# 35 - Because He's Awesome
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.)
***SIGN*** May 31st, Saturday
Seido Practice Field A
Seido – Kizaki
(West Tokyo) (Saitama)
**[00:10] Narrator**
* Kawakami, the starting pitcher,*
* allowed only one hit in five innings.*
**[00:14] Narrator**
* His intense pitching served to inspire*
* the team in place of its captain, Miyuki.*
**[00:19] @Kuramochi**
Look down on us...
**[00:21] _All**
...and we'll take you down!
**[00:24] Narrator**
*Maezono, given the cleanup position,*
**[00:27] Narrator**
* was unable to control his emotions*
* and struck out three times.*
**[00:30] Narrator**
*However...*
**[00:31] Narrator**
*Furuya, who batted fifth, did get RBI hits.*
**[00:35] Narrator**
* Leadoff Kuramochi and*
* three-hole Shirasu led the order*
**[00:38] Narrator**
*to a six-run lead by the sixth inning.*
**[00:40] _Sign**
Kizaki
Seido
**[00:41] Narrator**
*Despite giving up three runs toward the end,*
**[00:44] Narrator**
*Kawakami threw 135 pitches
in a complete game victory.*
**[00:47] Narrator**
* The team extended their unbeaten streak*
* to eighteen games.*
***SIGN*** Meijin University Tsurushima Ballpark
**[02:23] _Reporter**
Most of the university players
are first and second-years.
***SIGN*** Meijin
***SIGN*** Tokyo
**[02:26] _Reporter**
The Narumiya-Inui battery held them
scoreless for two innings.
**[02:30] _Reporter**
Then they passed the baton to Imai and Yoh.
**[02:32] _Reporter**
Then the Umemiya-Miyuki battery
took over in the sixth.
**[02:36] _Reporter**
I guess they don't want the pitcher and
catcher to be from the same division.
**[02:43] Yuki**
The Tokyo All-Stars, eh?
**[02:46] Yuki**
Interesting idea.
**[02:48] Yuki**
Who could have known we'd be
facing each other in this game?
**[02:52] @Miyuki**
Yes. It's been something new every day, Tetsu-san.
**[02:59] Owada**
It's Seido versus Seido!
**[03:00] Mine**
Calm down.
**[03:02] Umemiya**
The university team's got brawn.
**[03:05] Narumiya**
I got Tetsu-san out with
an infield grounder earlier!
**[03:08] Narumiya**
That felt so good!
**[03:11] _Sign**
S
m
a
c
k
***SIGN*** Seido Practice Field A
Game 2
Takehara – Seido
(Saitama) (West Tokyo)
**[03:17] _Fan**
This game will have a fresh order,
unlike the last one.
**[03:21] _Fan**
Leading off is the shortstop, Takatsu.
***SIGN*** Batting First Shortstop
Takatsu
***SIGN*** Batting Second
Second Base
Seto
**[03:23] _Fan**
Second is the first-year
second baseman, Seto.
**[03:26] _Fan**
Third is the catcher, Yui,
and fourth is the left fielder Yuki.
***SIGN*** Batting Third Catcher
Yui
***SIGN*** Batting Fourth Left Fielder
Yuki
**[03:29] _Fan**
They must really rate Yui and Yuki's offense.
**[03:33] _Fan**
The upperclassmen in the bottom of the order
won't want to look bad, though.
***SIGN*** Batting Fifth First Base
Yamaguchi
***SIGN*** Batting Sixth Center Field
Aso
***SIGN*** Batting Seventh Right Field
Mimura
***SIGN*** Batting Eighth Third Base
Higasa
***SIGN*** Batting Ninth Catcher
Kaneda
**[03:37] _Fan**
It's one of their last chances
to show what they can do.
**[03:41] @Sawamura**
Okay, it's go time!
**[03:43] @Sawamura**
Go get it done, Takatsu!
**[03:45] @Sawamura**
Will you become Seido's new vanguard? Can you?!
**[03:55] Carlos**
He really has developed his power.
**[03:58] Hirahata**
He's been hitting a lot of home runs lately.
**[04:01] Hoshida**
It sure does feel nice to have him
when he's on your team.
