# 1 - The One Pitch
Source: [Crunchyroll](https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GYX0MZ58R/ace-of-the-diamond)
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(Please feel free to edit the speaker names if incomplete or inaccurate. Names are handled on a best-effort basis depending on the info on the source file. Dialogue is left as is.)
**[00:03] Eijun**
It's the bottom of the ninth
and the score's tied.
**[00:06] Eijun**
Two outs, bases loaded,
**[00:09] Eijun**
and the count is
three balls, two strikes.
**[00:29] Eijun**
For the Akagi Junior High Baseball Team,
**[00:33] Eijun**
this became our final game.
**[00:37] Umpire**
Game set!
**[00:38] Umpire**
Schools, line up.
**[00:40] Umpire**
Excuse me. Please line up.
**[00:43] Wakana**
Eijun!
**[00:49] Eijun**
I'm sorry.
**[00:51] Eijun**
I couldn't take
you guys to the nationals!
**[00:54] Wakana**
Eijun...
**[00:56] Nobu**
Ei-chan...
**[01:02] Enemy1**
What is this guy on?
**[01:04] Enemy2**
A team that can't even catch pop
flies or grounders in the nationals?
**[01:09] Enemy1**
I heard your school's
being demolished soon.
**[01:12] Enemy1**
Here to make some
last-minute memories?
**[01:13] Enemy2**
There's no way we were going
to lose to a team with a girl!
**[01:17] Enemy1**
You gotta be kidding me.
**[01:22] Eijun**
This is our spirit.
**[01:24] Eijun**
The Akagi Junior High Spirit.
**[01:28] Enemy1**
Huh?
**[01:30] Eijun**
Take this!
**[01:33] Wakana**
Eijun!
***SIGN*** The One Pitch
**[03:09] Sano**
You idiot!
**[03:11] Sano**
Do you even know
what you did to yourself?
**[03:14] Sano**
The other team's coach and
families came roaring to you.
**[03:17] Sano**
the players glared at you with hatred,
**[03:19] Sano**
and you slapped them and
the umpire them twelve times!
**[03:22] Sano**
Are you really okay
**[03:25] Sano**
finishing your three years of junior
high baseball with a record like that?
**[03:28] Eijun**
I understand your anger, Coach.
**[03:31] Eijun**
I feel ashamed for losing
to such a team of clowns.
**[03:35] Sano**
That's not the point!
**[03:37] Sano**
I'm not talking about
the outcome of the game!
**[03:39] Sano**
I'm talking about your slapfest!
**[03:40] Eijun**
Oh, that?
**[03:42] Sano**
Of course!
**[03:43] Eijun**
Oh, I am so ashamed.
**[03:51] Sano**
After all the work you put in
as the team captain...
**[03:55] Sano**
It's hard for me to say this,
**[03:57] Sano**
but some high schools
might not want you now.
**[03:59] Eijun**
I'll be fine.
**[04:02] Eijun**
All I need is a ball
and a bat to play baseball.
**[04:07] Eijun**
That's how we've always been doing it.
**[04:09] Sano**
You really don't get it...
**[04:11] Principle**
Sawamura-kun.
**[04:13] Sano**
Principal?
**[04:14] Principle**
If you like baseball,
you must learn to follow the rules.
**[04:19] Principle**
Violence is never the answer,
even if it's for your teammates.
**[04:28] Eijun**
All right.
**[04:35] Eijun**
Well, I think I've repented
enough, so see ya!
**[04:41] Sano**
Hey, come back here, Sawamura!
**[04:43] Principle**
Oh, it's fine, Mr. Sano.
**[04:45] Sano**
But...
**[04:47] Principle**
He wanted people to remember
our school before it's demolished.
**[04:52] Principle**
I am truly proud of him
for staying late every day,
**[04:56] Principle**
practicing for that goal.
**[05:03] Sano**
He made me procure buses
to take them to practice games,
**[05:06] Sano**
and he made me treat them all
to barbecue for winning.
**[05:08] Sano**
Knowing I won't have to do that
any more is like a dream come true.
**[05:16] Sano**
He went on a rampage when
his teammates were riduculed.
**[05:23] Sano**
It was certainly a very
"Eijun" way to end things.
