# 20 - Self-Assertive
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.)
**[00:07] _Fan**
He's been pitching from the stretch
since before there was a runner.
**[00:10] int_Asada**
* Tall pitchers with big windups*
* get run on a lot.*
**[00:15] int_Asada**
* I was so upset when my middle*
* school teacher said that.*
**[00:19] int_Asada**
*I researched and developed this style.*
**[00:25] @Kataoka**
Strike!
**[00:27] int_Asada**
* Because pitchers like me,*
* with no remarkable features,*
**[00:30] int_Asada**
*often have to pitch with runners on base!*
**[00:33] Okumura**
Nice pitch!
**[00:37] int_Koda**
*He's calmer than I'd expect.*
**[00:41] _Fan**
He bunted the second pitch!
**[00:43] Okumura**
First!
**[00:44] Okumura**
Get the out!
**[00:47] _Fan**
The sacrifice bunt worked!
**[00:49] _Fan**
Now there's one out and a runner on third!
**[00:53] int_Asada**
*Good, we got an out.*
**[00:57] Seto**
Move in, move in! Get in closer!
**[01:00] _Player**
Are you serious?
**[01:05] _Fan**
The infielders are playing in close?
**[01:07] _Fan**
Hey, hey, you're down by eight runs!
**[01:11] _Fan**
Even if you prevent one run...
**[01:13] @Kuramochi**
No, they want to show they've
got a competitive streak.
**[01:23] @Kuramochi**
That they've got the will
to stay on the attack.
**[03:00] _Player**
Let's do this!
**[03:11] Seto**
Let's shut 'em down!
**[03:13] Seto**
Let them hit one my way, Asada!
**[03:15] Seto**
We'll get the out at home!
**[03:17] Ito**
Yeah, let's go!
**[03:19] _Player**
You guys don't know
how hard these guys hit.
**[03:23] _Player**
I'll use my whole body to stop the ball!
**[03:26] int_Mogami**
* I can erase my mistake. Wipe the slate clean.*
* It wasn't my fault. It was an exception.*
**[03:29] int_Mogami**
* I can erase my mistake.*
* Wipe the slate clean.*
**[03:30] Seto**
Let's see it, Asada!
**[03:32] Ito**
Focus on the batter!
**[03:33] _Player**
Stay aggressive!
**[03:34] _Player**
We'll stop it!
**[03:35] Seto**
He'll swing at the first pitch!
**[03:36] Ito**
Swing your arm all the way through!
**[03:39] int_Asada**
*Their voices are urging me forward.*
**[03:44] Nakamura**
I'll handle any fly balls!
**[03:53] Kukki**
What's this? They're calling out
a lot more than when I was pitching.
**[03:57] int_Kukki**
* Damn, I really wish I had*
* been in your battery,*
**[04:02] int_Kukki**
*Koshu Okumura.*
**[04:05] _Fan**
Their morale's improved
since those substitutions.
**[04:08] _Fan**
Yeah, I'm liking it.
**[04:12] Asada**
I... I guess I'm really doing this.
**[04:14] _Fan**
If they can hold them scoreless this inning,
the momentum's gonna shift.
**[04:27] (Flashback) fb_Okumura**
I'm going to make it to the first string.
**[04:30] (Flashback) fb_Okumura**
Once I do...
**[04:33] @int_Sawamura**
*That jerk!*
**[04:37] @int_Sawamura**
*He really is passionate deep down!*
**[04:44] Aso**
Having the fielders in so close
makes it hard for the runner.
**[04:49] Seki**
Yeah, and it prevents the squeeze.
**[04:53] Aso**
The outfielders are in
their normal positions.
**[04:55] Aso**
That's how far they can
get the out at home from.
**[05:00] Aso**
How will the older players score?
***SIGN*** Batting First Right Fielder
Kenichi Oka (second-year)
**[05:08] int_Player**
* If you're playing that close,*
* you're ready for what might happen.*
**[05:18] int_Player**
*Fine. Try to stop this, then.*
***SIGN*** ba-dump
***SIGN*** ba-dump
**[05:22] int_Asada**
*I'm not worried about the defense.*
**[05:24] Sakaguchi**
Bring it!
**[05:26] Ito**
We'll stop it!
**[05:28] int_Asada**
*I'm just worried about myself.*
**[05:32] int_Asada**
*I just want to pitch my best.*
**[05:38] (Flashback) fb_Okumura**
Let's show the second- and third-years how
the guys who stay in the cafeteria play.
