

"You're so chatty!"

"Hahaha!"

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