E14 - The Experience Level of the Catcher Source: Crunchyroll Translator: Editor: Timer: QC: (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.) [00:01] Sak     Everybody else has been on     the team since fourth grade! [00:04] Sak     Swapping one of them out for me     when I've only just joined? [00:09] Sak     No way! I don't want to be the bad guy! [00:11] Ura     I'll come right out and say it. [00:13] Ura     I need to win two more games     so we can play the Touto Boys! [00:17] Ura     Me and Andy together! [00:30] Ura     That idiot! [02:07] Sis     All right! [02:09] Sis     I'm ready for battle! SIGN    The Experience Level of the Catcher [02:12] Mom     We're going on ahead, Daigo-kun. [02:14] Mom     I've left your lunchbox on the table. [02:17] Dai     Huh? [02:18] Dai     Sis, you have a game today, too? [02:21] Sis     What? [02:22] Sis     I told you I did at dinner last night. [02:25] Mom     I'm going to go cheer on Izumi this morning, [02:28] Mom     so unfortunately,      I won't make it to your game. [02:31] Dai     Oh, okay. [02:33] Mom     I'm really sorry. [02:34] Mom     In a normal household, the father     would've gone to the other game. [02:38] Dai     Yeah, too bad Pop's gone AWOL. [02:42] Mom     Shush. [02:44] Mom     But I'll be free this afternoon. [02:46] Mom     Go win your second round game. [02:48] Mom     I'll be there to cheer you on      in the third round. [02:52] Sis     As if the Dolphins' current crop     can make it that far. [02:55] Dai     Shut up! [02:55] Dai     We will! [02:57] Sis     Sure you will. [02:58] Sis     Later! [02:59] Mom     Make sure you lock up. [03:03] Dai     So nobody's coming to cheer me on? [03:07] Dai     Satou-san said he had work today, too. [03:14] Dai     Oh well. [03:16] Dai     Cheerleaders or no cheerleaders, we'll win! [03:19] Dai     We'll trounce them. That'll show Sis. [03:26] Coa     If we beat Nijigaoka and     make it through the second round, [03:29] Coa     we'll have lunch, then play our     third-round match in the afternoon. [03:33] Coa     If all goes to plan,     it's going to be a tough day, [03:36] Coa     so do your best out there! [03:37] All     Yes, sir! [03:39] Mat     Uh, if we win both games,     are we going for barbecue again? SIGN    Ariyoshi SIGN    Matsubara [03:43] Ari2     Isn't the answer to that obvious? [03:45] Kid     All right! [03:46] Kid     Let's win and celebrate with some tasty meat! [03:49] All     Yeah! SIGN    Mifune Dolphins     Manager SIGN    Tashiro [03:51] Coa     Hey! I can't take you     all out after every game! [03:54] Coa     I'd go bankrupt! [03:55] Fuj     Pfft, stop getting ahead of yourselves. SIGN    Mifune Dolphins     Coach SIGN    Fujii SIGN    Satou Hikaru SIGN    Sakura Mutsuko [03:58] Hik     You guys really love barbecue, don't ya? [04:01] Sak     You said it! SIGN    Urabe Hayato [04:09] And     Hey. [04:11] All     Andy! [04:12] Ura     What are you doing here? [04:13] Ura     You can sit on the bench already? [04:15] And     Yeah, my injury's not so bad.     The cane's just a precaution. SIGN    Suzuki Andy [04:20] And     I can still be a pinch hitter if needed. [04:22] Ura     Don't be stupid. [04:23] Ura     I won't allow you to take that kind of risk. [04:26] Ura     I promise we'll win both games today. [04:29] Ura     So just sit tight and get ready     for the real challenge next week! [04:35] Coa     I'll now read out the starting lineup     for our second-round game. [04:39] Coa     Batting first, shortstop, Kimura. [04:41] Kim     Yes, sir! [04:42] Coa     Batting second, catcher, Shigeno. [04:44] Shi     Yes, sir! [04:45] Coa     Batting third, pitcher, Urabe. [04:47] Ura     Yes, sir. [04:48] Ura     Looks like it's our regular