**[05:44] int_Asada**
* I want to pitch the way that*
* Okumura-kun expects me to.*
**[05:51] int_Asada**
*I want to hit that mitt...*
**[05:54] int_Asada**
*with my best pitches!*
**[05:58] @Sawamura**
The ball slipped!
**[06:11] @Kataoka**
Ball.
**[06:14] _Fan**
Was that...
**[06:15] _Fan**
A curveball?
**[06:17] _Fan**
But the way it sank...
**[06:19] Asada**
I missed!
**[06:22] int_Okumura**
* That was a 12-6 curve, which even*
* right-handed pitchers rarely throw.*
**[06:27] int_Okumura**
* And he just threw it with*
* a southpaw's trajectory.*
**[06:31] int_Okumura**
* That's about as unique a pitch*
* that you could throw.*
**[06:36] Asada**
Was it the trajectory? Or the height?
**[06:40] int_Okumura**
* I don't know if he realizes it,*
* but the batter was taken aback.*
**[06:47] int_Okumura**
*Give me another.*
**[06:49] int_Okumura**
*Right in the strike zone.*
**[06:52] int_Asada**
*The same pitch again.*
**[06:55] int_Asada**
*Maybe it wasn't so bad.*
**[07:00] int_Asada**
*This time...*
**[07:04] int_Player**
*The same pitch, twice in a row?*
**[07:07] @Kataoka**
Strike!
**[07:13] _Fan**
He got an older player to swing and miss.
**[07:15] _Fan**
That's a good pitch!
**[07:17] _Fan**
He's got good control of it.
***SIGN*** Fidget
***SIGN*** Fidget
**[07:20] Yui**
That's a good pitch. He can use
it to mess up a batter's timing.
**[07:28] int_Okumura**
*Next, outside.*
**[07:37] _Player**
Whoa, right to the third baseman!
**[07:39] _Player**
The third-base runner couldn't move!
They got the second out!
**[07:42] Kukki**
Yeah! Nice pitch, Asada!
**[07:45] _All**
Two outs!
**[07:45] Asada**
Two outs!
**[07:46] Asada**
Two outs!
**[07:49] @Maezono**
After those curveballs,
that fastball seemed even faster.
**[07:53] @Maezono**
He pitched it right to the corner,
and the hit went right where he wanted.
**[07:57] _Player**
Just stop one more!
**[07:58] Seto**
Infield, back to normal depth!
**[08:00] Ito**
Asada, let them hit my way!
**[08:02] @Kanemaru**
That out made a big difference.
**[08:04] @Tojo**
Yeah, the first-years
are building momentum.
**[08:07] _Player**
Yeah!
**[08:08] _Player**
One more!
**[08:09] @Tojo**
The upperclassmen will definitely
want to shut them up.
**[08:16] @Kanemaru**
With a huge hit to ruin the mood.
**[08:20] @Tojo**
You've got an evil look
in your eye, Shinji.
**[08:22] @Kanemaru**
You started it!
**[08:25] int_Okumura**
*There's still a runner on third.*
**[08:27] int_Okumura**
*We can relax after we get this last out.*
***SIGN*** Batting Second Third Baseman
Makoto Ishikawa (third-year)
**[08:36] int_Asada**
* If I give up a hit now,*
* it'll all be for nothing.*
**[08:43] _Fan**
Strike!
**[08:47] Yui**
That big drop means the batter
will have to target a specific point.
**[08:53] Yui**
Even right-handed hitters
will have a tough time hitting it.
**[09:03] _Umpire**
Out!
**[09:05] _Fan**
The first-years stopped them!
**[09:06] _Fan**
A grounder to second base
for the third out!
***SIGN*** First-Years
***SIGN*** Second, Third-Years
**[09:13] _Fan**
The upperclassmen were unable
to score in the third inning!
**[09:26] Okumura**
Nice pitch!
**[09:32] Ochiai**
He's thin, and his pitches lack speed.
**[09:35] Ochiai**
But that 12-6 is really something.
**[09:39] Ota**
He played softball in middle school.
**[09:41] Ota**
He spent three years as a relief pitcher.
**[09:46] @Sawamura**
Did you see that, Kuramochi-senpai?
**[09:48] @Kuramochi**
Be quiet. I was watching.
**[09:50] @Sawamura**
Asada... That Asada held them scoreless!
**[09:54] @Kuramochi**
He seems like a quiet guy,
**[09:56] @Kuramochi**
but he's assertive with his pitching.
