Back in B-Towne. Customs lady not like the lettuce seeds uncle tried to secretly stuff in our bags.

Back in America. Absolute exhausted. No extra chapter of Oofuri translated on the plane because OMG so absolutely exhausted. Though actually as for what I got done before getting on the plane... Well, let’s just not talk about whether or whether not I may have at some point suggested that I wouldn’t translate entire chapters of Oofuri in a day again. The point is, it was very, very boring where I was most of the time. At least if you’re a girl who doesn’t drink much. Though, actually, I do think I was slightly drunk when I translated the end of this, as at one point during one of the numerous never-ending beef dinners I figured trying that out was probably as good a way as any to pass the time since pulling my book out would probably be rather rude. I also stole a roll of toilet paper from a restaurant bathroom while I was drunk, but that was more desperation than lack of inhibition. Most of the bathrooms there had no toilet paper, and they had no soap either. HOW DOES THAT WORK? I'm still not sure.

As for being slightly drunk, things just got slightly swimmy with no perceptible changes to thought process, speed, clarity or mood. I was rather disappointed. The next day I snuck on to the internet just before first dinner (Beef. It's what's for first dinner. I don't see why I'm unemployed when I can write such catchy phrases. Or fantastic reimaginings of catchy phrases, anyway.) to try and post the translation. But while I didn't have time to do that I did get to check what “nagasu” meant in baseball terms (...to push the ball it seems?) in order to fill in a few gaps in my understanding of the chapter. After they pulled me off I spent the meal drawing baseball diamonds on the metal table with the drops of perspiration from my soda can and mentally translating the bits I'd left out in the script, trying to more fully visualize and understand the situation Abe was describing during his at-bat.

It was much more fun than the drunk dinner.

(As for my last last dinner, we had cha to drink and then “American Corn.” Exactly the kind of thing one should always have for their last meal in a foreign country.)

But no, seriously, being stuck mostly bored to death on visit to family aside, I'm really enjoying doing this. Translating the Oofuri characters is so fun. I really should have started doing it back when I first thought about it when I was reading these chapters for the first time. (It's a little confusing and sad when it's all kind of old news to you but new to everyone else. ^_^;) Usually I might burn out at this rate or at least slow down, but every time I get on the internet to post my newest chapter, a little tired from finishing and thinking about taking a break for a few days at least maybe, I then see the comments people left all excited about the new developments in the last chapter, and end up excited myself and starting straight away on the next one as soon as I'm back on my computer again, heheh.

I try not to be a complete feedback whore as I figure if I'm going to do something I should enjoy the act itself whatever I may hear back (and I swear, I do! If it isn't already obvious, hahah), but gosh it surely doesn't hurt to take inspiration from things you hear back, right?

By which of course I mean, thanks to everyone for being nice. Because all of you are. Very nice.



SUMMARY:

Waiting to bat, Hanai notes that the pitcher isn't unittable and that he'd like to make a hit to turn around the mood of the game. Tajima thinks to himself that the outfielders are back to their usual positions. He'd noticed before when they were far forward for he and Izumi, and slightly forward for Sakaeguchi and Suyama. He notes the changes must be about more than physique, and continues to think.

In the dugout, Abe is unsure of something, and decides to try asking Mihashi his opinion. Abe says he sees that the batters are hitting balls in the opposite are from where they usually like, but he wonders why they aren't hitting in the places they usually like as well. Mihashi becomes very nervous and has difficulty talking. Momokan says if he has an idea he should say it, and Mihashi eventually gets out that maybe the batters aren't hitting those areas because they are always balls. After confirming this, Momokan says it seems throwing balls in the place the batter likes it must be a “habit” in Abe's pitch calling. Abe thinks to himself that isn't quite correct, as such a tactic is a fundamental of mixing pitches. Abe then realizes that usually the pitch won't always go where planned, muddling the results, but with Mihashi as his pitcher things end up differently.

As Hanai bats, Tajima yells at him to pull the ball. Hanai is confused, and think to himself that while he used to pull the ball in middle school a lot, he's gotten better now. He hits the ball and it is quickly picked up by a Bijou member, tossed and tossed to his teammate to get Hanai out. Hanai is amazed by their cooperation which seems like the level of pros, and Tajima is impressed as well, but notes that in reality their success was partly because the two Bijou teammates were hanging close to second where Hanai usually hit the ball. Tajima notes that Bijou must have studied Nishiura thoroughly.