lineup. [04:50] Ura     Which means our cleanup is... [04:51] Coa     Batting fourth, center field, Satou. [04:53] Sat     Yes, sir! [04:54] Ura     Seriously?! [04:55] Dai     Wow! You're batting fourth! [04:58] Hik     What's the big deal? [04:59] Hik     It just means I'm fourth up     to the plate, right? [05:01] Coa     Batting fifth, third base, Ariyoshi. [05:03] Ari     Yes, sir! [05:04] Coa     Batting sixth, left field, Kishimoto. SIGN    Kishimoto [05:06] Kis     Yes, sir! [05:08] Sak     Please... [05:09] Coa     Batting seventh, first base, Matsubara. [05:11] Mat     Yes, sir! [05:13] Sak     Please don't pick me. [05:15] Coa     Batting eighth, second base, Katsumata. [05:17] Kat     Yes, sir! [05:19] Coa     Batting ninth, right field, Sakura. [05:23] Coa     Nagai, Tsuburaya, and Takahashi      are on the bench. [05:27] Coa     That's everything. SIGN    Nagai [05:29] Nag     I've... been benched? [05:31] Sak     I'm playing... right field? [05:33] Ura     I see. [05:35] Ura     I knew he would. [05:37] Ura     The manager realized Sakura     had screwed up on purpose. [05:43] Coa     Line up. [05:45] Ura     Okay, let's go! [05:46] All     Yeah! [05:58] Dai     He's huge... [06:01] Ump     Play! [06:01] All     Good luck! [06:04] Sak     I don't believe this. [06:06] Sak     What's going on? [06:07] Sak     Why me? [06:10] Hik     Let's do our best, Mutsuko-chan! [06:12] Sak     Uh, yeah! [06:14] Nag     M-Manager? [06:16] Coa     What is it? [06:17] Nag     Um, how come I'm on the bench? [06:20] Nag     Sakura was making errors all over     the field in practice yesterday. [06:23] Coa     They weren't errors. [06:25] Nag     Huh? [06:27] Coa     She was sandbagging     because she's only just joined, [06:29] Coa     and she thought that would     keep her out of the lineup. [06:32] Coa     But she's got a real talent for batting. [06:35] Coa     An almost prodigious talent... [06:38] Nag     So she's better than me? [06:40] Coa     I'm sorry, Nagai. [06:42] Coa     I'll make sure you get your chance. SIGN    Takahashi SIGN    Tsuburaya [06:51] Tsu     This doesn't sit right. [06:53] Taka     It's the sixth graders'     last summer, after all... [06:58] Ann     It's the top of the first,     and the Nijigaoka Beetles are in at bat. [07:03] Ann     Batting first for them is     center fielder, Okegawa-kun. [07:06] Fuj     Oh? So from round two onward,     you get an announcer, huh? [07:12] Kob     So that's his son, huh? SIGN    Nijigaoka Beetles     Manager SIGN    Komori [07:14] Kob     He's looking pretty nervous out there. [07:18] And     Hey! Rookie catcher! [07:20] And     C'mon, start talking! [07:21] And     The game's underway! [07:24] Dai     L-Let's do this! [07:29] Ump     Play ball! [07:31] Kob     Pitcher: Urabe Hayato. [07:33] Kob     Throw: Right overhand. [07:35] Kob     Pitches: Around 100 kmph. [07:37] Kob     Control and stability: Both B+. [07:40] Kob     However, he has issues with stamina. [07:45] Dai     Starting with a bunt? [07:49] Ump     Strike! [07:51] Fuj     They're already messing with us? [07:53] Coa     I guess we should have expected that     with Komori as their manager. [07:56] Coa     They have a shrewd offense. [07:58] Fuj     Oh, Komori! [08:00] Fuj     I remember when he used     to be the Dolphins' manager. [08:06] Kom     He might be playing a different position, [08:09] Kom     but he reminds me a lot     of a young Honda-kun. [08:12] Kom     When I was little, everybody made     fun of me for being an introvert. [08:17] Kom     But when I met Honda-kun and started     playing baseball with the Dolphins, [08:23] Kom     my life changed in a big way. [08:26] Kom     To this day, I'm proud of the fact that,     during grade and middle