**[09:59] @Sawamura**
Yes, that's right!
**[10:01] @Kuramochi**
He's the kind of guy who came
to Seido to play baseball.
**[10:04] @Kuramochi**
He's got the pitcher's mentality, all right.
**[10:09] @Sawamura**
Yeah.
**[10:17] Okumura**
The pitcher set the tone for us.
**[10:20] Okumura**
Now the lineup gets to work.
**[10:27] Okumura**
Let's get on base and
break through their defenses.
**[10:34] Kaneda**
Huh? The intrasquad game was today?
**[10:38] Takashima**
Yes, next week is Golden Week,
and we've been invited to several friendlies,
**[10:43] Takashima**
so today, when the main players
are off, was the only day.
**[10:46] Kaneda**
But that means...
**[10:49] Watanabe**
Don't worry. I'm here
because I wanted to come.
**[10:53] Watanabe**
Plus, the coach said he couldn't
play everyone in the game.
**[11:07] (Flashback) fb_Watanabe**
That's why we thoroughly
analyze the other teams.
**[11:12] Takashima**
To help improve the team,
you yourself need game experience, too.
**[11:17] Takashima**
The first and second strings will play
a lot of games before the qualifiers.
**[11:22] Takashima**
The performance in those games will
determine the players' numbers.
**[11:30] Takashima**
Miyuki-kun has been invited to
the Tokyo invitational at the end of May,
**[11:34] Takashima**
and there's a training camp
ahead of the qualifiers.
**[11:39] @Furuya**
The Tokyo invitational?
**[11:42] Takashima**
With all of the preparations,
summer will be here quickly.
***SIGN*** Top of the fourth inning
One out, runner on first
***SIGN*** First-base Runner
Takuma Seto (first-year)
***SIGN*** Batting Third Catcher
Koshu Okumura (first-year)
**[11:56] @Kanemaru**
They hung on to get that walk.
Now, how will they use it?
**[12:01] Ota**
That runner on first is one
you recruited, correct?
**[12:07] Ochiai**
Yes, he's an extremely fast runner.
**[12:10] Ochiai**
But running the bases isn't
just about being fast.
**[12:15] Ochiai**
The right time to break,
the pace of your step,
**[12:18] Ochiai**
and how you balance yourself...
**[12:24] @Kanemaru**
He ran on the first pitch!
**[12:27] @Sawamura**
Hey, you're underestimating Kariba!
**[12:35] _Umpire**
Safe!
**[12:36] _Fan**
Whoa, he made it!
**[12:37] _Fan**
He's fast!
**[12:42] int_Seto**
*I just barely made it.*
**[12:44] int_Seto**
* I ran on the first pitch, but maybe I*
* should have shaken things up a bit.*
**[12:51] int_Okumura**
* Just seeing Taku run will put*
* pressure on the outfielders.*
**[12:57] _Fan**
Oh, the outfielders are moving in!
**[13:00] _Fan**
They're fired up!
**[13:02] _Fan**
They really want to get the out at home!
**[13:04] _Fan**
They want to get back at the first-years!
**[13:06] _Fan**
The upperclassmen don't want
to give up a single run!
**[13:13] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Kawashima, you're still throwing meatballs.
**[13:16] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
They just haven't made you pay!
**[13:18] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Pitch another inning!
**[13:19] (Flashback) fb_Kawashima**
Yes, sir!
**[13:24] int_Kawashima**
*I can't fool the coach.*
**[13:27] int_Kawashima**
*If I want to get back on the roster,*
**[13:30] int_Kawashima**
* I need to work on the quality of my pitching,*
* instead of immediate results,*
**[13:33] int_Kawashima**
*and make my pitches harder to hit.*
**[13:38] int_Okumura**
*The first pitch was an outside fastball.*
**[13:41] int_Okumura**
* The outfield is playing in,*
* so he'll be pitching low.*
**[13:46] int_Okumura**
*He won't throw any meatballs.*
**[13:48] int_Kariba**
*Low!*
**[13:51] _Fan**
The outside slider bounced!
**[13:55] _Fan**
The runner didn't miss that
mistake and steals third!
**[13:58] _Fan**
That first-year is an
aggressive base runner.
**[14:02] _Fan**
He's got good judgment.
**[14:04] @Sawamura**
Did he start running before
the ball bounced?
**[14:08] @Kuramochi**
Yeah, he could see the ball was going
to bounce and started running.
