Chapter 57

Tingtingtangtang -1-

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“Hey! You bastards!”

“Who the hell paid to come and see this crap!”

“Park Eun-soo, you son of a bitch!”

“My nephew would be better than you!”

“Hey, you deer bastard!”

“Gan-woo, get out!”

“Hey, Kim Sung-hoon, do you want to die!”

“Roh Kyung-woo, show your ass!”

“Yankee kid, go home!”

“Dol Seok-gyu, retire!”

The next night, the atmosphere was 180 degrees different from what the Oceans fans had hoped wouldn't be a dream just the day before.

“Wow, the atmosphere is really 360 degrees different from yesterday.”

“360 degrees means you're back to where you started.”

“What? Don't joke around. 360 degrees obviously means the complete opposite.”

“...”

“Kang Geon-woo, you really have no talent for math.”

“...”

“Well, if someone were perfect, they'd have no human touch. Hey, don't worry. Even if you can't do math, you'll still be able to make a living.”

Roh Kyung-woo didn't make any big mistakes today. He just had a hitless game. At first, he was a bit flustered or scared, but now he has a strong mental fortitude and doesn't really care anymore.

Anyway, Min Seung-gi, satisfied with the winning series, boarded the bus heading to Daejeon for the next game. He then sent messages to the other two ace pitchers of the Korean national team, Kim Gwon-jong and Park Yong-jae.

-Why don't we make KBO history together?

-If you become a free agent, come to the Oceans.

If Jung Yoo-ri heard this, or any Oceans fan for that matter, they would go crazy.

In Korean baseball, it's often said that baseball is a pitcher's game. You can see this from the fact that teams often surge to the top when they pick good foreign pitchers. No matter how solid your team is, if you don't pick good foreign pitchers, it's not easy.

But what if Min Seung-gi, Kim Gwon-jong, and Park Yong-jae were on the same team?

Of course, the possibility of this happening is very low, but with two foreign pitchers and the top three domestic starting pitchers, a five-man rotation could be achieved.

Min Seung-gi was brimming with ambition. In this three-game series, the Oceans' lineup had some holes, but it wasn't bad. Especially, the hitters from the second to the fourth spots were excellent. The fifth and sixth hitters could also be useful, and he saw potential for growth in the seventh and eighth hitters.

However, Kim Gwon-jong and Park Yong-jae poured cold water on his ambitious plans.

-Vikings Kim Gwon-jong: I'm going to the majors.

-Meteors Park Yong-jae: I'll be the ace, and you can be the closer.

-Meteors Park Yong-jae: But the Oceans...

-Meteors Park Yong-jae: How can you play for a team that beats people with chicken legs?

#

The Oceans finished their three-game series against the Diamonds and set off on their road trip. Their first opponent was the Thunderbirds, whom they had swept at the beginning of the season.

It started raining nationwide that morning.

As the start time approached, other games were being canceled one by one. Among the Oceans players who had traveled a long distance after a midweek game, this opinion emerged.

“Why don't we make a hole in the dome during batting practice? Then this game will be canceled due to rain, and we can rest.”

It had been a little over a month since the season started. Plus, today was Children's Day.

The KBO had to cancel many events planned for Children's Day, and baseball fans nationwide would be watching this game, the only one not canceled.

“How many times do we need to hit it to make a hole?”

While rest is important, it could also be a bit stressful on such a day.

The team captain, Yang Dae-geun, told the players,

“If you make an error today... you know what will happen, right?”

Even if you're a star player, if you make a mistake during this game, you'll be ridiculed by countless baseball fans watching. You'll be remembered as the one who destroyed children's dreams and hopes. It might even be called something like "2028 Oceans Children's Day Special."

“Don't overdo it.”

Bae Young-han chuckled.

On Children's Day, bizarre errors often occur, which is why players are a bit wary of this day. There are also some restrictions on their usual actions.

Spitting once could make you a trash can for destroying children's innocence.

Stepping into the batter's box and seeing a ball over 140 km/h is not a common occurrence. If it hits your head, you could die. If you get excited and protest when a ball comes at your head, the commentator will surely say,

“Oh, the children are watching! It's not allowed, our players! Professional players who are supposed to plant dreams and hopes are doing this? It's a lack of professional awareness!”

Especially, Yi Si-wook had many bad memories on Children's Day.

He may look old, but he's still a young player. The common evaluation is that he has potential that coaches can't ignore, even if his performance isn't immediately good.

“Brother Dae-geun.”

“What is it?”

“Can you play first base for one day?”

He was even asking for this.

Baseball players are sensitive to jinxes. For Yi Si-wook, May 5th, Children's Day, was a jinx itself.