school, [08:30] Kom     I was in a battery with Honda-kun. [08:33] Kom     But... [08:34] Kom     I'm sorry, Honda-kun. [08:36] Kom     I still have a soft spot for the Dolphins, [08:38] Kom     because I used to manage them,     and your kid's there now... [08:42] Kom     But I won't be showing them any mercy. [08:45] Kom     This game is ours. Just you wait and see. [08:50] Ump     Ball. [08:53] Ura     So they're just trying to trip me up, huh? [08:55] Fuj     Man, it looks like Komori's     become a proper old fart. [09:01] Coa     You could say he's got personality. [09:04] Fuj     Wait, aren't we in trouble here? [09:06] Fuj     The Dolphins were stronger     when he was manager. [09:11] Fuj     Doesn't that basically mean     he's a better manager than you? [09:17] Coa     Well, he's not my favorite     opponent, that's for sure. [09:19] Coa     And of course, there was     that incident in high school. [09:22] Fuj     Huh? What incident? [09:25] Coa     You don't remember? [09:27] Coa     How we came up against him in     the Prefectural Championships? [09:34] Coa     You made so many errors,     we almost handed the game to them. [09:38] Coa     You know! The game against Mifune! [09:45] Fuj     Don't dredge up memories of my dark past! [09:51] Sak     Jeez... [09:52] Sak     Why am I even in the starting lineup? [09:56] Sak     Everyone hates me now! [10:01] Dai     Third! [10:03] Ura     I don't think so! [10:07] Ump     Safe! [10:09] Fuj     Urabe, what are you playing at?! [10:11] Kom     Nice bunt! [10:13] All     Nice bunt, nice bunt! [10:15] Ura     Damn. [10:17] Dai     Shake it off! [10:18] Coa     Daigo! [10:19] Coa     That was supposed to go to third! [10:21] Coa     As catcher, you're in the best     position to call that. Why didn't you?! [10:24] Dai     M-My bad! [10:27] Ann     Batting second, shortstop, [10:29] Ann     Ageo-kun. [10:30] Ura     Another lefty. [10:32] Coa     Curse him. [10:34] Fuj     Huh? [10:35] Coa     Their manager used to be a catcher. [10:38] Coa     He's using a small-ball strategy. [10:40] Coa     I don't know if an inexperienced     catcher like Daigo can handle it. [10:55] (Flashback) Dai     Huh? A strategy to counter steals? [10:57] (Flashback) Ura     Yeah. It's the area that worries     me most in the next game. [11:03] (Flashback) Ura     Your arm isn't gonna give     them a free pass, is it? [11:07] (Flashback) Sak     A "free pass"? [11:09] (Flashback) Ura     Letting runners steal bases easily. [11:11] (Flashback) Ura     Did Satou-san teach you how to stop runners? [11:14] (Flashback) Dai     Huh? Uh, yeah, we discussed it briefly. [11:17] (Flashback) Dai     He said there are      little tricks that can help, [11:19] (Flashback) Dai     but I can just use the same principles     as throwing the ball from the outfield. [11:23] (Flashback) Sak     Really? That'll work? [11:25] (Flashback) Dai     Well, I haven't tried it out yet. [11:28] (Flashback) Ura     You haven't even practiced doing it?! [11:30] (Flashback) Ura     How do you expect to     play catcher in a game?! [11:33] (Flashback) Ura     Let's go find a wide-open space     and practice right now! [11:38] (Flashback) Ura     Preventing steals is a joint     effort by pitcher and catcher. [11:42] (Flashback) Ura     I'll do my best to pick off     runners when I can, too. [11:48] Ump     Safe! [11:50] (Flashback) Ura     I'm not that good at the slide step,     but I'll practice it from now till the game. [11:54] (Flashback) Ura     After that, it's up to you. [11:56] (Flashback) Ura     Anyway, the start of the game is key! [11:59] (Flashback) Ura     If they sniff weakness from the offset, [12:01] (Flashback) Ura     our opponents will take advantage     and run every time. SIGN    