**[14:14] @Kuramochi**
You've got to train a lot
to steal a base like that.
**[14:23] _Player**
Get aggressive!
**[14:24] _Player**
Kawashima, let him hit!
**[14:27] _Fan**
The infielders are playing in!
**[14:29] _Fan**
They've got their own competitive streak!
**[14:33] _Player**
Let's shut them down, Kawashima-senpai!
**[14:35] _Player**
We've got this!
**[14:37] _Player**
Bring it on!
**[14:38] _Player**
Yeah!
**[14:39] _Fan**
There's one out, a runner on third,
and the fielders playing in.
**[14:42] _Fan**
It's the same situation as the last inning!
**[14:46] _Fan**
The upperclassmen weren't able to score.
**[14:48] _Fan**
How will the first-years fare?
**[14:51] int_Okumura**
*The count is one ball, one strike.*
**[14:54] int_Okumura**
* They'll be focusing*
* on throwing low pitches,*
**[14:57] int_Okumura**
* but they'll be worried about the ball*
* slipping by with the runner on third.*
**[15:05] int_Kariba**
* Don't worry! I won't let it*
* get past me, Kawashima-senpai!*
**[15:11] int_Kawashima**
* Well, if I let situations like this get*
* to me, I'll never get any higher.*
**[15:17] int_Kawashima**
*I'll pitch until...*
**[15:19] int_Kawashima**
*A squeeze?!*
**[15:22] ---**
Ball!
**[15:24] _Fan**
The ball is wide and the count
goes to two balls, one strike!
**[15:28] int_Kawashima**
*A fake?*
**[15:33] @Kanemaru**
The runner and the batter worked
together to rattle him.
**[15:38] @Kanemaru**
Just how brainy is their baseball?
**[15:41] @Kuramochi**
He might know more about baseball than you.
**[15:45] Ochiai**
I see. Those two are from
Kanagawa's Daikyo Senior.
**[15:51] Ochiai**
That team is famous for
their thinking baseball.
**[15:55] Ota**
You mean the players think
of their own strategies?
**[16:01] int_Ochiai**
* There were some rumors*
* about that team, though.*
**[16:09] int_Okumura**
*Think, deeper.*
**[16:13] int_Okumura**
*The count is two balls, one strike.*
**[16:16] int_Okumura**
*They've been using outside fastballs.*
**[16:19] int_Okumura**
* They don't want the count*
* to get any worse.*
**[16:23] (Flashback) fb_Coach**
Read the other team's mind.
**[16:26] (Flashback) fb_Coach**
Understand that baseball is a sport
where play stops after every pitch.
**[16:31] (Flashback) fb_Coach**
You can assess all of the risks
and prepare for them.
**[16:34] (Flashback) fb_Coach**
If you can avoid the risks, you can win.
**[16:38] (Flashback) fb_Coach**
If you use your head while you play,
baseball will be even more fun!
**[16:52] int_Okumura**
* That man's words have*
* taken root inside my body.*
**[16:59] int_Okumura**
*I can never erase them.*
**[17:02] int_Okumura**
*I can never escape them.*
**[17:06] _Fan**
Near-right field!
**[17:07] _All**
Yeah!
**[17:09] _Fan**
The third-base runner is heading home!
**[17:13] _Fan**
The first-years got one run back!
**[17:16] _Fan**
The two of them scored a run!
**[17:19] _Fan**
Didn't something like
that happen last year?
**[17:24] (Flashback) @fb_Kominato**
I'm gonna get you home!
**[17:26] (Flashback) @fb_Kominato**
Let's score this run together!
**[17:30] (Flashback) fb_Fan**
The third-base runner took off!
**[17:32] (Flashback) @fb_Kominato**
Go!
**[17:34] @fbint_Sawamura**
*My teammate wants to score together!*
**[17:38] @fbint_Sawamura**
*I'm gonna make it home!*
**[18:00] _All**
Yeah!
**[18:05] Seki**
A hit right up the middle!
**[18:07] Seki**
Now there are runners on first and second.
**[18:10] int_Aso**
*Kota Kagami...*
**[18:12] int_Aso**
*His plain appearance reminds me of Shirasu.*
**[18:19] int_Mogami**
*A golden opportunity to clear my name.*
**[18:21] int_Mogami**
*If I get a hit, I'll be a hero!*
**[18:22] int_Mogami**
*A golden opportunity...*
**[18:35] _Fan**
Masashi! Masashi Yuki!
