Chapter 109

Short Summary
Tokuchi tells Sugadaira his chances of batting will increase if he takes vigorous practice swings.

Long Summary
If Sugadaira doesn’t prove himself this game, he’ll get sent back to the Minors with no chance of returning to the Pros, essentially being fired. Sugadaira gets upset that Tokuchi didn’t reveal this information until two outs were left before the end of the game.

The next batter is Imai. Sugadaira calls out to him to ‘please hit it’ and ‘don’t get out.’ Tokuchi laughs, pleased with the determination, but Sugadaira suddenly implores Tokuchi again to save him. Tokuchi says he’s already told him what he needs to do, but Sugadaira says that’s cruel; if the next two batters get out he won’t even get a chance to try, and it’s unfair that his fate should be out of his power. Tokuchi harshly reminds him he’s done nothing up to now to try to change his fate.

Tokuchi tells him the chances of both batters getting out is about 50% based on their on-base percentage. Sugadaira isn’t much encouraged, and Tokuchi says there is a way of making the chance 80%, or even 90. He should go and do some practice swings where the other team can see. Not just ‘any dry swing’ but one that will ‘overwhelm the opponents’ with his ‘spirit’. Sugadaira doesn’t see what it will achieve but has no other choice than to try it. The other team see his aggressive swings and wonder what he’s doing. Kojima asks him why told ‘such lies’ to Sugadaira, but Tokuchi tells him to ‘just watch.’

Imai gets four ‘balls’ and is walked to first base. Kojima looks shocked. So long as they don’t get a double play this round, Sugadaira will get a chance to bat. Ideguchi bats and also gets walked, making the bases loaded. Tokuchi explains to Kojima the purpose of the dry swings- since Sugadaira has batted poorly so far, the other team would have assumed they’d send a pinch hitter to replace him. But seeing his practice swings made them think he’s certain to go up to hit- in which case, they can load the bases and get a double play off him rather than face the good batters. Kojima points out Tokuchi could have told Sugadaira this, but Tokuchi says it’s time he understands why he’s ‘such a loser.’

Sugadaira finally heads up to the batter’s box in tears.

Characters

 * Tokuchi Toua
 * Sugadaira
 * Kojima
 * Ideguchi
 * Imai