Chapter 148

Short Summary
The distrust in the Mariners causes them to make mistakes in their game. Meanwhile the Lycaons consistent wins finally put them in the lead of the pennant race.

Long Summary
The divide in the Mariners has gotten deep. Tokuchi’s comments to the press continue; this time he’s claimed he saw the Mariners’ head coach, Yuasa Shuuzou, talk about demoting Brooklyn to the minors. Coach Yuasa, watching the broadcast, exclaims he never said that. Tokuchi also states Thomas described Brooklyn’s poor batting as beyond help, and Kitaooji insulted the Mariner’s pitchers. Thomas and Kitaooji both deny these reports, but even the players within the Brooklyn and Amami groups have become distrustful of one another.

Coach Muraguchi yells at the team that they’re now prohibited from any contact with reporters and they’re not to open their mouths during the game. All this does however is cause miscommunications during the next match. Kira pitches a fork when the catcher had told him to throw a slider because they didn’t know which sign pattern the team were using for the day. This mistake allows their opponent to equalise the score. Miscommunications like this continue and they only win half of their six games that week while the Lycaons win four of theirs. In their first game against the Fingers the following Monday, the Lycaons win again, finally putting them at the top of the pennant race.

Takami asks Coach Muragachi to gather the team. The Mariners no longer trust each other but he hopes if he provides them with something to put their faith in, the team will get past their differences. At the team meeting, Takami tells them he’s got a way to overcome Tokuchi. Kitaooji accuses him of bluffing but Takami says they don’t have to believe him here- in their first game against the Lycaons tomorrow, he’ll definitely hit a home run off Tokuchi.

Characters

 * Tokuchi Toua
 * Brooklyn
 * Thomas
 * Coach Yuasa Shuuzou
 * Coach Muraguchi
 * Kitaooji
 * Kira
 * Takami