The second batter of the American team, after Sawamura pitched, pulled back his bat and then swung again.
"He used a fake swing!"
"What was the purpose of the fake swing?"
Of course, it was to cover for Francis, who was now sprinting wildly toward second base.
It seemed like the American players had gone mad, recklessly pushing forward regardless of the consequences.
Previously, the Japan team's players, when watching the American players, thought their individual skills were indeed very strong. But deep down, not a single person on the Japan team believed they would lose.
Though the American players were individually powerful, their teamwork appeared very immature.
It's not that the Japanese players were boasting; from their own feelings, facing such an opponent wasn't particularly difficult to handle.
A single stick breaks easily, but ten sticks bound together are strong.
The American players seemed to represent the first half of that saying. Even if the Japanese players were individually weaker, as long as they united as one, they would surely find their opponent's flaws and break through.
Almost every Japanese player thought this way. Even if they were trapped by their opponent's tricks during official games, and found themselves at a disadvantage.
But the vast majority of Japanese players firmly believed:
Ultimately, the victors would be themselves.
Compared to the Americans fighting individually, they were a whole. Even if single abilities were weaker, their overall team strength was definitely superior.
The Japanese players never imagined that under pressure, the American team's entire state would undergo a dramatic transformation.
They no longer fought separately but quickly united as a whole.
With the power of this unity, they began to resist the Japanese team.
Even the proud elites now humbled themselves and started learning cooperation.
This change really caught the Japanese players off guard.
Those involved were confused; many Japanese teammates couldn't even react properly.
From the dugout, those guys couldn't hold back anymore.
"Idiots, can't you read people?"
Narumiya scolded angrily.
Honestly, watching the dramatic nerve-wrecking changes on the field, Narumiya was losing patience.
In fact, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing for those in the dugout.
As indispensable core players, one thing they had to learn was to keep a cool head at all times and never get ejected.
If they couldn't even control their emotions, what big achievements could they make?
This was a valuable learning opportunity. Whether useful or not, if they could master this ability, it would greatly help their future.
As the baseball was hit, the situation immediately changed drastically.
Although the Japanese players tried hard to intercept the ball, they had clearly underestimated the American players' moves.
As a result, the Americans exploited the gap, and the ball really got through.
At the same time, Francis, who acted ahead, had already dashed past second base.
This guy was naturally fast, not stopping at second base but quickly running toward third.
Not only did they learn teamwork, but they also fully displayed their own strengths.
The American players were especially good at seizing opportunities.
Once an opportunity appeared, they would quickly zero in like flies.
That's the current situation; they didn't miss any Japanese player's negligence.
Whenever such negligence happened, they immediately chased after it.
From the dugout, Kuramochi, a former American expedition core player, knew the American style better than most.
His original impression was that American players liked to be straightforward.
They relied on their physical advantages to overwhelm opponents with honest strength.
As for tactics and techniques, though American players were trying, they hoped their tactics would become richer and stronger, but obviously, this was not something achievable overnight; no one could easily master it.
Especially since it wasn't really the American style, it was even harder for them to grasp.
As for Japanese players, although they were not on the same team, this style of baseball was almost ingrained in everyone's blood.
It was one of their most important training items during practice.
So, even in a temporarily assembled team, Japanese players could carry out this style.
American players also had teamwork, but it was rarely as impressive as teams whose style is centered around it.
But now, the situation has greatly changed.
The American players not only learned cooperation but also raised their tactical application to a level far beyond before.
This sudden change made Kuramochi doubt: Is this really the American team on the field?
Why does he find it so hard to believe?
For this point, Fujio, a senior reporter of Baseball Kingdom magazine, gave a clear and fair answer.
Why did the American players or their style change so much?
'Because they were forced to.'
If conditions allowed, American players would prefer to maintain their original style.
That style was familiar and liked by all players.
But now, that style clearly no longer works.
In this situation, whether they like it or not, American players must change.
Fight in another way to seek breakthroughs.
It's unrealistic to expect American players to develop a style within a short time that can confront the Japan team's mature style head-on.
Even if all American players were geniuses and their coach was not simple, it's impossible to achieve this.
Because style is hard to change, especially for a national team.
In such cases, the most time-saving and effort-saving method is to learn the opponent's strengths to compensate for one's own weaknesses.
Then combine their own characteristics to form a new combat style.
American players have now made this realization.
They put aside their pride, learned to assist, and learned to cooperate with teammates in offense.
Compared to learning a new style, simply lowering their ego is much easier.
What the American players are doing now is this.
They have put down their insistence and pride purely to win the game.
Thus, this scene appeared: America's successive successful hits.
What was originally not a good opportunity was forcibly turned into a good chance to score by American players.
The baseball passed the first line of defense and was intercepted by the outfielder at the second line.
After catching the ball, the outfielder prepared to throw directly to third base.
Francis's performance of crossing two bases at once was just too crazy.
The Japanese players instinctively felt that this pretty boy had to be taught a lesson.
They had to make him know that baseball was not such a simple game.
Just because he was good-looking didn't mean he could do whatever he wanted.
Just as the outfielder was about to throw, Sawamura suddenly spoke from the pitcher's mound.
"SECOND BASE!!!"
…