Major 2nd (TV)

I love baseball.

The reason I love baseball so much is...

Essay recital

"Dreams for the future"

...because I love my father.

My pop—My father is a pro baseball player.

In the past, he's pitched in the MLB in America,

and he's also played for the Japanese national team.

But now, since he hurt his shoulder,

he's giving it his all as a batter in the Japanese pro league.

My Dream

I really, really love my father because he's always strong and cool.

When I grow up,

I also want to be a pro baseball player like my father!

And I want to play in the major leagues,

and become the best in the world!

"My Dream"...

...by Shigeno Daigo!

Rock, paper...

Daigo's Dream

scissors!

And shoot!

And shoot!

I won!

All right, Daigo won.

What do you want to watch?

Pop's World Series!

What? Again?

Pitcher: Number 56, Goro Shigeno!

Pop!

Jeez, we already know the result. It was 12 years ago.

The catcher is Satou Toshiya!

He's been friends with Pop since they were both little.

You're right.

They were huge rivals up until high school, though.

Wow.

I'll join the local team when I get to the fourth grade, just like they did!

Whoa, that means we'll be a family full of baseball players!

That's true! After all, I used to play, too.

You and Pop were a battery, weren't you?

Yeah, kinda.

Next year, I'll join the baseball team at my middle school.

Pop...

I wish I could play catch with Pop...

Ack! It's Gibson Jr.!

Go! Strike him out in three!

Keep it down, Sis. Haven't you already watched this countless times?

Goro

Oh, it's your pop.

Hello?

Hey, it's done. I passed the tryouts.

I'll be playing in the Taiwanese league from next season!

R-Really? Congratulations!

Ah, and what else?

What? You're supposed to go join their training camp right away?!

All right, I'm off.

Don't overstretch yourself, you hear?

Give it everything you've got, Pop!

Right on!

Bring us presents when you come home.

Sure! You got it!

Oh, I almost forgot. This is for you, Daigo.

Huh? What is it?

A glove!

You're joining the Dolphins in April, right?

Let's race to see who becomes a regular first!

All right!

Not fair! I'm joining the baseball team at my middle school in April too, y'know.

I gave you one before...

It's in tatters now.

All right, all right. Next time, okay?

Pop, let's play catch!

Sounds good!

Your flight's leaving soon!

Pop, let's play catch when you come back!

Shigeno

Shigeno Goro makes the starting lineup in the Taiwanese league

Daigo, here's your towel.

Ah, right.

Have you got everything? Your glove?

It's in there.

Make sure to greet the manager and the coach properly.

They're your pop's old baseball buddies.

I will. I'm off!

So this is the Mifune Dolphins.

Today is my first step toward real baseball.

Gather round!

Let's introduce the new fourth graders who are joining the Mifune Dolphins this year.

State your school and your name.

Takami Grade School: Kimura!

Takami Grade School: Ariyoshi!

Takami Grade School: Kishimoto!

Yamamuro Grade School...

Hey, speak up!

Sorry.

Yamamuro Grade School: Matsubara!

Yamamuro Grade School: Nagai!

Yamamuro Grade School: Katsumoto!

All right! And last in line...

Yessir!

Mifune Grade School: Shigeno!

Huh? "Shigeno"?

"Shigeno"? Could he be...

Yes, that's right. Shigeno Daigo.

He's the brother of Shigeno Izumi who was with us up until last year.

Which means that he's the son of Shigeno Goro.

Oh, Izumi-san's brother...

Shigeno the Second, huh?

We've got a super rookie on our hands.

Pop really is a superstar.

As you're aware, Shigeno Goro started in Little League and made it to the top.

So follow his example, everyone!

Yes, sir!

All right, let's begin practice!

Yes, sir!

His dad went to the major leagues, you know.

He was supposed to be really good as a kid, too.

I bet his son's amazing, too.

All right. Newcomers up next!

We'll go in order.

Yes, sir!

Next!

I'm sorry.

Next. Daigo!

Yessir!

We've always been together.

Ever since I was born, I've always had baseball.

That's why...

I don't want to lose to anyone!

Huh? It bounced again.

Isn't that pretty average for a fourth grader?

Last one!

I-I'm sorry!

What's he doing?

Dammit...

I'll show them next time!

We're going to assess which positions you have an affinity for.

Does anyone have a preference?

Yes! I'd like to be a pitcher!

Daigo? Well, I guess both your dad and sister were pitchers.

All right. Give it a try.

Yes, sir!

All right, show me what you got.

I've practiced my pitching a lot.

Especially my control.

All right, that'll do.

All your pitches were strikes. Your control is great.

However, Daigo... it's too soon for you to be pitching, I'm afraid.

Huh?

I noticed it when you were throwing during the defense drill, too.

Right now, your shoulder isn't very strong.

Even compared to other kids your age.

I understand why you want to do it, but for now, don't insist on pitching.

Work on building up your muscles instead.

You'll still have time to become a pitcher after that.

B-But...

U-Um...

I've always played pitcher at school, so if possible, I'd like to try that...

Really? All right, try pitching some.

Yes, sir!

Not bad at all.

Try throwing it without tensing up. Just relax.

Yes, sir!

Nice one.

All right, Kimura. Nice swing.

Thank you.

Thank you very much!

Let's do this.

I hear Shigeno the Second didn't make pitcher.

Really? Even though he's Shigeno Goro's son?

Strike!

Hey, Daigo! Keep your eyes on the ball!

Being his son doesn't automatically make him good.