Abe realizes he is up to bat soon, and as he readies to go Momokan tells him to keep thinking about both the offense and defense issues. Momokan thinks to herself that calling the pitch calling pattern Abe's “habit” is harsh, as really it's more because Mihashi is his pitcher. She figures now that they understand what is going on they can fix their defense, but that batting is the issue now. She calls to the team and lets them know what is going on, telling them to watch the Bijou defensive positions during their at-bats, and consider what Bijou might be expecting them to do. If they think they can exceed Bijou's expectations they can hit as they always do, but if they do not think they can, they should try to change their batting. If Bijou is moving their defense around, there should be holes left in other places they can aim for. Izumi notes that he already intended to try to hit a ground ball anyway, but considering how Tajima hit before wonders if Tajima had already noticed the defense moving.

Up to bat, Abe notices the outfielders moving to the right, and wonders if this means they expect him to be bad at pushing the ball. They pitch him a fastball on the outside, and he watches it go by, noting they must not expect him to have the power to pull the ball when they pitch it on the outside. Abe swings at the next pitch, and in the stands the announcers on the portable TV note the ball was high and would have been a ball if Abe had not swing. They say Abe is swinging wide, and that he seems to be too impatient. Abe swings at and misses his next pitch as well, and the second inning is over.

Momokan notes that really most of the Nishiura boys don't have the skill to aim for holes left by the Bijou defense, and that Tajima and Sakaeguchi, who they will not have data on, are their best chances.

Abe yells at Mihashi to help him get on his catcher's gear. Hanai notes that while this may just be an excuse for them to talk, Abe having his pitcher help with something like that makes the situation look a bit desperate. Hanai talks to Izumi about the Bijou defense moving around, and both say they did not notice it. Hanai mentions Tajima yelling at him to pull the ball, but figures it was just a coincidence. Izumi is now convinced, however, that Tajima must have noticed the defense moving early on, and becomes irritable. Thinking back, Hanai becomes embarrassed he did not score for Mihashi as he said he would.

As Mihashi helps him with his gear, Abe tells Mihashi he should shake his head from now on. At Mihashi's confusion, Abe explains that he will give Mihashi a middle finger sign to tell him to shake his head. Then he will give Mihashi a dummy sign to nod at (though in reality Mihashi will pitch the first sign...if I understand this right?). Abe offers to explain again if Mihashi does not understand, but he says he does. Nishiura is impressed that Abe has thought up a sign even for something like that.

After they go out onto the field, Abe checks once again to make sure Mihashi understands and doesn't accidentally pitch the dummy sign. Mihashi says he does, but starts shaking his head and asking if that is ok. Abe is bewildered till he realizes that Mihashi is asking him how to shake his head, and tells him to just do it as he normally would, as surely he shook his head sometimes in middle school. Abe then realizes Mihashi never had an opportunity to shake his head then either. He tells Mihashi he's doing it perfectly, and thinks on how Mihashi has never had someone he felt comfortable shaking his head at, from Hatake at Mihoshi to probably older catchers before him, to Abe himself now.

Mihashi throws a strike on the inside where the batter likes it, and the batter doesn't swing. Mihashi throws another strike, and the batter is surprised by this change in pattern, but figures they must happen occasionally. The batter figures a strike on the outside is coming next, probably a shoot though maybe a fastball. When it turns out to be a curve ball, he is surprised and misses it completely.

Wada, the cleanup who bat the home run before comes up next. Abe asks for a shoot on the outside corner that turns into a ball. Mihashi is surprised they are throwing balls where batters like again, but does as Abe says. Wada notes it is the exact same pitch he got in his first at-bat, and when the next comes on the inside, Wada thinks Abe might be repeating pitches again and that he might be getting the exact same one he got the home run off of. The ball turns out to be a shoot (rather than the expected slider), and Wada misses it. After that Abe does call for the exact pitch Wada got the home run off of (slider on the inside), and Mihashi is worried but pitches as he says anyway. Wada is confused now, and still with the afterimage of the last pitch in his head, he hits the ball, but is pops up and is caught. Abe finds it satisfying to turn Bijou's strategy against them.

