Short Summary[]
Tokuchi goes on as a relief pitcher. Saikawa comes up with a plan to have Tokuchi relief pitch whenever there’s a runner on third base.
Long Summary[]
Tokuchi being sent on makes this his fifth game in a row. Manager Shirooka isn’t sure what to make of the decision but is pleased to have the opportunity to see what Tokuchi’s capable of.
Observing the next batter, Kojima surmises the Bugaboos are a bland team, but in Shirooka’s hands even average players can become remarkable. Normally a team would hit a fly ball to the outfield in this situation but Shirooka is unpredictable. Ideguchi is also trying to figure out what the Bugaboos’ next move is. He sees Shirooka make a hand signal to his players and guesses they’re intending a double steal, and sends his own signal out to warn the fielders.
Shirooka, who’s figured out the Lycaons’ signals from watching their previous games, interprets Ideguchi’s code and sends out another one himself. Ideguchi observes the reactions of the runners and guesses it was the sign for a squeeze play. He calls out another coded warning to his team. In response, Shirooka performs yet another hand gesture to his players. Flustered, Ideguchi calls a time out, unable to figure out their intentions.
Tokuchi calls out to him and asks what he’s thinking so hard about. Ideguchi says he’s hoping for a double play, but Tokuchi laughs at his overthinking. With one out and runners on first and third, the ideal move isn’t a double play, it’s strikeouts. All the other teams' signals won’t matter if they can’t hit the ball.
The batter on base gets angry and dares Tokuchi to say that one more time. But true to his words, Tokuchi successfully strikes him and the following batter out. Shirooka is impressed, but not by the strikeouts. Tokuchi is the only one who saw through his fake hand signals. He hopes Tokuchi makes another appearance on the pitch tomorrow, eager to play against him more.
In Saikawa’s office, the Secretary comments that he’s excited to see what Shirooka has in store against Tokuchi tomorrow. But Saikawa says the game’s not over yet and he has no intention of taking Tokuchi out now. The Secretary looks panicked and tells him that if he lets Tokuchi play as more than a relief pitcher, he’ll keep getting outs. But Saikawa says he didn’t say anything about keeping him on as a pitcher.
At the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lycaons announce that Nishioka will be substituting the pitcher and Tokuchi will be substituting for the first baseman. The other Lycaons are shocked at this decision, but the Secretary understands Saikawa’s logic. A pitcher cannot pitch again once they’ve been taken off the mound, unless he plays as a fielder. Every time there’s a runner on third base, they can send on Tokuchi to relieve.
Shirooka doesn’t understand the decision at all, but is pleased. With this, he can defeat Tokuchi.
Characters[]
- Tokuchi Toua
- Ideguchi
- Saikawa- Owner of the Lycaons
- Kojima
- Coach Shirooka
- Oikawa