**[04:05] Shirakawa**
He has thirty-seven career home runs.
**[04:07] Shirakawa**
Five in May of this year alone.
**[04:09] Carlos**
You sound obsessed.
**[04:11] int_Narumiya**
* He spoils pitches to stay alive and waits*
* for a pitch he can do something with.*
**[04:15] int_Narumiya**
*He does just what annoys pitchers the most.*
**[04:25] Anthony**
Whoa!
**[04:25] Anthony**
Did you see that?!
**[04:27] Rhinehart**
I thought their players would all be ninjas,
but they've got some heavy hitters, too!
**[04:32] Rhinehart**
And an Elvis to boot!
**[04:35] Anthony**
Look at his duck tail!
**[04:36] Rhinehart**
Awesome!
**[04:52] Umemiya**
Don't act like you're better than us.
**[04:55] Rhinehart**
Looks like they've got some decent players.
**[05:00] Anthony**
This is it. Now we can play a real game.
**[05:07] _Player**
What's got *you* all fired up?
**[05:09] _Player**
You're not on that team, Yuki.
**[05:12] _Sign**
Seido High School Practice Field
**[05:14] @Sawamura**
Yes, they can get a double play!
**[05:19] _Fan**
The shortstop slipped up again.
**[05:21] @int_Kuramochi**
*Takatsu is moving pretty slow.*
**[05:24] @int_Kuramochi**
*He looked better in practice.*
**[05:27] @Kataoka**
Nakata, can you go in next inning?
**[05:29] Nakata**
Yes, sir!
**[05:30] @Kataoka**
Kijima.
**[05:31] Kijima**
Yes, sir! I'm ready anytime!
**[05:33] int_Ota**
*He's changing both middle infielders?*
**[05:35] int_Ota**
*That's pretty harsh.*
**[05:37] @int_Okumura**
*Taku hasn't even done anything yet.*
**[05:40] Narrator**
*The players on the field,*
**[05:42] Narrator**
* as well as those waiting to play,*
* will all have chances to perform.*
**[05:46] Narrator**
* They must show what they can do*
* in the limited time they are given.*
**[05:53] @Sawamura**
Okay, change gears!
**[05:55] @Sawamura**
It's how you play next that counts!
**[05:58] @Sawamura**
It's not over! You can still stop them!
**[06:05] Takatsu**
Yeah!
***SIGN*** Seido
***SIGN*** Takehara
**[06:06] Narrator**
* Seido allowed a two-run lead*
* until the fifth inning,*
**[06:11] Narrator**
* when the third-year infielders took the field*
* and established a rhythm on defense.*
**[06:21] Narrator**
*The bottom of the lineup started a rally,*
**[06:24] Narrator**
*tying the game in the seventh.*
**[06:26] Narrator**
*In the eighth, they took the lead.*
**[06:28] Narrator**
* Every one of Seido's runs*
* was driven in by a third-year.*
**[06:36] Narrator**
* Third-year Kawashima came on as the*
* relief pitcher in the seventh inning.*
**[06:41] Narrator**
*His battery with first-year Okumura performed well,*
**[06:43] Narrator**
*allowing one run in three innings.*
**[06:45] Narrator**
* Seido beat Takehara High School*
* by a score of 6–4.*
**[06:50] Narrator**
*It was their nineteenth consecutive win,*
**[06:52] Narrator**
* and it built up momentum for*
* their games the following day.*
***SIGN*** Seido Spirit Dorm
**[07:00] Maezono**
How was the university team?!
**[07:02] Maezono**
Did you see Tetsu-san?!
**[07:03] @Kuramochi**
Did you play against him?
**[07:05] @Sawamura**
And did you catch for Narumiya-san?!
**[07:08] @Furuya**
Did you?
**[07:09] @Miyuki**
Too many questions...
***SIGN*** June 1st, Sunday
***SIGN*** Seiho High School
***SIGN*** Yamamori Academy
**[07:29] @Sawamura**
They're here, they're here!
**[07:31] @Sawamura**
Strong players just keep on coming.
**[07:35] @Sawamura**
Just look at 'em!
**[07:36] @Kominato**
You sound awfully confident.