Wada explains to Takii what happened in his at-bat. Takii lectures Wada on not getting tricked like a first year, as he is their captain and their cleanup. Takii notes that Nishiura is changing their mix of pitches, but he isn't sure if it's because they've picked up on Bijou's tactics or just because of Bijou's four point lead.

As with Wada, Abe once again has Mihashi throw a ball in the batters preferred location. Next he asks for a curve ball on the outside. Mihashi notes that though he studied the same data as Abe, he still can't understand Abe's choice of pitches at all. The batter notes that while the types of pitches are changing, those in his preferred area are still balls. The batter figures Abe will throw a strike next, so it will probably be an inside shoot. When the pitch turns out to be a slider, he hits it badly. The ball is caught and the third batter is out.

In the stands, Roka is frustrated. Kazusa greets him and says it looks like they've been using the data he gave them well.

Abe compliments Mihashi on his pitching and Mihashi compliments Abe on his pitch calling. Abe notes to Mihashi that he never shook his head and asks if he ever wanted to. Mihashi says no, that just pitching as Abe says is all he wants to do. Mihashi thinks to himself that this is what is best to do, and that just listening to Abe is what's most important to him. Abe looks somewhat less satisfied with Mihashi's answer than usual.

Mizutani nervously asks Tajima to do something for him, clearly wanting to be tickled. As he tries to explain to Tajima, Izumi sneaks up behind him and tickles him as Mizutani screams that he's had enough. Izumi tells Mizutani that he should be relaxed now, and that though he is low in the batting rank, all he needs to do is hit the ball and get on base. Mizutani thanks him and goes out to bat. Izumi thinks to himself that he will score a point in his next at-bat for sure.

TRANSLATION:

[translation by narwhaltortellini]
[Please note that my grasp on the Japanese language is tenuous and my understanding of baseball even more so. These translations and summaries were made with hopes of being helpful to fans who would like to read on in the story and do not mind suffering the occasional ambiguity or error. Parts I am consciously unsure of have been marked with two question marks (??), sometimes with my best guess at what they might mean. Note that the absence of question marks does not make the translation correct. ^_^]

[Anyone is free to use or repost these as they like, and scanlators are free to use them as aids. Just remember to use them, not trust them. It would, of course, be very kind of anyone taking them to let me know where they're going.]

01
Hanai: Yeah.
Hanai: The ball isn't unhittable.
[Bottom of the second inning. Batting 5th for Nishiura high school,]
Hanai: This is the first time anyone's gotten four points off us by the second inning.
Hanai: Mihashi is getting even more indecisive. // And Abe's getting even more irritable.

02
Hanai: I have to make a hit that will turn around this atmosphere!
[Right fielder, Hanai-kun. // Uniform number 9.]

03
Taji: The outfielders are back to their usual positions.
Taji: During me and Izumi's at-bat they were really far forward. // During Sakaeguchi and Suyama's, they were just slightly forward.
Taji: So it's probably about more than just physique.
Taji: Even if Izumi and I are a bit small. // The placement of the outfielders is...hm.

04
Abe: It really is reversed.
Abe: Huh...
Abe: Doesn't hurt to try asking.
Abe: Say.
Abe: You say they're hitting the opposites.
Abe: And it's true they're hitting the reverse location of where they usually like it.
Abe: But they're also not swinging at the pitches where they supposedly like, either.
Abe: Do you have any idea why?
Mihashi: (Eh!?)
Abe: ....
Abe: If you don't, it's ok to just say so!

05
Momo: Mihashi-kun!
Momo: If you have an idea, then why don't you say it!?
Abe: ...Eh?
Abe: So you have one?
Mihashi: ...Ah...
Abe: Well then say it already!
Abe: I'm going to be next up to bat...
Abe: soon.
Momo: Alright.
Momo: Let's hear it!
Miha: ...Ah // I... // don't
Miha: Think // it's

06
Miha: R- // Really
Miha: M- // Much // of
Miha: A // an // an- // swer.
Miha: Ah.
Miha: Really.
Miha: But.
Momo: (Just have to wait for him...)
Abe: (I'm waiting...)
Miha: Maybe they don't swing at the places // they // like // because... // they're
Miha: All...balls?