Nijigaoka Beetles     Pitcher SIGN    Tamaki [12:05] Kid     Are we going to let the boys run, Manager? [12:08] Kom     You bet. [12:09] Kom     Their catcher's a rookie,     and we know he has a weak arm. [12:14] Kom     You'd need players as good as the     Touto Boys to stop Okegawa in his tracks. [12:21] Fuj     He's running! [12:24] (Flashback) Dad     Listen up, Daigo-kun. [12:26] (Flashback) Dad     Once you're able to throw     to home from the outfield, [12:29] (Flashback) Dad     you'll have nothing to fear from     throwing the ball to second [12:32] (Flashback) Dad     when you're wearing the mask. [12:34] (Flashback) Dai     But Satou-san, when I'm     throwing from the outfield, [12:39] (Flashback) Dai     I can use the momentum of my run      to make up for my weak arm. [12:42] (Flashback) Dai     As a catcher, I can't do that. [12:45] (Flashback) Dad     Yeah, that's true. For most people, that is. [12:48] (Flashback) Dai     Huh? [12:49] (Flashback) Dad     What I mean is, you should just run. [12:53] (Flashback) Dad     Run the way even a catcher can. [13:03] Ump     Safe! [13:09] Hik     So close. [13:11] Kid     That catcher had to bounce it      just to get the ball to second. [13:15] Kid2     Talk about weak! [13:16] Kid2     Looks like running will be     a cinch is this game. [13:18] Kid3     What game are you idiots watching? [13:21] Kid3     That was Okegawa running. [13:23] Kid3     They almost had him,     so anyone else would've been out. [13:27] Kid3     If the ball had bounced a little lower,     even Okegawa would've been in trouble. [13:31] Kid3     It was a good throw. [13:35] Kom     Looks like his arm isn't a free pass. [13:39] Kom     That wasn't bad for a novice, Daigo-kun. [13:42] Dai     Let's stay focused! [13:42] Kom     But how long can you keep up with us? [13:47] Dai     Damn. [13:48] Dai     That was really close. [13:51] (Flashback) Dad     When throwing to second, you put your     left foot forward, bend your knees, [13:54] (Flashback) Dad     and catch the ball in this stance. [13:56] (Flashback) Dad     Then, you'd normally take a step     and release it, but... [14:00] (Flashback) Dad     Instead, you're going to catch the ball      with your right foot forward. [14:04] (Flashback) Dad     If you then take a big step     forward with your left foot, [14:07] (Flashback) Dad     the momentum you generate     is similar to a running throw. [14:09] (Flashback) Dad     If you can make a low and     accurate throw to the base, [14:14] (Flashback) Dad     you can catch most steals. [14:16] (Flashback) Dai     Yes, sir! [14:18] Dai     I'll show them next time. [14:21] Kom     No outs, runner on second base. [14:23] Kom     In this situation, we've got     a fifty percent chance of scoring, [14:28] Kom     but if we can get the runner to third,     that chance rises to ninety percent. [14:35] Ura     Oh, no, you don't! [14:37] Dai     F-First! [14:40] Ump     Safe! [14:44] Kid     All right! All safe! [14:46] Kid     No outs, runners on first and third! [14:49] Dai     Shake it off. [14:51] Ura     Shake what off? [14:53] Ura     You're one beat too slow with your calls! [14:57] Ura     Not to mention, I could've     probably made the throw to third. [15:00] Ura     I should've just thrown it. [15:04] Ann     Batting third, third base, Fukaya-kun. [15:09] Hik     Nothing to do, huh? [15:11] Hik     All this time, the ball's     stayed in the infield. [15:14] Ura     Damn it. [15:15] Ura     They're not getting the first run, no way! [15:19] Dai     He's running! [15:20] Fuj     A squeeze! [15:21] Coa     No, it may just be a steal! [15:23] Kom     If they throw to second,     make a dash for home, Okegawa! [15:26] Dai     You think I'll let you