**[05:31] Eijun**
In the end, I couldn't win
a single game in junior high.
**[05:40] Nobu**
Ei-chan!
**[05:42] Nobu**
Did the coach finally let you go?
**[05:44] Kenta**
Was he super mad?
**[05:45] Eijun**
That would be an understatement.
**[05:47] Eijun**
I came running out
because he wouldn't shut up.
**[05:48] Teammates**
Yeah, that's you, all right!
**[05:51] Teammates**
Won't he still be mad?
**[05:52] Wakana**
Aren't you going to have a hard time
finding a school after that incident?
**[05:56] Eijun**
What are you saying, Wakana?
**[05:58] Wakana**
What are you going to do, stupid?
**[06:00] Wakana**
You need to think before you act.
**[06:10] Eijun**
No need to be so blue and worried, guys!
**[06:13] Eijun**
We're all going to the same high school.
**[06:17] Eijun**
I mean, let's keep it real.
**[06:21] Eijun**
Even if the schools merge
and ours gets demolished,
**[06:24] Eijun**
we'll still have the same
school spirit if we stay together.
**[06:28] Eijun**
We couldn't go to the
nationals in junior high,
**[06:31] Eijun**
but let's make it
a reality in high school.
**[06:35] Nobu**
Ei-chan...
**[06:37] Everyone**
Yeah.
**[06:40] Eijun**
You just wait, nationals!
**[06:42] Eijun**
We're coming to take over!
**[06:47] Wakana**
So...
**[06:48] Wakana**
how do you plan to get in
without an invitation?
**[06:51] Wakana**
The school we're applying to isn't
exactly easy to test into, you know?
**[06:59] Wakana**
Your brain is the biggest of our worries, too.
**[07:06] Eijun**
You guys have all been studying?
**[07:08] Kenta**
Like any normal person would.
**[07:09] Eijun**
Seriously?
**[07:10] Eijun**
I'm still stuck on fractions in math!
**[07:12] Nobu**
I think you should give up.
**[07:14] Eijun**
Never give up!
***SIGN*** Must Win
**[08:06] Gramps**
Eijun!
**[08:08] Gramps**
Hey, Eijun!
**[08:09] Gramps**
Someone's here to see you.
**[08:13] Eijun**
I'm screwed, Grandpa!
**[08:16] Eijun**
Everyone's flying away,
leaving me behind!
**[08:20] Gramps**
Stop dreaming!
**[08:23] Gramps**
Now wash up and come downstairs.
**[08:25] Gramps**
Someone came all the way
from Tokyo to see you.
**[08:30] Eijun**
From Tokyo?
**[08:37] Rei**
Nice to meet you.
**[08:40] Rei**
You must be Eijun Sawamura.
***SIGN*** Rei Takashima Seidou High School Baseball
**[08:46] Rei**
I'm the assistant director
of the Seidou High School Baseball Team.
**[08:49] Rei**
My name is Rei Takashima.
**[08:52] Rei**
We would love to have you on our team.
**[08:56] Eijun**
Seidou High School?
**[08:58] Gramps**
Hey!
**[08:58] Gramps**
Seidou High is a famous baseball school
that's been to nationals numerous times!
**[09:04] Eijun**
Is that supposed to be
amazing or something?
**[09:07] Gramps**
You play baseball,
and you've never heard of Seidou?
**[09:10] Eijun**
Never.
**[09:11] Gramps**
There are tons of professionals
on TV who've graduated from Seidou.
**[09:17] Eijun**
It's more fun to actually play
baseball than to watch it on TV.
**[09:22] Gramps**
Shut your mouth!
**[09:27] Gramps**
Please excuse my grandson's ignorance.
**[09:29] Rei**
No problem.
**[09:31] Gramps**
But why would such a famous school
in Tokyo come here looking for him?
**[09:37] Rei**
I was present at the game he played
the other day and saw great talent in him.
**[09:44] Gramps**
But there was an incident after the game...
**[09:48] Rei**
Yes, the use of his wrists in his slaps
truly represented his ability as a pitcher.
**[09:55] Dad**
This is your chance, Eijun!
**[09:57] Gramps**
Tell her you'll accept the offer
before she changes her mind!