07
Momo: They pitches they're watching...
Momo: Are always balls?
Abe: It's not like I'm telling him to throw something obviously out of the zone!
Abe: I choose something that will look like a strike and then turns into a ball.
Abe: I aim for where the batter likes to hit,
Abe: And then...
Ump: Ball!
Ump: Ball!
Ump: Ball!

08
Abe: I guess...
Abe: I do have him throw a lot of balls.
Abe: So then, // The reason they're letting so many by is...
Momo: So it looks like aiming balls where the batter likes to hit // then
Momo: Has become a habit in your pitch calling?
Abe: Well, // Calling it “mine” is a little...
Abe: I mean, it's like a basic rule in mixing pitches.
Abe: It's normal, and besides...

09
Abe: Normally, not all the pitches are going to end up where you plan, anyway.
Abe: And you just deal with those situations as they come. // I've always done it like that...
Abe: [Only now, I've got this guy...]
Momo: ....
Momo: Now...
Momo: Hanai-kun!

10
Tajima: Hanai, pull the ball!
Tajima: Your batting!
Hanai: Huh? What what's he talking about now!? // Sure, I used to pull the ball all the time back in middle school, but...
Hanai: I’ve moved on…

11
Hanai: From my days as a pull hitter!

12
Ump: Out!
Ump: Out!

13
All: ....
Hanai: No way.
Hanai: I hit it to the front of center, just like always!
Hanai: But their cooperation just now...
Hanai: They were just like pros!
Tajima: That level of cooperation during a play like that is definitely impressive.
Tajima: But still.
Tajima: They were able to pull it off because both number 4 and 6 were hanging towards second base to protect the area better.

14
Tajima: These guys...
Tajima: Have strictly studied us.
Momo: ....
[Batting sixth, first baseman, Oki-kun.]
Abe: Crap, I'm next...
Momo: Abe-kun!
Abe: Yeah!
Momo: I want you to keep thinking about both our offense and defense!
Abe: ....!
Abe: Yes, ma'am!

15
Momo: I called it a “habit” in Abe-kun's pitching.
Momo: But I'll admit that's a little harsh.
Momo: [It's more because Mihashi-kun is the pitcher...]
Momo: [Well... That was a bit of a shock, but...]
Momo: [Now that we know the issue, they can start changing the mix of pitches.]
Momo: Our real problem now...
Momo: Is that they've probably researched our batting as well!
Momo: Everyone, stay as you are, but listen up!

16
Momo: Bijou has been collecting data on us.
Momo: And it looks like they've done their research well.
Momo: The reason they were able to score so easily in the first two innings, // Was because they were able to read our battery's pitch calling.
Mihashi: (S-So that was it...)
Momo: And they same goes for our batting.
Momo: Did any of you notice // How far forward the outfielders came on Tajima-kun and Izumi-kun's at-bats?
Izumi: ....
Izumi: So that means...
Izumi: They figured I couldn't make the ball fly very far?
Momo: During Hanai-kun's at-bat,
Momo: Two of them were hanging around second base to strengthen the defense in that area.

17
Momo: They knew that Hanai-kun tends to bat toward center field!
Momo: Do you understand?
Momo: When you're standing at bat, first take note of the defensive positions!
Momo: If they've made a shift specifically for you, // You need to think about why it is they chose the position they did.
Momo: Are they expecting you to pull or push the ball? To make it roll?
Momo: Consider what sort of batter they might expect you to be.

18
Momo: Then,
Momo: If you have confidence that you can exceed their expectations, go ahead and hit as you always do.
Momo: But if you don't think you have the ability to change your batting power,
Momo: Then change the way you hit the ball!

18
Momo: If the defense aren't in their standard positions, // Then that means they're leaving a hole somewhere else! // Look closely and aim for those areas!
All: (Yeas ma'am!)
Izumi: As it was I'd already intended to hit a grounder.
Izumi: Tajima got through the infield easy that way...
Izumi: .... // Did he...
Izumi: Already know, and hit the grounder intentionally?

19
Ump: Strike!
[Batting seventh, catcher, Abe-kun. // Uniform number 2.]
Abe: ....
Abe: The outfielders are moving to the right.
Abe: [Am I bad at pushing the ball?] (??)
Abe: [Assuming that's true, then according to this shift...] (??)
Abe: What are they going to pitch?

