After the game, Zhang Han ate well and took a long, comfortable bath.
His plan was simple. A nap first, then practice. If the welcome match was still going by the time he finished, he would go watch.
He was genuinely curious about it. He wanted to support the two younger players who had also come through Matsukata Little League, and he wanted to see what Jinguuji, who had been pestering him lately, and Sawamura, who had struck out Azuma Kiyokuni last year, would do when it actually mattered.
Last year, he and Miyuki had been the ones to stand out. He wondered how many new students would make their mark this year.
He was just heading back to his dorm when Captain Yuuki found him.
"Coach Kataoka is looking for you. Go now."
"Okay."
The summons caught Zhang Han off guard. He couldn't help thinking of what Miyuki had said earlier.
Was he actually going to be involved in the welcome match?
The welcome match was generally for second and third-year players who hadn't made it into the first string. For most of the third-years especially, it was considered their last real opportunity to show what they had. After this, when Coach Kataoka and the coaching staff made their selections, they would look at the first string and second string candidates only. Anyone who hadn't made either roster simply had no stage to perform on, and without a stage, there was no way to earn an exceptional promotion.
In Coach Kataoka's office, several important figures were already seated, deep in discussion about the upcoming match.
"Coach Ochiai, what's your read on this year's new students?"
"Not bad. A few good prospects in there. Most of them can't show their full strength yet, but formed into a team, I think they'd have some fight in them."
Ochiai sounded confident.
"With you coaching them, I believe the new students can bring some impact to the second and third-year players."
Coach Kataoka appeared equally optimistic.
"Using only the second string as practice opponents would serve as a wake-up call, yes. But if you also send the players on that list out there, isn't that a little cruel to the new students? The confidence they worked so hard to build coming into high school could be completely shattered."
Manager Ota had reservations about the arrangement.
And it wasn't just the nine second string players. Several first string players were on the list as well. A lineup like that could enter the Kanto Tournament without embarrassing itself.
"When I ran the selections earlier, I asked the second and third string players directly whether they had the confidence to take on first string players. Anyone who didn't, I told them, probably wasn't ready to contend for a first string position. Fortunately, everyone agreed, and they're all motivated. So this welcome match is exactly the right stage to test what they're made of."
Coach Kataoka said it plainly.
"And the first string players on the list? Are they being tested as well?"
Manager Ota looked at the list Coach Kataoka had produced. He could barely believe what he was reading.
If everyone on this list needed to be tested, who in the first string didn't?
"Of course. This is not only a test of their strength but also of whether they are suited to their current positions."
Coach Kataoka had been planning this welcome match for a long time. Every name on the list, the preliminary selection process for the second string and new students, all of it had been calculated in advance.
Seido's goal was to dominate the nation. On the road to that goal, they would face serious challenges. The current team had clear strengths and clear weaknesses. On the surface they looked formidable, but sustained pressure from top programs could expose the gaps. Their overall combat depth was not yet sufficient.
In that situation, Coach Kataoka had no choice but to break from convention and seek out talent wherever it existed. Third-year, second-year, or brand new first-year student. If the ability was there, he would promote them.
Manager Ota was still working through the list when Coach Ochiai, who hadn't had a chance to look at it yet, finally picked it up.
The first name on the list stopped him cold.
Zhang Han.
How could it be Zhang Han?
There might be first string players whose positions were genuinely up for review. But Zhang Han was not one of them. If Seido were fielding only two players, Zhang Han would be on that list without question. A player like that needed to prove himself in a welcome match?
The names that followed confused Ochiai just as much.
Coach Kataoka was indeed sending a significant number of first string players, and each of them was genuinely strong. Substitute catcher Miyauchi, substitute catcher and pinch hitter Chris, substitute pitcher Kawakami, and starting third baseman Masuko Toru.
Most of them were substitutes, aside from Zhang Han and Masuko. But after studying them for a while, Ochiai had come to understand that even Seido's substitutes were not ordinary players.
Especially Chris.
A team built around these players, combined with the top second string candidates, could compete in the Tokyo Tournament and not look out of place.
Was it really necessary to throw that at the new students?
Ochiai had come in thinking that with his guidance, and with the genuinely talented players among the new intake, his group could at least make a decent showing against the main second string. He had been too optimistic.
Coach Kataoka had no intention of going easy on anyone. He simply set the bar higher for everyone.
"Tap, tap."
A knock at the door.
"Come in."
Zhang Han pushed the door open and stepped into the office.
Coach Kataoka stood, walked over, and got straight to it.
"I have a task for you in the upcoming welcome match."
"Yes, sir."
Zhang Han was puzzled, but when the coach said something, what else was there to say?
"Are you tired?"
"No problem."
He hadn't taken the mound that morning, only played outfield, so his body still had something left in it.
"Good. You'll be pitching with your right hand. Not the full game, but I'll have you go a few innings."
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