**[07:38] @int_Okumura**
* He smiles no matter where he is*
* or who he's with.*
**[07:43] Ono**
It's a round robin against teams
that are Koshien regulars.
**[07:46] Ono**
We don't have our captain,
but this is the best way to test our skills.
**[07:53] Ono**
Since we're doing this, let's give it our all!
***SIGN*** Seido Spirit Dorm
**[07:59] @Sawamura**
Let's brag to Cap about our
unbeaten record when he gets back!
**[08:03] Kawakami**
Yeah, I want him to be impressed
at how well we played.
**[08:07] @Furuya**
Ono-senpai, let's have a good game.
**[08:10] @int_Yui**
* Ono-senpai is the starting*
* catcher for both games.*
**[08:13] @int_Yui**
*I'll stay ready in case I need to go in.*
**[08:18] @int_Okumura**
* I want to catch for both of them*
* in a real game.*
**[08:25] _Sign**
Meijin University
Tsurushima Ballpark
**[08:32] _Reporter**
And that was an off-balance throw!
**[08:34] _Reporter**
He's got a strong arm!
**[08:36] _Coach**
The Wynd Youth Academy was established to
promote interest in baseball in urban areas.
**[08:42] _Coach**
They provide free development
programs to those
**[08:45] _Coach**
who are unable to play baseball due
to financial or other circumstances.
**[08:50] _Coach**
They even have former major
leaguers volunteering as coaches.
**[08:54] _Coach**
They've brought their very best players.
**[08:59] _Coach**
The sport of baseball is what gave them
the opportunity to come to Japan
**[09:04] _Coach**
and made this game possible.
**[09:10] _Coach**
How will we fare against them?
**[09:19] _Coach**
Once this game is over,
you'll each go back to your own team
**[09:23] _Coach**
and make the final adjustments before
competing to play at Koshien Stadium.
**[09:28] _Coach**
You may even face one another
in the tournament.
**[09:31] _Coach**
But that's part of Japanese baseball.
**[09:34] _Coach**
We play hard, polish our technique,
and train our bodies together.
**[09:39] _Coach**
Having rivals drives us even higher.
**[09:43] _Coach**
Have pride in the baseball we devote
every day to, and compete with honor!
**[09:49] Inui**
Let's go!
**[09:51] _All**
Yeah!
***SIGN*** Tokyo (Japan)
***SIGN*** Wynd Youth Academy (USA)
**[09:58] _Coach**
The pitching order for Game 1
will be Yoh, Imai, Narumiya,
**[10:02] _Coach**
and the starting catcher will be Inui.
**[10:04] _Coach**
The starting catcher for
Game 2 will be Miyuki.
**[10:07] _Coach**
The pitching order will
be Umemiya, Oguro, Nakajo.
**[10:12] int_Hirahata**
* He really isn't going to let a catcher and*
* pitcher from the same division work together.*
**[10:17] int_Hirahata**
* I guess that's how attentive*
* Coach Kunitomo is.*
**[10:20] int_Shirakawa**
* Obviously. It would only*
* work against our team.*
**[10:24] int_Shirakawa**
*It's bad enough they're watching us practice.*
**[10:27] @int_Miyuki**
*Man, I'm nervous playing first base.*
**[10:32] @int_Miyuki**
* This might be my first time playing*
* anything except catcher in a game.*
**[10:35] @Miyuki**
One at a time!
**[10:36] @Miyuki**
Stay relaxed!
***SIGN*** Batting First Second Base
Anthony
**[10:45] @int_Miyuki**
* We don't know anything about them,*
* so what calls should we make?*
**[10:48] @int_Miyuki**
*I guess we'll have to see how they swing.*
**[10:53] int_Inui**
*He's standing pretty far from the plate.*
**[10:57] int_Inui**
*He'll probably step into the swing,*
**[11:00] int_Inui**
*and have trouble hitting inside pitches.*
**[11:02] int_Inui**
* It takes precise control and guts to*
* throw inside against such an open stance.*
**[11:10] int_Inui**
*But this guy has that.*
**[11:17] int_Yoh**
*This will be...*
**[11:22] int_Yoh**
*my last ever official game!*
**[11:29] _Umpire**
Strike!