Ump: Strike!
Abe: Fastball on the outside, eh?
Abe: If that was the pitch he really asked for, // Then that means they don't think I have the power to forcibly pull the ball when it’s pitched on the outside.

21
[A high one. Would have been a ball if he'd let it by.]
[He's swinging a little wide, isn't he?]
[I think you're right. They may be behind four points right now, but this game's still only getting started. // Not the time to start getting impatient.
Abe: I need to cool down.
Abe: Do they use their deciding ball after the third pitch?
Abe: [From what I've seen today, // It'll probably start high and then fall lower.] ??

22
[Ah, a slider. Looks like they tricked him! (??) // And that will bring a close to the second inning of our first prefecture match here in Oomiya Stadium.]
HanaM: Out in three.
MihaM: I remember this commercial...
TV: I hate carrots! // ?? (*I think I may have seen this commercial, lol. Only I don’t seem to be albe to find it on Youtube again to figure out this line, since it’s bugging me, hahaha. It was for something Kewpie (tarako?) or something maybe? If I’m even right? ^_^;)
AbeM: And he swung at two balls!
Kazu: Seems like Roka studied Nishiura really well.
Kazu: Though Nishiura's probably going to wise up to that any time now.

23
Kazu: Once they do, if they can figure out how to deal with it, they may have things a lot easier. (??)
Momo: As far as batting goes,
Momo: These kids still have to work within their own personal imitations.
Momo: Frankly, though the defense might be moving around,
Momo: Not many of them are going to have the skill to aim for those holes.
Momo: [A conservative estimate probably only gives us... // Sakaeguchi-kun, who they won't have much data on...]
Momo: ....
Momo: And then... // Tajima.

24
Hanai: Alright! // Let's go!
Abe: Mihashi!
Abe: Help me with the leg guards!
?: (?? lit: Eh, his name!?)

25
Hanai: Even if he's just trying to buy time to talk,
Hanai: Abe making Mihashi help him like that makes it sound like even he's starting to feel cornered. // You'd think his life depended on this game the way he flies off the handle like that. (??)
Abe: You don't have to carry it to me!
Hanai: ...Hey. // Did you notice the defense moving around?
Izumi: Hope.
Izumi: You?
Hanai: Me neither.
Hanai: I only pay attention to that kind of thing when there's a runner on base.
Izumi: Yeah.
Hanai: Though...When I was up Tajima did yell at me to pull the ball, didn't he? // He doesn't usually say stuff like that.
Izumi: The first ball of my first at bat. // I thought it was good, so I went for it.
Izumi: But... // I was just taken in.
Hanai: Just a coincidence I guess?
Izumi: If they shifted the same way... // Then they probably pitched the same kind of ball to Tajima, too.

26
Izumi: .... (Tch.)
Izumi: ...I think, // I think Tajima noticed the change in Bijou's defense!
Hanai: Really!? // Does he watch the defense all the time or something!?
Izumi: How should I know!? Just ask him yourself!
Hanai: ?
Hanai: What's he so angry about? // We can just ask him when we switch over.
Hanai: Unfortunately, // We can't rewind time. (??)
Hanai: If I'd actually listened to Tajima, // I may have had a chance to score...
Hanai: I'm going to score in the next inning! *(I translated this “we” in the last chapter, but it seems now that he must have meant “I”, yeah?)
Hanai: The next one! // (??)
Hanai: Though I'm embarrassed right now!
-(Hanai, stop screwing around!) ??
Abe: Hey.

27
Abe: You
Abe: Should shake your head from now on.
Mihashi: ....
Miha: ....
Miha: ....Eh!?
Miha: ...Um.
Miha: B- // But.
Miha: If I shake my head... // He'll
Miha: He'll hate me, won't he?
Abe: Don't get confused.
Abe: Listen. // You'll just be shaking your head with my signal.
Miha: Uh.
Miha: Huh?

28
Abe: After I give the signs.
Abe: I'll put out my middle finger.
Abe: Like this.
Abe: Then, you shake your head once.
Abe: After that, I'll give you a dummy sign that you'll nod your head at, and then you throw. (??)
Abe: I may do it two or three times, as the need arises. // Got it?
Miha: Ah. // Um. // Er. // ...Yes.
Abe: Are you sure? // You want me to explain again?
Miha: I // I already // understand!
Miha: I'll // shake // my head.
Miha: Then nod at the // dummy sign!