**[10:01] Mom**
We need to celebrate with a feast tonight.
**[10:04] Eijun**
What? Hold on...
**[10:07] Gramps**
Do you have something to say?
**[10:08] Eijun**
I'm gonna go to Tokyo just to play baseball?
**[10:11] Eijun**
Besides, I don't want to play baseball
in such a stuffy environment.
**[10:18] Gramps**
Do you know what you're saying?
**[10:20] Dad**
Do you have any idea
how amazing this offer is?
**[10:22] Mom**
Seriously! This is your
best bet for high school.
**[10:25] Eijun**
It's true that this'll be much
easier than testing into a school.
**[10:31] Eijun**
But I'll be chasing after
the same dream wherever I go.
**[10:34] Eijun**
So I'd rather do that with
the teammates I have here at home.
**[10:44] Gramps**
E-Eijun...
**[10:49] Rei**
I see.
**[10:56] Rei**
So, when would you like to pay us a visit?
**[11:00] Eijun**
Wait—
**[11:01] Rei**
We're going to get busier as time goes on,
**[11:03] Rei**
so it would be nice if you
could come as soon as possible.
**[11:06] Eijun**
*I-Is she even listening?*
**[11:10] Rei**
The baseball field is a mirror
that reflects the players' spirit.
**[11:14] Rei**
It's the only place you can
find the truth, Sawamura.
**[11:17] Eijun**
The truth?
**[11:19] Rei**
That game...
**[11:22] Rei**
That final ball you pitched...
**[11:26] Rei**
Bottom of the ninth,
two outs and bases loaded.
**[11:28] Rei**
A single hit will cost you the game.
**[11:30] Rei**
That pitch wasn't like
any pitch you'd made before.
**[11:37] Rei**
You raised your right leg
without a hint of doubt in you.
**[11:41] Rei**
Your form, balanced on one leg,
was truly beautiful.
**[11:46] Rei**
Your natural ability to prevent a bad
outcome showed as you stood in danger.
**[11:51] Rei**
Or perhaps it was your pride
as a pitcher, but that pitch...
**[11:58] Rei**
You threw it instinctively with your
heart and soul to take that batter down.
**[12:08] Eijun**
That last ball I pitched?
**[12:11] Rei**
I saw the qualities of a true
pitcher when you threw it.
***SIGN*** Emergency Family Meeting
**[12:18] Gramps**
She's been saying weird things from the start.
**[12:21] Gramps**
Like the slapping thing, too.
**[12:22] Mom**
I wonder if she's really from Seidou.
**[12:24] Eijun**
She sounds suspicious to me.
**[12:29] Rei**
Anyway, you should come
see one of our practices.
**[12:35] Rei**
From what I saw,
**[12:36] Rei**
you didn't have an actual instructor
**[12:39] Rei**
or rivals who drove you to strive
to improve at your junior high school.
**[12:45] Rei**
If you are *actually* aiming
to go to the nationals,
**[12:50] Rei**
you should gain something
from seeing a top-level practice.
**[12:55] Eijun**
*The nationals...*
**[13:02] Eijun**
*Is it just me?*
**[13:04] Eijun**
*Or did she make fun of my junior high team?*
**[13:09] Eijun**
*You better be kidding me!*
**[13:11] Eijun**
* Very well! I'll take a good look*
* at your so-called "top level."*
**[13:25] Rei**
Like it?
**[13:26] Rei**
This is our prestigious baseball practice field.
**[13:30] Rei**
We have an indoor practice area over there,
***SIGN*** Seidou Spirit Dorm
**[13:33] Rei**
and most of the team
members live in the dorms.
**[13:37] Eijun**
Wow! What is that machine?
**[13:39] Eijun**
There's so much stuff I've never seen!
**[13:44] Eijun**
I-I'm not falling in love or anything!
**[13:46] Eijun**
I was just caught off guard!
**[13:48] Rei**
Is that so?
**[13:50] Eijun**
Besides, you don't need all this
expensive equipment to play baseball.
**[13:55] Eijun**
I bet you just gather all the best
players from around the nation.
**[13:58] Eijun**
Then it's no surprise that you're good.