During batting practice, Yi Si-wook seriously aimed at the ceiling of Gocheok Dome. He swung high, an uppercut.

“Ah, the ceiling is harder than I thought.”

Seeing his genuinely disappointed look, Bae Young-han laughed so hard he almost bent over.

“Hey, are you serious? You want to make a hole there?”

“Brother, I feel like retiring every time it's May 5th...”

“Pretend to get hurt when the teams switch.”

“Oh! That's a good idea!”

But he was immediately stopped by Yang Dae-geun.

“Don't even think about it.”

“Why! I've never hit a single in my life on Children's Day! Wouldn't it be better without me!”

“Si-wook.”

“Yes.”

“If you get injured and have to be replaced...”

“Brother, you can play first base!”

“Your fall will be a meme that will live on the internet forever.”

“Wow! I didn't think of that!”

“Why didn't you?”

“Yeah, I must have dropped my sugar. I need to eat a chocolate pie and practice.”

“Oh, you brat.”

#

[Live) Busan Oceans 0 : 0 Seoul Thunderbirds.]

-Game preparation

Today, with the other four games canceled, people were flooding into the broadcast room for the Oceans vs. Thunderbirds game.

-Is this a special episode of Kollions Entertainment for Children's Day?

-Is this the place for laughter?

-🔥Laughter loaded

-Privately, I'm really looking forward to Yi Si-wook.

-Yi Si-wook 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Children's Day limited all-time number one 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

-A few years ago, didn't that kid fall backward and hit his head on the ground?

-That was lucky; last year, he hit a runner in the back with a throw and gave away an unnecessary run.

-😂😂😂Kollions fans say the kids will ruin the game.

Most people were expecting the Oceans to mess up.

Of course, Oceans fans were different.

-You bastards, read the league standings first.

-Loser bastards 😂😂😂

-Are you ignoring the 1st place team?

-King Geon-woo will shatter the kids' innocence today.

Amidst many expectations, the game began.

-But why is Hoon starting today?

-Hoon 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Children's Day fireworks 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

-Hoon, just leave him and go on the road 😭😭😭

-Leave Hoon at Sajik 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

The matchup was Oceans' Hoon against Thunderbirds' Edward Martin.

Edward Martin, a fastball pitcher with a top speed of around 150 km/h, was making his sixth start of the season.

His record in the last five games was 2 wins, 2 losses, and an ERA of 3.71.

Born in 2001, the relatively young Edward Martin, 28 in Korean age, was a pitcher who either struck out batters or walked them.

He relied on the speed of his four-seam fastball but had some control issues.

-Just watch, he'll throw fastballs and get hammered by the Oceans batters.

-He'll get hammered by Min Seung-gi, who throws fastballs.

The first batter, Hwang Seok-gyu, struck out.

-Look at Seok-gyu's big swing 😂😂😂

-It feels good; it looks like a home run today.

The second batter, Bae Young-han, walked.

-He didn't swing once.

-Is Martin's control off today?

-What the hell, how did they get a pitcher with such poor control?

And then, the third batter, Kang Geon-woo.

The chat exploded.

-Geon-woo!!!!

-Childhood shattering ㄱㄱㄱㄱㄱㄱㄱㄱ

-Geon-woo, Yoo-ri is asking for a home run!!!!

-God Geon-woo home run (Oceans fan)

-I'm going to Yoo-ri's game today; this is a guaranteed home run.

-Our sister is watching on TV right now?

-What are you doing? Quickly make ramen for the streamer.

#

Bringing in a fireballer with control issues means they must have seen his strengths despite his weaknesses.

I could throw 160 km/h, but I didn't always throw at that speed.

I threw in the low 150s to improve my control.

Actually, when I was young, I just liked throwing fast balls.

But in the majors, there are so many monsters that even at my top speed, they would often hit it.

So, I had to focus on control as well.

“Ball!”

The first pitch came in quite high.

On a rainy day, the dome environment changes a bit.

The pitcher might struggle in the early innings. Temperature, humidity, and pressure can confuse the pitcher. This applies to our pitcher as well.

For that reason, I want to hit a lot early on.

Some of our players are a bit nervous, and our team tends to ignite and burn brightly when we catch fire.

I'll aim a bit wider and swing aggressively if it's close.

Edward Martin prepared to throw his second pitch.

The pitcher brought his hands together in front of his chest, nodded, took a deep breath, and took a strong stride.

It was high, but lower than the last one.

I twisted my shoulders and swung hard.

*Crack*!

It felt like a strong hit, but it didn't have the right trajectory.

The ball flew too high.

Wait.