**[11:34] int_Yoh**
*I can burn myself out today.*
**[11:41] _Sign**
USA
**[11:41] _Sign**
Japan
***SIGN*** Top of the Second
***SIGN*** Batting Seventh Center Field
M. Steven
**[11:49] _Umpire**
Foul!
**[11:51] _Umpire**
Ball.
**[11:59] _Umpire**
Foul!
**[12:00] Owada**
He hit an outside pitch that far?
**[12:02] Owada**
That pitch was off the plate, wasn't it?
**[12:05] Mine**
It was a strike for him.
**[12:09] Mine**
Americans have larger bodies than Japanese,
**[12:12] Mine**
so their strike zones are larger, too.
**[12:17] int_Yoh**
* His body remains firmly planted*
* despite the speed of his swing.*
**[12:22] int_Yoh**
* It shows he's being rational*
* about how he swings.*
**[12:31] int_Yoh**
*This is real American baseball!*
**[12:44] _Umpire**
Out!
**[12:45] _Fan**
He sawed him off!
**[12:48] _Fan**
He's not letting the
American team get a good hit!
**[12:51] Owada**
That's why they call him
a precision robot!
**[12:54] int_Mine**
* His pitches have gained speed*
* over the off-season.*
**[12:58] int_Mine**
* I'm sure he knows he isn't eligible*
* for this year's tournament.*
**[13:03] int_Mine**
* I have nothing but respect*
* for his devotion to baseball.*
**[13:07] @Miyuki**
Nice pitch.
**[13:09] @Miyuki**
Your outside pitch is priming the pump.
**[13:11] @Miyuki**
It's throwing off their batters.
**[13:16] Anthony**
Another strikeout on an inside pitch.
**[13:19] Steven**
The Japanese umpire is calling every
inside pitch a strike, and it's ticking me off.
**[13:24] _Coach**
That pitcher is clever,
and a little intimidating.
**[13:29] _Coach**
He must be the best pitcher
on the Japanese team.
***SIGN*** Starting Pitcher
C. Weed
**[13:40] Umemiya**
Man, he's intense!
**[13:42] Umemiya**
I can't wait to get up to bat!
**[13:45] Umemiya**
Is it fast? And awesome?
**[13:47] @Miyuki**
He's using his large body
to throw as hard as he can.
**[13:51] @Miyuki**
It's like the mound is that much closer.
**[13:53] @Miyuki**
But when he throws a breaking
ball, his arm wavers,
**[13:56] @Miyuki**
so you can tell when one's coming.
**[13:58] @Miyuki**
Just don't let his form fool you.
**[14:00] Shirakawa**
I got used to his pitches in one at-bat.
**[14:03] Carlos**
We can swing at his sloppy fastballs.
**[14:06] Shirakawa**
He's certainly not out of our league.
**[14:09] Umemiya**
Oh, I like the sound of that!
**[14:12] _Umpire**
Strike! Batter out!
**[14:14] Narumiya**
Okay, three up, three down!
**[14:17] Narumiya**
Just like that!
**[14:18] Narumiya**
Our offense is over, just like that!
**[14:20] Narumiya**
No rest for the pitcher, I guess!
***SIGN*** Top of the Third
***SIGN*** Batting Eighth Left Field
Rob Marlin
**[14:36] _Umpire**
Strike!
**[14:37] Bob**
No!
**[14:41] @Miyuki**
Two outs!
**[14:43] @Miyuki**
Nice pitch.
**[14:45] @fb_Miyuki**
You often hear about how their strike zone
is more to the outside of the plate.
**[14:49] @fb_Miyuki**
So it might be a good idea
to pitch out of the zone away.
**[14:52] @fb_Miyuki**
What we should target is the inside.
**[14:58] @Miyuki**
We're on a Japanese baseball field,
and the umpire is Japanese.
**[15:02] @Miyuki**
Get them to swing at balls outside
**[15:08] @Miyuki**
and finish them off on the inside.
**[15:11] @Miyuki**
They've come to our house to play.
**[15:16] @Miyuki**
We need to use our home advantage.
**[15:19] Narumiya**
Don't you just love his personality?
**[15:23] @Miyuki**
Like you're one to talk.
