# 52 - Ace of Diamond
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.)
**[00:05] Narrator**
*It's the top of the seventh,*
**[00:07] Narrator**
* and Hachiya Oji must score two runs*
* or the game will be called.*
**[00:10] _Fan**
He's still pitching a no-hitter, right?
**[00:12] _Fan**
He's given up two walks,
and made eleven strikeouts.
**[00:15] Kawabata**
Oh, man...
**[00:17] Kawabata**
He's taken all the hard work we've
done and blown it to smithereens.
**[00:22] @Miyuki**
Furuya is in rare form today.
**[00:25] @Miyuki**
I've been waiting for this, too.
**[00:27] Kawabata**
But I'm not done with you yet! Come at me!
**[02:25] @int_Miyuki**
*He has a good read on the ball.*
**[02:31] @int_Miyuki**
* He's got the best swing*
* of anyone on their team.*
**[02:36] @int_Miyuki**
* You don't see many batters*
* like him, even at Nationals.*
**[02:40] _Player**
You can do it, Captain!
**[02:42] _Player**
Let's get it started!
**[02:43] int_Coach**
*Kawabata...*
**[02:46] int_Kawabata**
* It's not over.*
* I haven't laid it all out yet.*
**[02:53] int_Kawabata**
*I haven't laid it all on the line yet!*
**[03:05] int_Kawabata**
* Right after I got into*
* high school, my dad died.*
**[03:15] int_Kawabata**
*He passed right after we learned he was sick.*
**[03:22] (Flashback) fb_Kawabata**
Lay off! I know what to do!
**[03:24] (Flashback) fb_Kawadad**
Then make sure you do it!
**[03:27] int_Kawabata**
*He had helped me practice since I was little.*
**[03:30] int_Kawabata**
* He took me to the batting cages*
* every day in middle school.*
**[03:37] int_Kawabata**
*I couldn't accept that he was gone.*
**[03:40] int_Kawabata**
* If I didn't stay busy,*
* my heart felt like it would fall apart.*
**[03:51] (Flashback) fb_Player**
Is he practicing late again?
**[03:53] (Flashback) fb_Player**
The funeral wasn't even a week ago.
**[03:57] (Flashback) fb_Player**
Is he okay?
**[04:06] int_Kawabata**
*Even when my blisters popped and bled,*
**[04:09] int_Kawabata**
*I still kept swinging.*
**[04:13] int_Kawabata**
*The pain dulled my sorrow.*
**[04:19] int_Kawabata**
* I could ignore the void in my heart*
* during those long, arduous practices.*
**[04:28] int_Kawabata**
* Before I knew it, I'd become a starter*
* in the fall of my first year.*
**[04:34] (Flashback) fb_Kawasis**
Masa!
**[04:35] (Flashback) fb_Kawamom**
Masanori!
**[04:37] int_Kawabata**
*I used baseball to escape.*
**[04:40] int_Kawabata**
* My dad and I did it together,*
* and it protected me.*
**[04:47] int_Kawabata**
*Everything I went through that day*
**[04:50] int_Kawabata**
*made me who I am.*
**[04:54] int_Kawabata**
*I'm going to put everything on the line!*
**[05:01] Announcer**
It's a hit!
**[05:03] Announcer**
Team captain Kawabata gets
his team's first hit!
**[05:06] _Player**
Nice batting, Captain!
**[05:08] _Player**
Kawabata-senpai!
**[05:09] Kawabata**
Now, keep it going!
**[05:12] _Player**
Yeah!
**[05:13] _Player**
Let's see it, cleanup!
**[05:14] _Player**
Show them what you can do!
**[05:16] _Fan**
They sure are excited over one hit.
**[05:18] _Fan**
Well, sure, it was a no-hitter.
**[05:21] _Fan**
Do you think Hachiya Oji can pull it off?
**[05:25] @int_Miyuki**
* Every team has third-years thinking*
* about their last summer of baseball.*
**[05:30] @int_Miyuki**
*One good play can give the team a boost.*
**[05:36] @int_Miyuki**
*We must not let our guard down.*
**[05:47] @Sawamura**
Finish it.
**[05:51] @int_Miyuki**
*We have to rip their courage and hope apart.*
**[05:56] @int_Miyuki**
*We'll put everything we have*
**[05:59] @int_Miyuki**
*into finishing this game now.*
**[06:10] _Umpire**
Ball!