What happens if it hits the ceiling?

The high-flying ball hit the ceiling. It hit inside the yellow line. If it had hit beyond that point, it would have been a home run.

Bae Young-han hesitated and didn't run to second base, and the Thunderbirds' fielders looked up at the ceiling with their necks craned.

And the ball...

“Ball dead!”

...didn't come down.

The umpire awarded me and Bae Young-han a two-base advance.

So, it was a ground rule double, recognized as a double.

It's a bit of an unusual situation, but...

It's not bad. A home run would have been better, though.

The next batter, senior Yang Dae-geun, walked.

He had been hitting more aggressively recently, but it wasn't because he was holding back. The Thunderbirds' bench had signaled for an intentional walk.

It might have been a smart choice. Senior Dae-geun is the slowest runner on our team, and Wolfpack and Yi Si-wook often hit into double plays.

Wolfpack, perhaps hurt by the intentional walk, or perhaps trying to show off, swung his bat more powerfully than usual.

The result was...

“Strike! Out!”

Well... it happens. At least it wasn't a double play.

Wolfpack, frustrated, broke his bat on his leg. Then, senior Yi Si-wook, looking nervous, stepped into the batter's box.

Did he eat a chocolate pie?

He looks like he dropped his sugar.

Even from second base, I could see him take a big sigh.

His strength is his strong mental fortitude and his ability to maintain his batting style, but with the Children's Day jinx, who knows what will happen.

Before the pitch, before the catcher and pitcher exchanged signals,

I made eye contact with senior Yi Si-wook, pointed at the dome ceiling, and mimed a swing.

During batting practice, he hit the ceiling a few times, so I signed for him to aim there.

He nodded solemnly and swung hard at Edward Martin's first curveball.

It was a pitch that was a bit inside.

With the power of his natural strength, Yi Si-wook swung hard.

*Crack*!

The Thunderbirds' fielders, like when I hit the ball earlier, looked up at the ceiling.

And Yi Si-wook's hit...

*Crack*!

...hit a speaker on the dome ceiling.

And it was a speaker beyond the yellow line.

“Wowwwwwwwww!”

“Yi Si-wook! Yi Si-wook! Yi Si-wook!”

Despite being in Seoul, the cheers of the Oceans' traveling fans echoed loudly in the dome.

If a ball hits the ceiling or the structure beyond the yellow line, it's a home run. Yi Si-wook, who hit a grand slam, stepped on home plate and cruelly shouted,

“Hey, kids! On Children's Day, don't bother your dad; show him some respect! Understand? Watch King Choco Si-wook's grand slam and get your act together!”

He was so happy that he danced and even shed a tear in front of the dugout.

“Wow... damn... Geon-woo... thank you...”

“It's because you hit it well, senior.”

“But it's thanks to your hint...”

“Let's go for back-to-back home runs.”

“No, we can't...”

“Huh?”

“If we hit it again and make a hole in the ceiling, the game will be canceled due to rain, and my home run will be gone... No, we can't...”

#

[Live) Busan Oceans 4 : 0 Seoul Thunderbirds.]

-6th batter Yi Si-wook.

-Recognized home run (4-run home run)

-orzorzorzorz God No-ru orzorzorzorz

-??? Is this the funniest hidden camera ever????

-King No-ru's first hit on Children's Day orzorzorzorzorzorzorz

-Childhood destroyer God No-ru orzorzorzorzorzorzorz

-Isn't this ridiculous?

-Do they use softballs on Children's Day? How did he hit the dome ceiling twice in one inning?

-It makes sense; KBO is losing fans, so they only use softballs in Kollions games, right?

-Yeah, I thought so. Kang Geon-woo hit a home run like crazy.

-What nonsense is this?

-What a ridiculous nitpick.

-If the Thunderbirds start hitting home runs, we should really be suspicious.

-You bastards, our pitcher today is Hoon.

-Hoon's pitches are so slow, even a bunt will go over the infield.

-King Lee's God Heart activated.

-Isn't it suspicious that the ball flew so high?

-Our No-ru is just bad at baseball, but he's really strong!

-But it's surprising that it's his first hit on Children's Day 😂😂

-Can't you see Yi Si-wook's eyes getting red? The softballs are crossing the line.

-But I've been suspicious for a while.

-To me, it's 100% softballs or a doctored bat. Look at Kang Geon-woo's physique. How is that a home run hitter's body?

-I've seen Kang Geon-woo up close; he's really muscular.

-Right, being a pig doesn't make you a good home run hitter.

-Did you just call Yang Dae-geun a pig?

-Why are you bringing up Dae-geun?

-😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Kollions bastards are fighting among themselves.