**[15:25] Yoh**
You're a bad guy.
**[15:31] int_Yoh**
*Now I know how he got that hit last year.*
**[15:43] _Umpire**
Strike!
**[15:45] int_Anthony**
A slow curveball...
**[15:47] int_Anthony**
He's got more tricks up his sleeve.
**[15:50] @int_Miyuki**
*All the way outside.*
**[15:51] @int_Miyuki**
*Superb.*
**[15:55] _Umpire**
Foul!
**[15:56] int_Anthony**
First slow and outside...
then a high inside fastball.
**[16:02] int_Anthony**
Where will he pitch next?
**[16:04] int_Anthony**
Inside? Outside?
**[16:06] @int_Miyuki**
* Sorry, but as soon as that*
* curveball got by you...*
**[16:10] @int_Miyuki**
*You were doomed.*
**[16:12] _Umpire**
Strike! Batter out!
**[16:14] _Fan**
Swing and a miss!
***SIGN*** USA
Japan
**[16:18] _Reporter**
Three innings of nearly perfect pitching.
**[16:21] _Reporter**
Shunshing Yeung...
**[16:23] _Reporter**
It's a shame we won't get to see him pitch
in the summer tournament.
**[16:29] _Coach**
Your pitching is giving the team
courage and momentum.
**[16:35] _Coach**
I made the right choice in having you start.
**[16:44] Umemiya**
What's wrong?
**[16:45] Narumiya**
He's never said anything that nice to me!
**[16:50] Umemiya**
No! Really?
**[16:50] Narumiya**
What's that supposed to mean?!
**[16:53] Carlos**
Cool it, King.
**[17:00] _Umpire**
Ball four!
**[17:02] @int_Miyuki**
* As soon as he had to pitch from the stretch,*
* he became erratic.*
**[17:05] @int_Miyuki**
*One out, and runners on first and second.*
**[17:07] @int_Miyuki**
*We need to take advantage of this situation.*
**[17:12] _Fan**
A bunt!
**[17:14] _Fan**
Now there are two outs with
runners on second and third!
**[17:16] _Fan**
Now it's up to the cleanup!
**[17:20] int_Shirakawa**
*You brag about your ability in the clutch.*
**[17:22] int_Shirakawa**
*Then prove it.*
**[17:25] _Coach**
They gave us an out for free...
**[17:28] _Coach**
Typical Japanese small ball.
**[17:37] int_Carlos**
* If the ball gets past the infield,*
* I'll make it home.*
**[17:40] int_Yoh**
*What pitch will Kazuya Miyuki swing at?*
**[17:44] int_Narumiya**
* You're not the starting catcher*
* or the cleanup batter.*
**[17:48] int_Narumiya**
* If you don't get a hit here,*
* why are you even playing, Kazuya?*
**[17:53] int_Carlisle**
There's two outs, but the inning's not over.
**[17:56] int_Carlisle**
Forget about the runner.
Give me your best fastball.
**[18:04] _Umpire**
Strike!
**[18:05] Carlisle**
Nice! Your pitches are looking good!
**[18:10] int_Carlisle**
Take him down, Weed!
**[18:19] _All**
Yeah!
**[18:26] Carlisle**
He willingly sacrificed himself.
**[18:30] Carlisle**
Such focus in the heat of battle...
**[18:34] Carlisle**
I see...
**[18:35] Carlisle**
So that's how Japanese samurai fight.
***SIGN*** Seido Practice Field A
***SIGN*** Yamamori
***SIGN*** Seiho
**[18:46] @Okumura**
The third batter hit another inside pitch.
**[18:50] @Okumura**
He seems to like those,
so we need to be careful.
**[18:53] @Sawamura**
That's the eye of a catcher.
**[18:55] @Sawamura**
You notice the finer details.
**[18:58] @Okumura**
What did you notice, then?
**[19:02] @Okumura**
I saw you watching. You looked serious.
**[19:05] @Sawamura**
Oh, you know... He took that high inside pitch
and glared back at the pitcher,
**[19:10] @Sawamura**
so I figured he's pretty tough.
**[19:12] @Sawamura**
And the batter before him, um...
