Diamond Ace: Monster Slayer

Chapter 181 Low Angle Change Ball
Watanabe handed the organized "Nine-square grid" to Director Kataoka.

It records every change in the ball position and type of ball that Takagi makes.

Director Kataoka took a quick look and seemed to have an idea in his mind.

"Isashiki, call a timeout."

"Yes!" Isajiki Jun responded and looked at the referee: "Timeout."

"pause!"

After Jun Isajiki called for a timeout, he immediately ran back to the locker room.

Director Kataoka also found some clues in the table compiled by Watanabe.

"I didn't want you to yell. I don't have any tactics to arrange for this timeout. What I want to tell you is to watch the ball carefully before playing. This is the position where Takagi pitches. It's almost your favorite position, and also the position with the highest batting average."

"My favorite position?"

"Yes."

As he spoke, Director Kataoka placed the "Nine-square grid" that Watanabe had just arranged in front of Isashiki Jun and pointed to several positions on it.

"Look, these positions are all inside corners or high angles, and they are all within reach. He rarely shoots from the outside corners or low angles."

After saying all this, Director Kataoka patted Isashiki Jun on the shoulder.

Indeed, in the match against Zhou Hui, he only shot the ball from a low angle once.

Who makes him a changeup pitcher?

If the pitch has a large range of change, it can go out of the strike zone. If it is thrown at a low angle, then wouldn’t it look more obvious if it slides out of the strike zone?

In addition, the low angle makes it difficult to hit the ball, so the batter doesn't even want to swing.

Therefore, low angles were never within his consideration.

"Fifth batter, center fielder, Isashiki-san."

No one out, second base occupied.

"This hitter is swinging very aggressively. Try not to throw high balls."

Takeda was also afraid of Isajiki Jun's long hitting ability.

Throwing the ball to him from a high position is no different from giving him a free pass.

No need to use low balls to solve it.

Although Takagi's low-post changeup ball cannot be considered to be perfect, it is definitely a "conventional weapon".

"For a changeup pitcher, the biggest problem is his stamina. I don't believe there is a changeup pitcher who is not troubled by stamina issues."

Miyuki said while crossing his arms in the lounge.

This statement is correct.

Changing balls themselves are a physically demanding activity, and continuous shooting has a huge impact on physical strength.

Miyuki had seen breaking ball pitchers before, but Takagi was the first one who always threw breaking balls without mixing in straight balls.

"With continuous changeups and no straight balls as transitions, can Takagi really hold out until the end of the ninth inning?"

Sun Hye said from the audience.

As a graduate of Yokohama Kohoku, Shunhui was also worried when she saw the predicament of her own school.

"Don't worry, this kid isn't just any ordinary pitcher. He still has my style."

Shunhui rolled her eyes at Yamada.

"Do you dare to say that you can last until the fifth inning by throwing breaking balls all the time?"

After hearing what Shunhui said, Yamada stopped pretending and started scratching his head while laughing awkwardly.

"First pitch, low angle slider."

Takeda placed the glove at the bottom edge of the strike zone, which is also the edge of red center.

If you're not careful, it's a good thing if the baseball doesn't fall into the strike zone, because the worst thing you can do is for the baseball to bounce off the ground and fly, causing the catcher to miss the catch.

Takagi stretched out his short arms and pushed the baseball out.

Asians' height and arm span are proportional, and Takagi is no exception.

He is small in stature, so his arm span is naturally short.

"Whoosh!"

The baseball whizzed out, brushed the ground and flew into Takeda's glove.

"Snapped!"

After gliding at an extremely low altitude, the baseball changed and was unable to get into the strike zone. It fell to the ground, leaving a small hole in the ground near the batter's zone.

It’s just that this hole is not too big.

"Bad ball."

Takeda quickly picked up the baseball and threw it back. Although the angle was tricky, it was indeed difficult for him to catch it.

Moreover, in a baseball game, the most important thing for a pitcher is to throw the ball into the strike zone.

No matter how tricky your pitch is, you will still walk the batter after four balls.

"There's no other way. Let's do a low-angle second seam."

With that, Takeda placed his gloves low to the outside corner.

"Whoosh!"

"Still at this low angle?"

Isajiki Jun was confused.

According to the data, shouldn't he prefer to shoot the ball into the inside corner?
Every time the baseball flew over, it basically stayed close to the ground, and his ability to hit the inside corner ball was not visible at all.

Which normal player would shoot an inside corner kick towards Seidou High School?
Isn't that seeking death?

"Qiang!"

Seeing that the baseball was still in the strike zone, Isajiki Jun didn't care and just swung the bat.

But this time it wasn't picked up.

"First baseman!"

Arima caught the baseball with one step, then ran back to first base and blocked Isashiki Jun.

"Out!"

The umpire at first base raised his hand to make the call.

"Sixth batter, third baseman, Masuko-san."

"It's really strange that a single stitch could cause Ah Chun to be in such a state."

Miyuki didn't know how Takagi was so good, but he knew that Takagi was definitely an extraordinary pitcher.

While he is on the court, it may be difficult for Qingdao High School to continue scoring.

"It will be your turn to bat this inning anyway, so go get ready."

"Yes."

After hearing what Coach Kataoka said, Miyuki stopped commenting and walked to the batter's box with his bat.

"This person can't be more difficult than Furuya, right?"

The reason why Fōgiya Xiao is difficult to deal with is because of his terrifying historical-level talent.

What about Takagi?

There are neither static nor dynamic talents.

The only thing that exists is a variety of change-ups.

This is a problem that is difficult for Qingdao High School to solve.

"Good ball! Batter out!"

Although Toru Masuko has conducted special practice on changing balls, the prerequisite is to hit the target.

For Takagi, dealing with Toru Masuko is as easy as dealing with an elementary school student.

He was struck out on a few obvious bad balls, which gave him confidence.

"Oh, I only remember teaching Masuko-senpai how to hit a breaking ball, but I forgot to teach him how to predict and guess and the pitcher's little tricks."

Zhou Hui said, covering his face.

"Still can't handle the changing ball?"

Director Kataoka pursed his lips.

This still doesn't work.

"The seventh batter, the catcher, Miyuki-san."

After Miyuki came on the court, Takagi finally threw the first straight ball.

But as soon as the ball came up, it was hit away by Yuki.

"Qiang!"

The "savior" Fukuzawa appeared again, predicted the position of the baseball in advance, pounced on it, and before he stood up, he passed the ball to first base.

Because he was lying prone, the angle of the pitch was a bit off, but it still wasn't a problem for Arima.

"Snapped!"

"Out! Three outs! Attack and defense switch!"

……

(End of this chapter)