Eijun

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Eijun (Sawamura Eijun)
Alias(es)	“Fire Left-Handed Pitcher”
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Seido High School Baseball Club
Occupation/Role	Left-handed pitcher; later a relief option in Seido’s pitcher rotation
First Appearance	Chapter 90

Background / History

Eijun joins Seido as a late-arriving freshman from Akagi Junior High. During his introduction, he openly declares his aspiration to become Seido’s future Ace 90.

Early evaluations place him behind the other first-year pitchers in overall strength. His experience with softball rather than formal hardball baseball leaves him with erratic control, though it also produces an unusual moving-ball style that catchers struggle to handle 95 96. He initially throws below 130 km/h, well behind the first-years who already exceed 140 km/h, fueling his anxiety about whether his pitching can truly help the team 109.

Assigned to the Second String, Eijun begins intensive training under Chris. He initially doubts the value of the program, but apologizes after learning its purpose and commits himself to it. His early practice-game appearances are unstable, yet Seido’s defense supports him while he learns to trust the team behind him 105.

Kōshū becomes a major influence on Eijun’s development. He teaches Eijun how the nine fielding positions cooperate, challenges his dependence on stronger pitchers, and later helps him learn the Fast Cutter 106 127 210. Eijun gradually learns that becoming useful to Seido requires more than enthusiasm: he must pitch with purpose, control, and awareness of the game situation 136.

After damaging his pitching form by imitating advice intended for Furuya, Eijun is removed from the Autumn Tournament and works with Coach Ochiai to rebuild his mechanics 201 202. His return includes the mastery of a Fast Cutter and continued development of his moving pitches 210 351.

During Seido’s game against Yakushi, Eijun takes the mound after Kōshū moves to left field. Kōshū’s acceptance of Eijun’s support marks a turning point in their relationship, while Eijun uses the opportunity to prove that he can contribute in high-pressure innings 266.

Personality

Eijun is loud, excitable, and openly emotional. He frequently makes grand declarations, loudly celebrates his own pitching, and can become overly enthusiastic around teammates and younger players 264 351.

Despite his brashness, he is deeply sincere. He wants to carry his teammates’ expectations, improve through every opportunity, and earn the Ace role through results rather than simply demanding it 127 210. His confidence often gives way to self-doubt when he compares himself to Kōshū and Furuya, but he repeatedly regains his resolve through training and competition 109 314.

Eijun is highly dependent on encouragement and direct guidance early on. Over time, he becomes more conscious of his flaws, asks for structured assessment, and learns to view setbacks as part of his growth as a pitcher 105 309.

Abilities & Skills

Left-Handed Moving-Ball Pitching

Eijun is a left-handed pitcher whose unconventional background produces pitches with irregular movement near the plate.

• His pitches developed through softball experience and a lack of formal hardball instruction 95.
• His moving balls are difficult for catchers to receive cleanly, with late movement occurring just before the mitt 355.
• His early control is inconsistent, and he initially lacks the ball speed of Seido’s other top first-year pitchers 95 109.
• His late-breaking ball is recognized as a strength, though it is less effective against metal bats and initially earns him limited innings in major games 176.

Inside-Corner Pitching

Under Chris’s guidance, Eijun trains to attack the inside corner rather than pitching only through momentum.

• He learns to pitch for the team’s needs rather than for personal excitement 136.
• His inside-corner straight ball becomes a key part of his self-described pitching repertoire 264.
• He can use low inside pitches effectively to freeze or disrupt batters 266.

Fast Cutter

Eijun learns a Fast Cutter from Kōshū after persistently asking for a changeup-like weapon to increase his value to the team.

• Kōshū initially refuses, then agrees to teach him 210.
• Lang Zhi assists Eijun through the extended practice session needed to master it 210.
• Eijun later includes the Cutter alongside his inside- and outside-corner straight balls and changeup in his pitching repertoire 264.

Numbers

Eijun develops an early version of his own “numbers” pitching system.

• By changing his grip while keeping the same arm swing, he can create major variations in pitch trajectory 351.
• The system is still incomplete when he first uses it in competition 351.

Fielding and Team Play

Eijun improves his awareness of defensive cooperation as he adapts to Seido baseball.

• Kōshū teaches him the nine-player field layout and the cooperation required among fielders 106.
• His early starts rely heavily on Seido’s defense, teaching him to trust the players behind him 105.
• He later develops improved pitcher-covering skills and begins designing new fielding moves 346.

Relationships

• Kōshū — Mentor, teammate, and primary rival for the Ace role. Eijun calls him “Brother,” seeks his instruction, and is pushed by him to take responsibility for his own ambition 127 210 266.
• Chris — Training mentor. Eijun initially distrusts Chris’s program, then apologizes and commits to the training after understanding its purpose 105.
• Miyuki Kazuya — Catcher and on-field guide. Miyuki steadies Eijun during difficult appearances and helps him focus on pitch location and composure 135 391.
• Furuya Satoru — Fellow first-year pitcher and friendly rival. Their contrasting styles and shared desire to improve drive competition within Seido’s pitching staff 95 217.
• Lang Zhi — Teammate and frequent sparring partner. Lang Zhi helps Eijun practice the Fast Cutter and regularly teases him 106 210.
• Kataoka Tesshin — Seido’s manager. Kataoka gives Eijun carefully limited opportunities while evaluating his development and reliability 220 339.
• Ochiai — Coach who corrects Eijun’s distorted pitching form after Eijun follows advice meant for Furuya 201 202.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Seido Enrollment and Second String Training

Eijun arrives late to Seido, declares his dream of becoming Ace, and quickly discovers the gap between his ability and that of elite high-school pitchers 90 96. His Second String training under Chris begins his transition from an instinctive pitcher into a more deliberate one 105.

First Official Opportunities

Eijun earns limited appearances in official games. Although nerves and poor control cause early mistakes, he begins to respond to Miyuki’s guidance and produces successful innings under pressure 135.

Pursuit of the Ace

Watching Kōshū assume greater responsibility forces Eijun to confront his own dependence and insecurity. Kōshū’s challenge prompts Eijun to reaffirm that he still wants to become Ace 127.

Form Collapse and Recovery

Eijun’s attempt to copy a pitching form intended for Furuya damages his own mechanics and costs him the Autumn Tournament. He seeks Ochiai’s help, rebuilds his form, and adds the Fast Cutter to strengthen his case for future selection 201 202 210.

Acceptance Within Seido’s Pitching Staff

When Eijun relieves Kōshū against Yakushi, he receives Kōshū’s genuine support rather than suspicion or distance. The moment reinforces his place in Seido’s rotation and deepens the bond between the two pitchers 266.

Spring Koshien Contributions

Eijun receives closing opportunities during Spring Koshien and struggles with the feeling that his achievements are small compared with Seido’s established Ace. He ultimately resolves to make the most of every chance to pitch 314.

Notable Quotes

“I will make them keep hitting it out! Everyone in the back defense, please bear with me!” 341

“Leave the pitcher’s mound to me!” 266

Trivia

• Eijun takes soil from the pitcher’s mound after a match, repeating one of his earlier declarations while doing so 341.
• He is notably flexible and performs yoga with Kōshū and Furuya 399.
• Kōshū compares his loud, straightforward behavior to that of a Shiba Inu 266.