**[19:14] @Sawamura**
He had a really cool stance!
**[19:17] @Okumura**
So you did pick up on some good details.
**[19:18] @Sawamura**
Huh? Really?
**[19:20] @Sawamura**
You gave me a compliment!
**[19:21] @Sawamura**
So, how about their leadoff?
**[19:23] @Sawamura**
He must have a lot of friends!
**[19:25] @Sawamura**
The way he plays is beautiful!
**[19:27] @Okumura**
I don't know about that.
**[19:29] @Yui**
What did you notice, Furuya-san?
**[19:34] @Furuya**
Seiho seems to have some persistent batters.
**[19:38] @Furuya**
They're hard to take down
even when they're cornered.
**[19:40] @Furuya**
Yamamori likes to hit early.
**[19:42] @Furuya**
They'll swing at fastballs.
**[19:45] @Yui**
The Seiho batters change their step
to a slide when they're cornered.
**[19:49] @Yui**
You don't see them getting struck out much.
**[19:52] @Furuya**
Now that you mention it...
**[19:54] @Yui**
Yamamori almost never makes bad contact.
**[19:57] int_Ono**
* Yamamori and Seiho are both powerhouse*
* schools with excellent lineups.*
**[20:01] int_Ono**
*But...*
**[20:02] int_Ono**
* I think Sawamura and Furuya*
* can hold them off.*
**[20:06] int_Ono**
*They just need to pitch their best.*
**[20:13] Kawakami**
Just do what you do best.
**[20:16] @Kuramochi**
Want to go get warmed up?
**[20:20] @Sawamura**
Furuya.
**[20:23] @Sawamura**
Your back's fine now, right?
**[20:30] @Furuya**
Yeah, I'm fine.
**[20:33] @Sawamura**
I see.
**[20:35] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
On Sunday, Furuya will start
against Yamamori Academy,
**[20:38] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
and Sawamura will start against Seiho.
**[20:43] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
I'll be announcing the players
on the roster in two weeks.
**[20:47] @Sawamura**
So you can pitch a quality start today.
**[20:52] @Sawamura**
Don't start forcing your pitches
and self-destruct.
**[21:03] @Furuya**
You're not playing until
the third game, right?
**[21:07] @Furuya**
Stay quiet and watch.
**[21:12] @Kuramochi**
Sawamura, don't pick a fight with Furuya
just because you're bored!
**[21:17] @Kuramochi**
Pay attention to the game!
**[21:20] @Sawamura**
I'm not picking a fight!
**[21:22] @Sawamura**
This is my way of cheering for him!
**[21:24] @Kuramochi**
Anyone can see you're messing with him!
**[21:26] @Sawamura**
Ono-senpai,
**[21:27] @Sawamura**
I'm like a runaway train with no brakes,
but I'm looking forward to throwing to you!
**[21:31] Ono**
Got it!
**[21:32] @Sawamura**
Thank you!
**[21:34] @Furuya**
Runaway train...
**[21:36] Kaneda**
What's he up to?
**[21:39] Tojo**
It's his way of cheering, remember?
**[21:43] @Okumura**
Why are you putting pressure on Furuya-san
on his second game back?
**[21:55] @Sawamura**
Because he's awesome.
**[22:00] @Sawamura**
He's awesome, and I want to beat him.
***SIGN*** "Because He's Awesome"
**[22:16] @Sawamura**
"Because He's Awesome."
**[23:48] _Both**
So that's Furuya! Seido's Satoru Furuya!
**[23:52] Yuto**
I'm so excited!
**[23:54] @Furuya**
I'll get it back again.
**[23:56] @Okumura**
He's clearly forcing it, and it's all your fault.
**[24:00] Ono**
Don't worry. We'll back you up,
so pitch however you like.
**[24:05] Ono**
I'm no Miyuki, but...
**[24:08] Ono**
But I'm going to be a better catcher
than I was that day!
**[24:13] Ono**
On the next episode of
*Ace of the Diamond Act II*:
**[24:15] Ono**
"As a Catcher."
***SIGN*** Next Time
***SIGN*** "As a Catcher"
**[24:17] Ono**
Let's win the national title!
***SIGN*** Illustration / Yuji Terajima