**[14:01] Eijun**
In fact,
**[14:03] Eijun**
I would hate to lose to a top-tier team
that's granted anything they want.
**[14:12] Rei**
I won't deny the fact
**[14:14] Rei**
that half of our team members
are from outside the prefecture.
**[14:17] Rei**
They're here to play
baseball abroad, so to speak.
**[14:21] Eijun**
*So you do just invite the good players.*
**[14:24] Rei**
However,
**[14:25] Rei**
this is the age when Japanese high school
baseball is known to be the best in the world,
**[14:29] Rei**
and some scouts come from the major league
to invite players to their teams.
**[14:33] Rei**
"I want to be the best baseball player, ever."
**[14:36] Rei**
Fifteen-year-old boys leave home
**[14:40] Rei**
for the purpose of honing their abilities.
**[14:44] Rei**
I respect all players who have
that determination and aspiration.
**[14:51] Eijun**
*Determination...*
**[15:05] Eijun**
She's right.
**[15:06] Eijun**
I can feel a sense of tension in the air.
**[15:10] Azuma**
Kawakami! Are you kidding me?
**[15:13] Azuma**
You throw like a girl!
**[15:15] Azuma**
How about you pitch with some feeling?
**[15:18] Azuma**
You're already tired?
**[15:20] Azuma**
This is why you can't make the team!
**[15:22] Kawakami**
I'm sorry.
**[15:24] Member1**
Azuma's at it again.
**[15:26] Member2**
He shows no mercy once
he gets his eyes on someone.
**[15:29] Azuma**
If you don't want to get better,
then go back home to your mommy!
**[15:32] Azuma**
We've got plenty of pitchers to replace you!
**[15:36] Kawakami**
I want to get better!
**[15:38] Azuma**
Then give me your best shot!
**[15:40] Rei**
You should take a good look at his batting.
**[15:44] Rei**
That's Kiyokuni Azuma, a monster with
forty-two home runs in his high school career.
**[15:49] Rei**
He's one of the players who'll
be drafted this year.
**[15:58] Azuma**
It's like I'm swinging through air!
**[16:00] Azuma**
You're gonna make my skills rust like that!
**[16:02] Azuma**
Kawakami!
**[16:03] Azuma**
You're done! Get off the mound!
**[16:06] Azuma**
Someone carry him out!
**[16:08] Azuma**
Put him in a cardboard
box and send him home!
**[16:12] Eijun**
What's his problem?
**[16:18] Eijun**
He's gonna play pro ball with a body like that?
**[16:20] Eijun**
Impossible!
**[16:22] Eijun**
Look at his belly!
**[16:24] Eijun**
He looks like an old man!
**[16:26] Rei**
Sawamura, stop!
**[16:28] Eijun**
I bet he's at least forty years old!
**[16:30] Eijun**
There's no way he's in high school!
**[16:34] Azuma**
Who in the world...
**[16:36] Azuma**
is making fun of my cute belly?
**[16:41] Eijun**
Cute belly?
**[16:43] Eijun**
I think you mean your fat belly!
**[16:51] Member1**
Who is that brat?
**[16:52] Member1**
Does he have a death wish?
**[16:54] Member2**
Azuma's been trying to lose
that weight for a while, too.
**[16:58] Azuma**
Get out of my way!
**[17:00] Rei**
S-Stop, Azuma!
**[17:02] Rei**
Sawamura, you apologize right now.
**[17:05] Eijun**
A "baseball abroad" program?
**[17:08] Eijun**
Maybe everyone here has
determination and aspiration,
**[17:12] Eijun**
but just being better doesn't give you the right
to talk trash about other people.
**[17:16] Eijun**
He made fun of his pitches,
**[17:19] Eijun**
and then told him to go back to his mommy?
**[17:23] Eijun**
Even if everyone else is fine with it,
**[17:25] Eijun**
I'm definitely not gonna let it slide.
**[17:29] Eijun**
You can't play baseball by yourself!
**[17:39] Eijun**
Did this prestigious school not teach you
**[17:42] Eijun**
that this is a team sport?
**[17:54] Eijun**
* So I'd rather do that with*
* the teammates I have here at home.*
**[17:58] Rei**
*So he cherishes his teammates.*
**[18:03] Rei**
I'm sorry, Azuma.