29
Ump: Alright, if you're done here, then move it!
Both: Yes, sir!
Ump: Give it your best!
Nishi: A sign for the pitcher to shake his head?
Nishi: To have a sign even for something like that. // Wow.
Nishi: Come to think of it, I've barely ever see Mihashi shake his...
Nishi: ...Actually,
Nishi: I've never seen it even once...?
Abe: ??

30
Abe: Last one!

(And now, page 31 scanlated because I say so.)


31
Abe: Hey.
Abe: Make sure not to follow the dummy sign, alright?
Miha: I won't // Get confused!
Abe: Alright, then.
Miha: Is...!
Abe: What?
Miha: doing
Miha: it
Miha: like...
Abe: ....?
Miha: Is // that
Miha: Al- // Alright...?
Abe: .... (etc.)
Abe: Are you asking me how to shake your head!?
Abe: Just do it normally!
Abe: You shook your head in middle school, right!? // It's not going to change just because...

32
Abe: ...Oh. // Right.
Abe: In middle school he...
Abe: The way you did it there was fine.
Miha: Like // that!?
Abe: Yeah. That's perfect!
Abe: I'll leave you to it!
Miha: O- // O-
Miha: Ok!
Abe: Back at Mihoshi he never even got signs.
Abe: He didn't even have a chance to shake his head.

33
Abe: Third inning!
Abe: Let's go!
Abe: But... // It's not like it was always like that for him, right?
Abe: Well....
Abe: Then again I guess he's never really had someone he's felt comfortable shaking his head at...
Abe: [There was Hatake... // And then his sempai's before that...]
Abe: [And now... // He's got me.]
[Top of the third inning. Batting third for Bijoudai Sayama High School, // Second baseman, Yano-kun.]

34
Takii: If we can keep up like we have been and score some more points, they'll have quite a bit of pressure on them.
Takii: Keep up that energy and make a good attack!
Ump: Play ball!
Yano: Don't swing at the inside.
Yano: If it's on the outside, it'll be a shoot.
Yano: It's inside!

35
Ump: Strike!
Yano: It went in.
Yano: Well, bound to happen sometimes, after all.
Ump: Strike!

36
Yano: Hun...
Miha: Yano (-kun) likes the ball...
Miha: Inside. // But he didn't swing just now because he thought it would be a ball.
Miha: Even though...it was a strike.
Yano: Normally after two pitches on the inside they'd switch to the outside, right? // The only ball this guy has that'll run to the outside is his shoot.
Yano: [But since I hit the shoot at my first at-bat...]
Yano: [Maybe he'll throw his fastball...]

37
Yano: Outside! // But...
Yano: It's a curve ball!

38
Abe: So they really were hitting exactly to that pattern.
Abe: Now that I know, it seems so simple.
Abe: And it makes those 4 lost points even more frustrating.
[Batting 4th, center fielder, Wada-kun.]
[Uniform number 8.]
Abe: So, the guy who hit the home run.

39
Abe: Wada likes the outside corner. // The home run he hit last time was off a slider on the inside corner.
Abe: It follows their rule about hitting the opposites.
Miha: A shoot. // On the outside corner. // That...turns into a ball.
Miha: So... // A ball where Wada-kun likes it, on the outside corner.
Miha: If he lets it go by, it'll be 0-1...won't it?
Miha: ...It's ok. // I...
Miha: I'll pitch however Abe-kun tells me to.
Miha: Even if I get hit!
Ump: Ball!

40
Wada: First ball just the same as at my first at-bat?
Wada: How about the second?
Wada: The inside!? // Just like my home run before...

41
Wada: It... // was...
Wada: A shoot?
Wada: Well, // It's not like he'd really send me the same pitch as the one I got a home run off before.
Wada: Though it was a strike, wasn't it?
Wada: Guess he still thinks aiming at the inside corner is safe against me.

