Battery

-That was a solid hit. -You can hit off that pitcher.

-Yeah? -Yeah.

They're still kids.

You look pretty unhappy there, captain.

You really think Harada can be hit off that easily, Shun?

Sorry.

But I'm going to gobble up your pretty princess.

What?

I don't think your princess is going to last until your next at bat.

Shun, cut it out!

-Can't hit over there. -Three outs, change sides!

-Everyone, remember that. -Yes, sir.

Shugo, your princess is done for.

He'll be lucky to last until next inning.

He's way too fragile.

And how can you tell that?

How can you not, idiot?

In other words...

...you're only thinking about that date you had with the princess.

That's why you can't tell anything.

Is Nitta Higashi really that bad of a team?

Don't ask me such a basic question so seriously.

Nitta's not bad.

But that battery is an issue.

The princess and the big catcher.

You couldn't do much worse.

Jono, don't get tricked by the speed. Just try to get a piece of it.

-I know you'll be able to hit it. -Yes, sir.

All right.

Shun, is he having an off day?

Why are you worrying about the opposing pitcher's condition during our game?

Like I said...

...it's the battery, not the princess that's the problem.

What do you mean?

I'm not surprised.

You wouldn't understand.

Good one, Hagi!

All right.

He's mentally a mess right now.

He has no idea what he needs to throw.

But we still can't hit a home run.

Our batters are barely able to get singles. That's quite the princess.

So why is the princess getting hit off of?

You're a batter, unlike the princess.

Unfortunately, your princess is a pitcher.

Pitchers can't do anything when they don't have a catcher to catch.

Shun, just tell me. Why--

Just concentrate on the game.

Ball four.

See, Ikebe walked. That was four balls.

How could a guy with such great ball control...

...not be able to throw a single strike?

Your princess is on life support.

They're changing out their whole battery?

Shugo, Kaionji is coaching with way more composure than you.

Wow, that really hit you hard.

It was the first time I've ever met someone like him.

But this might be it.

At the very least, your princess is gonna need some time to return to the mound.

-Is that what you think? -100 percent for sure.

Guys like him are stupid fragile.

Three outs, change sides.

-We're changing sides. -What, why?

Mr. Sakiyama grounded out to the shortstop.

They got a double play.

Damn it, what are we gonna do?

You're going to have to bat next inning.

-What do you mean? -They pulled the princess out.

I figured your heart won't be in it.

You're not gonna ask for a pinch hitter, are you?

Hey, screw you!

What the hell are you boys doing?

Oh, crap! We're busted!

What do you mean, sir? We're just playing a game, coach.

Don't give me that! The school never gave you permission for this!

You think you can just put this game together on your own?

But, coach, it's Sunday.

This is our own personal time.

Don't give me that personal time excuse when you're wearing Yokote's uniform!

Excuse me.

My name is Tomura.

I coach for Nitta Higashi.

-Do you think we can continue? -Doubt it.

Game's a forfeit.

Looks like our coach is real pissed off.

I can't believe this is happening. We're having such a good game.

Sorry about this. I'll try talking to Coach.

Don't waste your time. Besides, look how scared everyone is.

That's it for today.

Well, I'm sorry for all the trouble we've caused you.

So, what are we doing after this?

Our Kadowaki here hasn't had his fill.

He can't sleep because he dreams about his beloved princess every night.

Don't you feel sorry for him?

Shun, cut it out!

Kaionji, I know you don't want to just leave things like this.

-Have another game with us. -But--

It was fun, getting to play a team we wanted to, not one the school picked.

Yeah, it was.

So let's do this again. We don't need to hurry.

We can wait until after our exams.

Okay, I think we'd all like that.

We have a deal!

-But there's one condition. -One condition?

You have to promise to let the princess take the mound.

You mean Harada?

Kaionji, could you look the other way for me for a second?

Please.

Okay.

Why did we lose?

Go, it's Mr. Kadowaki.

Harada.

Yes?

Don't give me that!

Are you screwing with me?

After all that big talk you did!

What the hell was that?

Do you understand that you just got dragged off that mound?

Mr. Kadowaki, you can't do this to our teammate!

You think you won because you managed to strike one of us out once?

Do you even know how pathetic you were out there today?

I do.

Nagakura, was it?

I'm Mizugaki.

How long have you known the princess here?

We met this past March.

So it's only been six months?

Then I guess you wouldn't know how to get along yet.

Mr. Mizugaki, do you remember what you said in the batter's box?

What? Did I say something?

You told me I couldn't catch for him.

What did you mean by that?

I meant exactly that. You're not fit to be the princess's catcher.

You're just dragging him down.

With someone like the princess, you need a catcher that can go toe to toe.

When you've got one like you who's desperately trying to keep up...

...it'll eventually fall apart.

And look where that got you today.

If you two stay a battery, you'll only destroy yourselves.

And as for me, Nagakura...

...I've been playing baseball with this Kadowaki wonder kid for years.

Hurry up, you two! We're leaving.

Shugo, come on, we're done here.

Sorry, Princess. Pitch to us again sometime.

As long as you're not too scared to.

-Let's go. -Nagakura.

You don't have to run. Hang back here.

-The rest of you go running. -Yes, sir.

Sit down. I'll throw to you.

I'm not holding back.

-How was that? -Yes.

I think they're powerful throws.

-And what about in comparison? -What?

I'm asking you how it was compared to his pitches.

To Takumi?

Coach, you throw like a fielder. I can't really compare it to Takumi.

Okay, that's all then.

I'll have him throw at 70 percent then.

That's what I'll tell him when he's finished his test.

I'll tell him to learn how to pitch around their batting at 70 percent.

Then someone other than you can still catch for him.

Are you going to tell Takumi not to throw his hardest?

If I don't, he won't be able to get back on the mound.

-I don't think Takumi would agree to that. -No?

He might ask me to let him back on the mound, actually.

He hasn't been doing a lot of pitching practice in the month since that game.

I think Harada might be at his limit.

If you can't be his catcher...