steal? [15:27] Dai     This time, you're out. [15:29] Ump     Ball. [15:30] And     Don't throw it! [15:31] And     The runner on third's stealing home! [15:35] Kid     Runners on second and third! [15:38] Kom     That was close. [15:41] Kom     Their regular catcher spotted our play. [15:43] Kom     But now, our chance of scoring     more than two runs has increased. [15:47] Fuj     Tashiro, shouldn't we call a timeout? [15:50] Fuj     Our battery's unsteady from the get-go. [15:53] Coa     It's not that they're unsteady... [15:56] Coa     This is just how strong they are right now. [15:59] Coa     When it comes to their tactics, [16:01] Coa     it's not as if they're doing     anything vastly different to normal. [16:06] Coa     This battery—no, Daigo—just isn't     able to keep up with the game. [16:11] Coa     Catcher is a thinker's position     that requires a lot more anticipation [16:16] Coa     and decision making than any other. [16:19] Coa     This knowledge can only be     gained through experience. [16:22] Coa     If the bench dictates     every move he makes... [16:24] Ura     A squeeze! [16:25] Coa     ...he'll never become a true catcher. [16:35] Ump     Safe! [16:38] And     Wait! Don't throw it! [16:40] Dai     Huh? [16:41] Dai     Too late. [16:45] Ump     Out. [16:45] And     Matsubara! Back home! [16:48] Ump     Safe! SIGN    Nijigaoka SIGN    Mifune [16:51] Kid     We're already two runs ahead! [16:55] Hik     What? They got two runs? [16:57] Hik     Without any hits? [17:02] Kom     It's unexpected, but we've already     got two runs on the board. [17:05] Kom     If their defense at the plate stays     that loose, we'll score another three. [17:09] Ura     Damn. [17:11] Ura     Hey, give me the ball. [17:14] Dai     I-I'm sorry. [17:15] Ura     Stop that. [17:17] Ura     Letting a runner get on base     was my fault, too. [17:20] Ura     And I can't expect someone with     no experience to handle a double squeeze. [17:25] Ura     I don't need apologies. [17:27] Ura     Just keep learning the ropes. [17:30] Ura     As catcher, you've got so much     to do and to think about, [17:32] Ura     you don't have time to get down on yourself. [17:35] Dai     Right! [17:37] Ann     Batting fourth, pitcher, Tamaki-kun. [17:41] Tam     No runners, huh? That's boring. [17:44] Tam     Guess I'll just have to make this a homer. [17:48] Guy     Hey, Momoko! [17:51] Guy     Over here! Here! [17:54] Mom     Why are you hiding over in this corner? [17:56] Mom     Let's get up close to watch our grandson. [17:59] Old     Don't be silly. If he saw his doddery     old grandparents in the crowd, [18:03] Old     he'd probably tense up! [18:05] Old     Daigo's not as brutishly coarse     as Goro. He's delicate. [18:09] Old     So we should stay hidden     when we're watching over him. [18:12] Mom     I wonder if that's right... [18:15] Ump     Strike! [18:16] Kid     Nice one! [18:18] Old     He's doing good! [18:19] Mom     Wow, he really is wearing the mask. SIGN    Nijigaoka SIGN    Mifune [18:24] Old     What?! They're already two runs behind?! [18:32] Tam     Yup, that's going deep to left     center and I'm going to second. [18:41] Tam     Huh? [18:43] Fuj     He caught it! [18:44] Dai     Nice, center! [18:46] Sak     Nice catch, Hikaru-kun! [18:48] Hik     Nah, I just got pumped because     the ball finally came my way. [18:52] Kid     That center fielder's good. [18:54] Kom     So that's Satou Toshiya's son? [18:58] Kom     I don't have a lot of data on him, [18:59] Kom     but I do know he was the     relief pitcher in their first game. [19:02] Kom     He's an outstanding talent. [19:04] Kom     He's the one player on the Dolphins     we need to watch out for. [19:11] Ump     Strike! [19:12] Ump     