42
Miha: ...Ah.
Miha: ...A slider. // On // ...the inside.
Miha: Is
Miha: Where he got the home run before.
Miha: ...But // it
Miha: Doesn't matter. // If Abe-kun gives me the sign to do it...
Miha: Then that's how I'm going to pitch!

43
Wada: Inside!
Wada: I'll go for it!

45
Miha: I knew // Throwing how Abe-kun said would work!
[Batting fifth, right fielder, Miyata-kun.]
Abe: So that's the 3rd and 4th taken care of. // Anyway. // Now that we understand their tactic.
Abe: It's definitely satisfying to turn it against them.
Abe: I'd like to stop them from figuring out we're on to them.
Wada: That shoot on the outside // Was the same pitch I got during my first at-bat.
Wada: The second was on the inside, probably a slider. // Since during my first at-bat I got a home run off a slider on the inside, I guess he had that on his mind, too.

46
Wada: That // If they pitched me three sliders on the inside...
Wada: Then if I saw a ball on the inside, I'd start to assume it was a slider.
Wada: With the afterimage of the shoot from the second pitch still in my head,
Wada: I ended up hitting too far to the middle.
Takii: Shouldn't you...
Takii: Be a little more embarrassed about getting tricked like some first year?
Wada: ....
Takii: You're our cleanup hitter and our captain! // Aren't you!?
Wada: ...Yes! // I'm very sorry!
Takii: You think your job is over after hitting that home run today!?
Takii: This tournament // Should be the culmination of every at-bat experience you've had over the last three years! (??)

47
Takii: If you don't want to screw this up,
Takii: Then you'd better get serious!
Wada: Yes sir!
Takii: Nishiura is changing their pitch calling.
Takii: Is it because of our four point lead?
Takii: [Or... // Is it because they've figured us out?]
Ump: Ball!
-A ball in my favorite place, as usual.
-He seems more composed than my last at-bat when he suddenly started using the fastball.

48
Miha: The next pitch is a curve ball // on
Miha: The outside.
Miha: It's strange.
Miha: I've looked at the same data as Abe-kun...
Miha: [But I still don't understand]
Miha: [His choices at all.]
-Outside.
Ump: Ball!

49
-The types of balls are changing, but the ones on the outside are still staying balls.
-It's 0-2 now. // He'll probably throw a strike next.
-Which means it'll be inside.
-?? (something about the last curve ball and being conscious of “distant” balls.)
-It's got to be a shoo... (??)

50
-A slider!?
Oki: Alright!
Ump: Out!
Roka: ...Damn.
Roka: How did the cleanup get taken in like that? // It seems like the other guys are already figuring out a way to deal with us.

51
Roka: What's making Takii drag his feet like...
Kazu: Roka-san!
Kazu: Looks like...
Kazu: You've been putting the information I gave you to good use.
Abe: Nice pitching.
Miha: Ah.
Miha: Nice // Nice calling!

52
Abe: You never shook your head.
Abe: Did you want to?
Miha: I
Miha: I'm good...just pitching however you say.
Miha: [Because...]
Miha: [That's what's really best.]
Miha: Just doing what Abe-kun says...
Miha: Is what's important to me!

53
Mizu: Tajima, Tajima!
Taji: Huh?
Mizu: Can you do it for me?
Taji: Do what?
Mizu: You know. Like...
Mizu: Just a little...
Mizu: (amid laughter) (Wai-)
Mizu: (Cut it ou- // I'm already-)
Izumi: You should be all relaxed now!
Izumi: Alright, number eight! // You may be on the crappy end of the line, but all you've got to do is hit the ball!

54
Izumi: Got it? Just make sure to get on base!
Mizu: Ah. // Yeah!
Mizu: Thanks for that!
[Bottom of the third inning. Batting eighth for Nishiura high school,]
Mizu: Alright! // Let's do this!
[Left fielder, Mizutani-kun. // Uniform number seven.]
Izumi: Bijou, you jerks.
Izumi: Just you wait. // I'm gonna get a point off you for sure.

__________

Heheh, Abe asking Mihashi for his opinion. And poor Izumi, he gets so pushy when he’s upset with himself. (And poor Mizutani takes it so well. ^^;) Abe starting to actually seem less pleased about Mihashi blindly listening to him = Mmmm.

I love the look on Abe's face on page 31 just before realization hits. He's trying so hard. Though they're all good.