**[18:38] _Fan**
Does he want to play in the game?
**[18:41] _Fan**
He's trying to get people to notice him!
**[18:44] _Fan**
You can hear his swings!
**[18:47] int_Yui**
*Hey, you're really fired up.*
**[18:51] @Kominato**
The score's closer than I expected.
**[18:54] @Kanemaru**
Yeah.
**[18:55] int_Mogami**
* That's uncalled for!*
* That's uncalled for!*
**[18:57] int_Mogami**
*I'm the hero!*
**[18:59] @Yui**
Coach Kataoka!
**[19:00] @Yui**
We don't just want to watch! We want
to play with our fellow first-years!
**[19:09] @Yui**
Would you allow us to play in the game?
**[19:12] @Yuki**
Please!
**[19:19] Aso**
They're appealing directly to the coach?
**[19:22] Seki**
Yeah, those two have guts!
**[19:27] Takatsu**
Those two...
**[19:29] Kawashima**
We don't mind.
**[19:33] Kawashima**
We would welcome the chance to see the skills
**[19:38] Kawashima**
of the first-years who beat us to the roster.
**[19:43] int_Kariba**
*Kawashima-senpai...*
**[19:51] @Kataoka**
Okay! I'll sub you in, so warm up!
**[19:55] @Yui**
Yes, sir!
**[19:59] _Fan**
For real?
**[20:01] _Fan**
Their request worked!
**[20:04] @Yui**
I'm glad I asked.
**[20:05] @Yuki**
I'm glad I swung.
**[20:11] @Sawamura**
These first-years sure are something!
**[20:13] @Sawamura**
They really defy expectations!
**[20:15] @Kuramochi**
Weren't you complaining
about what upstarts they were?
**[20:19] @Sawamura**
Now let's get in the game...
**[20:25] @Kuramochi**
Let it go.
**[20:28] @Maezono**
This is their time to shine.
**[20:33] @Sawamura**
Yeah. We have to stay out of it.
**[20:40] @Sawamura**
Okay, let's all do a cheer!
**[20:53] Kawashima**
Yeah!
**[20:55] _Player**
Yeah!
**[20:57] int_Mogami**
*This can't be! It's just bad luck!*
**[20:59] int_Mogami**
*I'm much better than this!*
**[21:01] @Kuramochi**
That's how good Takatsu is.
**[21:04] Kukki**
Show us your stuff!
**[21:07] Asada**
Yeah!
**[21:08] @Sawamura**
Yeah, yeah, yeah!
**[21:10] @Sawamura**
The game's just getting started!
**[21:12] @Sawamura**
Let's beat them down until
there's nothing left!
**[21:17] Kawashima**
Sawamura...
**[21:18] @Sawamura**
We can get another twenty runs!
**[21:19] Asada**
Sawamura-senpai...
**[21:20] @Sawamura**
Let's drag that pitcher off the mound!
**[21:26] Asada**
He wants them to pulverize me!
**[21:28] Asada**
And he's got a scary look in his eye!
**[21:30] @Sawamura**
Exploding bats!
**[21:32] Seto**
He was on our side a little while ago.
**[21:35] Asada**
Huh?
**[21:36] Seto**
He was watching you from behind
that pillar like he was really worried.
**[21:41] Okumura**
First he's worried about him,
now he's dissing him.
**[21:47] Seto**
I wonder what he's thinking.
**[21:49] @Sawamura**
Get ready, Asada!
**[21:57] Okumura**
Now the cleanup is up to bat.
**[22:03] Okumura**
Let's get one out at a time!
***SIGN*** "Self-Assertive"
**[22:17] Asada**
"Self-Assertive."
**[23:49] @Miyuki**
Honestly, no amount of time
would be enough.
**[23:52] Okumura**
Second string...
**[23:53] @Miyuki**
Good on you for making the second string.
The games will be fun.
**[23:58] Okumura**
If I don't do something soon,
he's going to retire.
**[24:01] @Tojo**
Whether you work hard or not,
**[24:05] @Tojo**
someone else gets to play
in the game instead of you.
**[24:08] @Tojo**
That's how this team is.
**[24:11] Okumura**
On the next episode of
*Ace of the Diamond Act II*:
**[24:14] Okumura**
"Out of Time."
***SIGN*** Next Time
***SIGN*** "Out of Time"
**[24:15] Okumura**
Let's win the national title!
***SIGN*** Illustration / Yuji Terajima