Three outs! Change sides! [19:14] Old     Phew, they're finally changing sides. [19:17] Old     We got away with only conceding two runs. [19:20] Old     But I'm really glad to see     Daigo's come back here. [19:24] Mom     Me, too. [19:28] (Flashback) Dai     Hey, whose grave is this? SIGN    Honda Family [19:31] (Flashback) Dai     "Hon-da..." Who's that? [19:35] (Flashback) Old     Goro's father. [19:37] (Flashback) Old     Or, in other words, your and     your sister's real grandfather. [19:41] (Flashback) Dai     "Real grandfather"? [19:43] (Flashback) Dai     So does that mean you're a fake grandfather? [19:47] (Flashback) Mom     Jeez! I showed you the photo     and explained it to you already. [19:52] (Flashback) Mom     Your pop's father was involved     in an on-field accident, [19:54] (Flashback) Mom     and died a long time ago. [19:57] (Flashback) Dai     Huh. [19:58] (Flashback) Dai     So this grandpa was a baseball player, too? [20:01] (Flashback) Momo     That's right. [20:03] (Flashback) Momo     Both of your grandfathers     were pro baseball players. [20:07] (Flashback) Momo     You'll also join a baseball team when you     reach fourth grade, won't you, Dai-chan? [20:12] (Flashback) Dai     Yeah! I'm definitely going to     be a baseball player, too! [20:17] Old     That's what he said back then, [20:19] Old     so it really bummed me out when he quit     baseball not long after picking up the bat. [20:24] Old     It looks like he's made some good friends. [20:27] Old     And these friends have     brought him back to the game. [20:32] Ann     Bottom of the first, Dolphins at bat. SIGN    Kimura [20:35] Ann     Batting first, shortstop, Kimura-kun. [20:45] Coa     According to Urabe, he's an Eephus     pitcher who mainly throws slower balls. [20:50] Coa     That's why we practiced     hitting pitches at half speed. [20:53] Kid     What's an Eephus again? [20:55] Fuj     Put simply, it's an extremely slow pitch. [20:58] Coa     I wonder what his throw will be like. [21:02] Ump     Play! [21:10] Kid     That's mega slow! [21:13] Ump     Strike! [21:15] Fuj     That's even slower than I imagined! [21:17] Fuj     But it's just slow, nothing more. [21:19] Fuj     If he got a no-hitter with those pitches, [21:21] Fuj     their opposition in the first round     must've been very weak. [21:25] Mom     That's some relaxed pitching      from such a big youngster. [21:30] Mom     With throws like those, they'll claw     back those two runs in no time. [21:34] Old     No, if the balls were just slow,     they'd be easy to hit. [21:38] Old     But with a slow rainbow pitch like that, [21:41] Old     the impact point becomes tiny,     so getting a hit is quite difficult. [21:46] Ump     Strike two! [21:48] Old     And because they use a softer ball,     even if you do make contact, [21:52] Old     it won't go far unless you hit     the ball pretty much dead center. [22:00] Ump     Out. [22:02] Coa     He's good. [22:03] Fuj     That was a hard hit to field. [22:06] Coa     Well, they do have Komori as their manager. [22:08] Coa     It's not surprising     their defense is so solid. [22:12] Ann     Batting second, catcher, [22:14] Ann     Shigeno-kun. [22:16] Mom     He's up! There's our Dai-chan! [22:18] Hik     Good luck, Daigo-kun! [24:02] Dai     The Dolphins just can't seem to score     against the Beetles' iron-tight defense. [24:07] Dai     And in addition to that slow ball,     their ace has another secret weapon? [24:10] Dai     Is that even fair?! [24:13] Dai     If this keeps up, we're in trouble. [24:14] Dai     We've got to do something to break through. [24:18] Dai     Next time: "The Key to Success." SIGN    The Key to Success [24:20] Dai     Run to the stage of your dreams!