**[06:11] _Player**
Kurose-san!
**[06:12] _Player**
Find your pitch, Kurose!
**[06:15] int_Kawabata**
*Throw another breaking ball!*
**[06:18] int_Kawabata**
*Miyuki sometimes lets them get behind him!*
**[06:22] int_Player**
*I'm okay. I'm seeing the ball.*
**[06:24] int_Player**
*Don't stretch for the ball.*
**[06:25] int_Player**
*Swing all the way through!*
**[06:27] int_Player**
*All our hard work hasn't been in vain!*
**[06:31] int_Kawabata**
*There's still a chance!*
**[06:38] int_Player**
*It wasn't a waste!*
**[07:03] Announcer**
A 6-4-3 double play!
**[07:06] Announcer**
Shortstop Yohichi Kuramochi and
second baseman Haruichi Kominato
**[07:10] Announcer**
have cut the rally short!
**[07:13] Announcer**
Their fielding for Seido has
triumphed over Hachiya Oji's!
**[07:17] Announcer**
Their last glimmer of hope
has been extinguished!
**[07:30] bg_Kuramochi**
Two outs!
**[07:31] bg_Maezono**
Two outs!
**[07:32] bg_Miyuki**
Two outs!
**[07:33] bg_Maezono**
One more!
**[07:34] bg_Kanemaru**
Let's do it!
**[07:48] Announcer**
The ball nestles into left fielder Aso's glove,
and the game is over!
**[07:55] _All**
Yes!
**[07:56] Announcer**
The game is called in the seventh inning,
with the score at 8-0!
**[07:59] Announcer**
Seido High School advances
to the fifth round!
**[08:02] _Sign**
National High School Baseball Tournament
**[08:16] Kawamom**
Masanori.
**[08:18] Kawamom**
I'm proud of the work you've done
these two and half years.
**[08:33] Kawabata**
Thank you for making my lunch
and washing my uniform,
**[08:38] Kawabata**
and for all of your support
these two and half years.
**[09:02] int_Kawabata**
*I'm sorry, Dad.*
**[09:08] int_Kawabata**
* I couldn't take our family*
* to Koshien Stadium.*
**[09:16] int_Kawabata**
*I'm sorry.*
**[09:45] Ota**
Okay, I'll send the students
who came to cheer back first.
**[09:49] Takashima**
I'll send everyone back who isn't
staying to watch the next game.
**[09:52] Ota**
Do you want to let the second-string
and the first-years use the practice field?
**[09:56] Takashima**
Yes, please. I've had the players
write up their practice schedule.
**[10:00] Takashima**
Furuya-kun, make sure
you get plenty of rest.
**[10:15] @Furuya**
You get to pitch again.
**[10:19] @Sawamura**
Yeah.
**[10:24] @int_Sawamura**
*That's right.*
**[10:27] @int_Sawamura**
* Receiving the ace number doesn't mean*
* I beat Furuya or that I can replace him.*
**[10:37] @int_Sawamura**
* Nori-senpai and Kaneda get prepared*
* every game in case they need to go in.*
**[10:47] @int_Sawamura**
*Don't be so full of yourself!*
***SIGN*** Norikane Academy
***SIGN*** Ichidai Academy
**[10:56] Aso**
Wow, the Ichigaku pitcher is keeping his
pitches low, but they're still hitting them.
**[11:02] Kawakami**
Maybe they're swinging at his sliders.
**[11:04] Aso**
The Norikane batters are tough,
but their uppercut swings really stand out.
**[11:08] Kawakami**
So they're doing that
"flyball revolution" stuff?
**[11:12] Aso**
Yeah, they might be.
**[11:13] Kawakami**
Their whole team seems to be doing it.
**[11:16] @int_Sawamura**
*Fried ball?*
**[11:20] @Okumura**
The idea is to hit the ball
at an upward angle
**[11:24] @Okumura**
in order to avoid hitting grounders off
low pitches and extreme shifts, correct?
**[11:28] @Okumura**
It's been used in the major leagues lately.
**[11:31] @Okumura**
They say it's greatly increased
the number of home runs per year.
