Three consecutive Balls, each thrown in a different direction.
"Really playing with skill!"
For a moment, even Sawamura started to doubt if he had made a mistake.
Perhaps the American team was especially sensible, and the player named Benjamin wasn't as strong-willed as he thought.
But based on his understanding of American players' typical nature, they would never give up easily.
For the overall benefit of the team, sometimes players don't mind ignoring their personal thoughts—this is not new in East Asian teams.
The three regions in East Asia that play baseball the best are Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.
All of these places advocate for this style of baseball.
However, American players find it difficult to accept these kinds of rules.
They value individual freedom, and not just the players, but their entire societal outlook is built on freedom.
This is one of the reasons why East Asian teams initially had the upper hand and why smaller American teams weren't particularly famous.
When an individual player's strength isn't very outstanding, it's often tactics and teamwork that determine the outcome of the game.
Influenced by Eastern culture, the tactical level of East Asian countries is pretty good. Especially when it comes to execution, even if America has good tactics, they struggles to implement them in elementary and middle schools.
Unlike in East Asia, where even elementary school students, under the guidance of coaches, can do it with style.
Of course, like anything, there are pros and cons.
While America's tactical abilities may be lacking, their players are exceptionally strong in individual skills.
This is because many American players developed their skills based on passion, and in this case, they view baseball as their life's joy.
They don't find baseball boring.
In order to play well, they train hard and actively explore various possibilities.
Once they reach high school, college, or even the professional league, the players who make it to professional baseball are all incredibly unique. Their individual strength is far superior to that of other countries' players.
Just look at the diverse pool of players in Major League Baseball, and you can almost get the idea.
Asia has very few players, and even fewer who perform well.
Why is Ichiro Suzuki so famous? Why has he even become a legendary figure?
It's not just because of his success in Major League Baseball, but because he is Asian.
As an Asian, achieving such an incredible feat is exactly why Ichiro is regarded as a legend.
American players, on the other hand, don't have their behaviors directed as much.
In other words, American coaches find it difficult to issue a Walk order spontaneously.
Should they issue a Walk?
That mainly depends on the players' and teammates' judgment.
A proud pitcher like Benjamin could never make such an evasive move, right?
Earlier, Sawamura didn't believe Benjamin would throw a Walk pitch.
But now, he had to believe it.
Because things were developing in that direction.
Could this guy really be thinking like that?
Sawamura also started to have doubts in his mind.
If Benjamin really had such an idea, then Sawamura would have to consider a backup plan.
But looking at his eyes, it didn't seem like it!
His eyes were like a hungry wolf, ready to pounce on its prey at any moment.
Sawamura found it hard to believe that someone with such an intense gaze was thinking about avoiding the challenge.
But three Balls did indeed happen.
Now, what exactly was Benjamin planning to do?
Sawamura really couldn't judge.
Fortunately, in such a magical situation, Sawamura didn't need to make a judgment.
If Benjamin kept missing the strike zone, no matter how much Sawamura wanted to, it wouldn't help.
He would just be Walked.
No matter how unwilling or resentful he felt inside.
This wasn't something he could decide; it depended on the opponent's choice.
If the opponent could throw the ball into the strike zone, then the situation would be solved.
That would be even better!
With this magical state helping him, Sawamura was absolutely confident that he could hit the baseball far away.
'Come on, let me see what your choice will be.'
In the Batter's Box, Sawamura stood ready, preparing to hit the ball as soon as the baseball came toward him.
Behind the plate,
The American catcher took a deep breath.
The setup was already done; they had widened their field of vision to the maximum.
To put it simply, they had built the platform, and now they were just waiting for the show to begin.
Whether this show would be performed well or not mainly depended on Benjamin's pitch.
On the pitcher's mound, Benjamin could feel his teammate's will.
His partner's attitude was clear—he wanted him to throw the ball, and throw it hard.
During this process, there could be no hesitation.
The action must be clean and swift, securing a Strike before the opponent could react.
Then, the next pitch would decide the outcome.
After throwing three Balls, Sawamura's heart must have wavered significantly.
With a strike count in the mix, his chances of swinging directly were extremely slim.
Only when they secure another strike count will Sawamura be ready to choose the pitch he wants to hit.
But by then, their setup would already be complete.
Sawamura wouldn't be able to react in time.
We will have a chance, we definitely have a chance!
The catcher forcibly transmitted his will to the pitcher.
'Throw the ball!'
'You must throw the ball well!'
'No more dragging it out, now is the time.'
Inspired by this, Benjamin lifted his foot high and stomped forward.
In that instant, he used every bit of strength he had.
All the weight of his body was pressed on his two fingers, which were gripping the ball.
He threw it with all his might.
Just as the baseball was about to leave his hand, a flash of memory appeared in Benjamin's mind.
It was the image of Sawamura smashing his pitches out of the park during their previous encounters.
Benjamin had long wanted to face this big monster directly. Ever since he knew Sawamura had a pitching duel against Allen, it had been Benjamin's dream.
Standing on the pitcher's mound, fiercely teaching Sawamura a lesson.
But things didn't go as planned.
During their encounters, Benjamin suffered a heavy loss. When his pitching skills were still underdeveloped, he had been bullied.
His fastball wasn't fast, and his unique style wasn't prominent.
Although he became a pitcher for his team early on and was entrusted with pitching duties,
His mediocre performance didn't help his case.
In America, if you have real talent, you will get attention and support.
But if you didn't, it will be completely disregarded.
Benjamin had a healthy mindset. He didn't let this disregard distort his mentality. On the contrary, he became more determined, working hard to improve his skills. Now, even American white players no longer dared to look down on him.
At this point, he had become a representative of America, having reached a peak in his career.
Since his skills had matured, Benjamin had never been disregarded again. However, he had suffered two defeats, with two home runs hit off his pitches. Unknowingly, this had left a deep psychological scar on him.
…