"Though they didn't have any particularly obvious power hitters, their strengths were their consistency and plate discipline." Facing the leadoff batter of a lineup like this, Miyuki chose to attack the outside corner first.
Tanba stood on the sweltering Pitcher's Mound. Two other third-year pitchers had already thrown here today. There was no reason for him to shrink back, so he hardened his heart.
He fired the pitch. It was a ball thrown with every ounce of strength he had, but the traits of Seido's third-year ace had already been thoroughly analyzed by the previous two teams. As Kyoma University's leadoff batter, he cautiously watched the ball approach Home Plate. When he realized, in surprise, that it was a fastball, he immediately swung. Still, he was late, only barely managing to hit a Foul Ball.
It was a fastball? He questioned it because he thought he had a rough grasp of Seido's catcher's patterns. After analyzing the previous two games, Kyoma University's players had discovered that this catcher often used unconventional Pitching Strategy—such as three straight Changeups after a fastball had been caught up to, or two consecutive fastballs after opening with an off-speed pitch. In short, he was skilled at playing with batters' minds.
He definitely thinks I'm waiting for a fastball. After all, the opposing ace's weaker fastball had become public knowledge at Koshien. So the leadoff batter had to do the opposite. Since you think I'm waiting for a fastball, I'll wait for an off-speed pitch instead. That way, I can either square one up or wait for a ball.
But it was actually a fastball. The leadoff batter could not help feeling a trace of wariness. That catcher is deadly.
So what about the second pitch? The catcher had definitely seen that late swing just now,