**[11:37] @Sawamura**
You're here?!
**[11:38] @Okumura**
Yes.
**[11:39] @Sawamura**
I told you not to lurk behind me!
**[11:41] @Sawamura**
If you're gonna be close, sit beside me!
**[11:46] @Okumura**
There's something called the "Barrel Zone."
**[11:48] @Okumura**
It's when the ball is hit at
**[11:50] @Okumura**
an angle near 30° and above
158 km/h, resulting in a longer flight.
**[11:55] @Sawamura**
Like a rain barrel?
**[11:57] int_Tojo**
*Okumura sure knows his stuff.*
**[12:00] Tojo**
Kominato, your third at-bat today...
**[12:03] @Kominato**
Yeah, it was kind of like an uppercut.
**[12:06] @Kominato**
I knew they were trying to
make me hit a grounder.
**[12:09] @Kominato**
I was able to catch it and launch
it over the second baseman's head.
**[12:13] @Kanemaru**
For real?
**[12:14] @Kominato**
But there aren't many high school teams that
can do extreme shifts like in the majors,
**[12:19] @Kominato**
and the power isn't even a comparison.
**[12:22] @Kominato**
I think it would be risky for
everyone to do uppercut swings.
**[12:26] @Kominato**
Plus, uppercut swings don't
work on high pitches,
**[12:29] @Kominato**
and you're really limited
as to where the ball can go.
**[12:31] @Sawamura**
Really?
**[12:33] @Okumura**
Yes, that is how the majors
are dealing with it.
**[12:36] @Kominato**
You should watch how each batter
deals with high pitches, Eijun-kun.
**[12:40] @Sawamura**
Yes, Master Haruichi, as you command!
**[12:44] @Miyuki**
A team like Seiko Academy,
**[12:46] @Miyuki**
with a whole lineup of batters who can hit
a ball into the stands, is scary enough,
**[12:52] @Miyuki**
but this team swings from the first
pitch, even if it's hard to hit.
**[12:56] @Miyuki**
Their hits are really rough, too.
**[12:58] @Miyuki**
The way I see it, the Norikane batters will
have a tough time hitting your numbers.
**[13:10] @Sawamura**
I see. If you say so, Cap,
I'll take your word for it.
**[13:16] @Sawamura**
But that's only if I can
pitch the way I need to.
**[13:29] @Sawamura**
I want to get on the mound
and show that I can.
***SIGN*** West Tokyo Qualifiers, Round 4
Seido 8–0 Hachiya Oji
(Called in seventh inning)
**[13:45] Yui**
Okay, I'm off.
**[13:46] Sachiko**
I packed the special drinks.
**[13:52] Yuki**
*Subbed out... What shame...*
**[13:57] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
The pitcher we face tomorrow
is a right-handed side thrower,
**[14:00] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
which gives left-handed batters an advantage.
**[14:02] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
I'll put you in if I feel you can contribute.
**[14:05] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Do your warm-up swings and be ready to go in.
**[14:09] @int_Yui**
*He thinks I can contribute.*
**[14:13] @int_Yui**
*Now I need to show that I can.*
**[14:20] Kukki**
Those two are really fired up.
**[14:23] Seto**
Man...
**[14:24] Seto**
We already missed getting
a spot on the roster.
**[14:27] Seto**
We're not gonna let them leave us behind!
**[14:30] Kukki**
I know, right?
**[14:34] Asada**
This is great! I'm gonna work hard, too!
**[14:36] _Sign**
Seido High School
**[14:40] Takashima**
The game was called,
**[14:41] Takashima**
with Norikane Academy winning 11-3.
**[14:44] Ono**
The right-handed pitcher who came out
later is their actual ace, right?
**[14:48] Watanabe**
You need to watch out for his curveball.
**[14:51] @Ochiai**
We have two days until the game on Sunday,
**[14:55] @Ochiai**
and since he only threw
ninety-three pitches in six innings,
**[14:58] @Ochiai**
Furuya may be ready to pitch.
**[15:04] @Kataoka**
Yes.
**[15:05] Takashima**
Both Inashiro and Seiko have games
at their own fields on Saturday.
**[15:10] Takashima**
The third-years not on the roster
will split up to cover the games.
**[15:15] Takashima**
Then there's the block D game
of Yakushi vs Third High...