**[18:05] Rei**
He just came out
of the countryside,
**[18:06] Rei**
so he's completely clueless
about the real world.
**[18:08] Rei**
He's a pitcher.
**[18:10] Rei**
Do you mind showing him
what batting is all about?
**[18:14] Azuma**
Sure.
**[18:15] Azuma**
I don't mind at all.
**[18:17] Azuma**
However,
**[18:19] Azuma**
I won't let him get off the mound
until he begs for mercy.
**[18:29] Eijun**
Wait a minute!
**[18:30] Eijun**
I never asked to have a match
with some jerk like him.
**[18:34] Rei**
Sawamura,
**[18:36] Rei**
this is a baseball field.
**[18:39] Rei**
If you have something to say,
**[18:40] Rei**
you're going to have to
say it through baseball.
**[18:44] ---**
Now, go get changed.
**[18:48] Miyuki**
This sounds like a lot of fun.
**[18:52] Miyuki**
Rei,
**[18:54] Miyuki**
can I catch his pitch?
**[18:58] Eijun**
Who's he?
**[18:59] Rei**
Kazuya Miyuki, a catcher.
**[19:03] Azuma**
Miyuki!
**[19:04] Azuma**
You're a first year!
Don't get cocky!
**[19:07] Miyuki**
Well, excuse me.
**[19:09] Miyuki**
But you've been kinda high on horse lately,
**[19:12] Miyuki**
so I just think it'll do you good to play
with us kids to go back to basics.
**[19:17] Azuma**
Who's on a high horse?
**[19:20] Member1**
Kazuya, be careful what you say!
**[19:22] Member2**
He's gonna jump you!
**[19:35] Rei**
Miyuki, I'm glad you volunteered.
**[19:39] Rei**
His pitches are a bit peculiar.
**[19:45] Rei**
He himself doesn't
even know what he has.
**[19:49] Rei**
Think you can draw
out his potential?
**[19:56] Miyuki**
Wow, big praise.
**[19:59] Miyuki**
You must have high
hopes for this kid.
**[20:03] Eijun**
Damn it.
**[20:04] Eijun**
What am I even doing?
**[20:06] Eijun**
I knew I shouldn't have come here.
**[20:15] Wakana**
Eijun's in Tokyo?
**[20:20] Eijun**
Ow.
**[20:22] Miyuki**
Wait.
**[20:24] Miyuki**
Is this your first time
with the hardball?
**[20:27] Eijun**
*I didn't know*
**[20:30] Eijun**
* that the hardballs were so*
* much harder and heavier.*
**[20:35] Azuma**
Hey, kid.
**[20:38] Azuma**
If you're gonna apologize,
you better do it now.
**[20:42] Azuma**
Once you get up to the mound,
**[20:45] Azuma**
there's no place for you to run.
**[20:53] Eijun**
Who do you think you are anyway?
**[20:56] Eijun**
You're the one who'll
be begging to run away.
**[20:59] Eijun**
In fact...
**[21:01] Eijun**
No hard feelings even
if I happen to hit you!
**[21:09] Miyuki**
Oh, man! This guy's hilarious!
**[21:11] Azuma**
Miyuki!
**[21:13] Azuma**
Nothing's funny here!
**[21:15] Azuma**
You wanna get hurt?
**[21:16] Miyuki**
Oh, I'm sorry.
**[21:44] Eijun**
* On this day, I pitched*
* eleven balls.*
**[21:49] Eijun**
*This day changed my baseball career*
**[21:52] Eijun**
*forever.*
**[23:35] Eijun**
I have a one-on-one with Azuma.
**[23:37] Eijun**
He's a monster who's going
pro once he graduates.
**[23:40] Eijun**
But I can't stand a guy who
talks trash to his teammates!
**[23:44] Miyuki**
A great pitch won't be born without
the battery working as one.
**[23:47] Miyuki**
Just one all-out pitch
he throws to Azuma
**[23:50] Miyuki**
makes a huge difference in his fate.
**[23:53] Miyuki**
Next time on *Ace of the Diamond*:
Partner.
**[23:57] Miyuki**
Let's win the national title!