"Wow, there are really a lot of people here to watch the second string game today!" Senior Kuramochi had just arrived at Field B when he smiled and struck up a conversation with Sendou.
"It's a rare weekend, and the First Team only has a single game today. Of course some people couldn't sit still," Sendou replied casually as he looked over the crowd.
"How's the situation today?!"
"It's only the third inning. The game has just started!
"That guy Sendou came so early. Rare to see him being this diligent!" Miyuki answered Senior Kuramochi.
"After all, today's Starting Pitcher is a junior from his dorm, and it's also Furuya's comeback game!
"The coach probably told him to keep an eye on Furuya's condition too, right?!
"Though it isn't a comeback as a pitcher!" Miyuki then answered his own jab.
"This guy... he's heckling himself!" The group was somewhat speechless at Miyuki.
"How has Furuya been doing?!" Senior Kuramochi simply chose to ignore him.
"He's been passable!
"His batting has been good, and his defense has looked decent too!
"At the very least, he hasn't made any rookie mistakes just because it's his first official game as a third baseman!" Sendou rarely refrained from teasing and spoke honestly.
"But... the truly troublesome and exhausting part of infield defense hasn't started yet!!
"Especially for a beginner!!" Senior Kuramochi first nodded in acknowledgment of Furuya, then spoke with a smile.
"True!
"While the infield doesn't require the repeated sprints of the outfield, which test anaerobic endurance—
"—it demands extremely fast reactions...
"Well!
"Baseball players aren't slow to react. The real issue is that it burns through mental energy and concentration!
"If you don't know how to manage when to focus, and stay concentrated the entire time, you'll tire out unbearably fast!
"Not