**[15:20] Takashima**
Both teams will probably have
their best players on the field.
**[15:23] Takashima**
Watanabe-kun and I will
be watching that game.
**[15:28] @Kataoka**
We have very little information about
the first-years on either team.
**[15:31] @Kataoka**
We need you on this, Watanabe.
**[15:33] Watanabe**
Yes, sir!
**[15:34] Ono**
I'll go watch the Inashiro game.
**[15:37] @Okumura**
Excuse me.
**[15:40] @Okumura**
Would you allow me to watch
the Yakushi-Third High game?
**[15:44] @Okumura**
I'll make sure to work out after I get back.
**[15:54] (Flashback) @fb_Yui**
All I think about every day
is what I can do now.
**[16:02] @int_Okumura**
*What I can do...*
**[16:06] @Kataoka**
Okay.
**[16:08] @Kataoka**
Go and watch the game as a catcher!
***SIGN*** July 19th, Saturday
***SIGN*** Akishima
***SIGN*** Tachikawa
***SIGN*** Reiwa House Stadium Hachioji
***SIGN*** Hachioji
***SIGN*** Fuchu
**[17:09] [SONG] ---**
Denied
***SIGN*** July 20th, Sunday
***SIGN*** 7/20 National High School Baseball Championship
West Tokyo Qualifiers Fifth Round Two Matches
9:00 Seido - Norikane Academy
11:30 Kowa - Sosei
Reiwa House Stadium Hachioji
***SIGN*** Previous day
Team meeting
**[17:37] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
For the game tomorrow against Norikane,
**[17:39] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Sawamura will be the starting pitcher.
**[17:42] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
You know what to expect
from their batters, right?
**[17:47] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
They use big uppercut swings.
**[17:51] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
You have to pitch low as well as high,
and to both sides.
**[17:56] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
Stop them from getting a read on the ball.
**[18:02] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
In case of an accident,
Kawakami will be warming up in the bullpen.
**[18:06] (Flashback) fb_Kawakami**
Yes, sir!
**[18:07] _Sign**
Bonds
**[18:07] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
The querterfinals are scheduled
to begin in three days.
**[18:12] (Flashback) @fb_Kataoka**
I would like to have Sawamura pitch
the whole game, if possible.
**[18:23] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
Yes, sir!
**[18:25] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
I will show that I can live up
to your expectations, Boss.
**[18:35] @fbint_Ochiai**
*That's the bare minimum for Seido's ace.*
**[18:38] @fbint_Ochiai**
*It's evidence of Coach Kataoka's deep-seated trust.*
**[18:42] @fbint_Ochiai**
*A rallying cry from the heart, so to speak.*
**[18:47] int_Student**
*Boss?*
**[18:48] int_Student**
*Boss...*
**[18:50] int_Student**
*He called him "boss"...*
**[18:54] int_Student**
*Sawamura-senpai is crazy!*
**[18:59] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
Do you think Sawamura can do it?
**[19:02] (Flashback) fb_Higasa**
Do what?
**[19:03] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
Will he psych himself out again?
**[19:06] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
The coach put a lot of pressure on him.
**[19:09] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
If Norikane starts hitting off him tomorrow,
**[19:13] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
I think it'll be pretty unlikely
he'll play again this tournament.
**[19:17] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
The further we advance,
the stronger the teams we face will be.
**[19:20] (Flashback) fb_Higasa**
True.
**[19:22] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
I saw how he was pitching
before the tournament began,
**[19:25] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
and I'd really like to see him do that again.
**[19:28] (Flashback) fb_Maezono**
Not to worry!
**[19:31] (Flashback) fb_Maezono**
We'll score so many runs,
it won't matter how tense he gets!
**[19:36] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
Zono...
**[19:40] (Flashback) fb_Nakata**
We're more worried about you tensing up.
**[19:43] (Flashback) fb_Higasa**
Yeah!
**[19:43] (Flashback) fb_Maezono**
I'll be good to go!
**[19:48] (Flashback) fb_Tojo**
Sawamura!
**[19:50] (Flashback) fb_Tojo**
We'll be swinging to support you!
**[19:53] (Flashback) @fb_Kominato**
Pitch your best, Eijun-kun.
**[19:55] (Flashback) @fb_Kanemaru**
Don't sleep on your neck wrong!
**[20:00] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
Okay, good night!
**[20:01] (Flashback) @fb_Kominato**
Good night.
**[20:02] (Flashback) @fb_Kanemaru**
See you tomorrow.
**[20:05] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
We're waiting to see
**[20:07] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
if he can bounce back
fully from the first game.
**[20:11] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
It will be a critical game for Sawamura, too.
**[20:18] (Flashback) @fb_Okumura**
I believe he has firmly
reflected on the first game.
**[20:23] (Flashback) @fb_Okumura**
He will be ready.
**[20:28] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
I'm looking forward to it, too.
**[20:32] _All**
Let's play!
***SIGN*** National High School Baseball Tournament
West Tokyo Qualifiers Fifth Round
Seido High School - Norikane Academy
**[20:34] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
Seeing him pitch like an ace.
**[20:49] @Kuramochi**
Let's get the first out!
**[20:51] @Kominato**
They'll be swinging from the first pitch!
**[20:54] Maezono**
Get it done!
**[20:56] Tojo**
Show them what you can do!
**[20:58] @Kanemaru**
Let's make this a fun game!
**[21:00] Aso**
I'm in left field today!
**[21:04] @Sawamura**
Rather than a past riddled with mistakes
**[21:08] @Sawamura**
or a future bound to be riddled with even more,
**[21:13] @Sawamura**
I'm focused on the here and now,
and the mistakes I could make today!
**[21:20] @Sawamura**
Balls will come flying your way,
**[21:22] @Sawamura**
so please back me up!
**[21:25] _Player**
Yeah!
**[21:26] _Player**
You sound energetic again today!
**[21:29] @Yui**
I can feel myself rooting for him.
**[21:34] _Fan**
So Sawamura's the starting pitcher.
**[21:37] _Fan**
He was all over the place in the first game.
**[21:39] _Fan**
Was it that bad?
**[21:41] @Miyuki**
Are you ready?
**[21:42] @Sawamura**
Yes, sir!
**[21:43] _Fan**
He was switched out in the fourth inning.
**[21:45] _Fan**
He gave up two runs, but that
wasn't the problem... his pitching was.
**[21:50] _Fan**
I hope we get to see those awesome
pitches he threw before the tournament.
**[21:58] @int_Miyuki**
*His expression is still a little stiff.*
**[22:03] @int_Miyuki**
*I can't say I blame him, though.*
**[22:07] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
Did you sleep?
**[22:08] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
Honestly, not really.
**[22:10] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
But I can sleep anytime!
**[22:13] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
I'll sleep like a log after today's game!
**[22:16] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
Don't laugh it off.
**[22:18] (Flashback) @fb_Furuya**
I actually slept very well.
**[22:20] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
Well, good for you!
**[22:22] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
I'll pass you the baton in the most perfect way,
**[22:25] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
so just sit on the bench and watch!
**[22:28] (Flashback) @fb_Furuya**
Okay, I will.
**[22:29] (Flashback) @fbbg_Sawamura**
You'd better!
**[22:30] @fbint_Miyuki**
* I expected him to be tense, but he*
* seems better than the first game.*
**[22:30] (Flashback) @fbbg_Furuya**
Yeah, I will.
**[22:32] (Flashback) @fbbg_Sawamura**
I'll be checking!
**[22:33] (Flashback) @fbbg_Furuya**
Sure, please do.
**[22:35] (Flashback) @fbbg_Furuya**
I'll be ready to go in at any time.
**[22:37] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
Sawamura, give it up.
**[22:40] (Flashback) @fb_Miyuki**
That's what it means to stand on the mound.
**[22:49] (Flashback) @fb_Sawamura**
I suppose so.
**[23:18] @int_Miyuki**
*The pressure...*
**[23:20] @int_Miyuki**
*and the hopes of the team*
**[23:23] @int_Miyuki**
* are things only those who*
* stand there can truly know.*
**[23:33] @int_Miyuki**
*Shoulder the burden...*
**[23:38] @int_Miyuki**
*and throw!*
**[23:46] @Sawamura**
"Ace of Diamond."
***SIGN*** Color Illustration / Yuji Terajima
**[23:48] _Sign**
Look forward to the day we meet again...