Setting the Table
Before the game started, I stood by the bench with my arms crossed, wearing a slightly dissatisfied expression. That's when Son Tae-ho hyung sidled up and scanned my face.
"What's with the face this time? Still unhappy about shortstop? You were solid in practice."
I slowly shook my head.
"Nah, it's not that. From what I've been hearing around, it feels like after losing yesterday, they wanna take it easy on these last two games. Especially the pitchers."
"The pitchers?"
Son Tae-ho hyung thought for a moment, then let out a small chuckle.
"Oh, that? The 'win-or-die bullpen wives' thing? Don't take it too hard. Could just be them wanting to test out the trade acquisitions."
But I couldn't nod along so easily.
"Still, I've felt this for a while—the pitchers get it too easy. They don't train any harder than us, and they were swapping them out constantly mid-to-early season looking for someone usable. Even now. If they do it again this time, it just doesn't make sense."
Son Tae-ho hyung listened without interrupting until I finished.
'Whoa... his resentment's gotten worse. Hu-seong's always been prickly about this stuff. First to vent about the pitchers...'After a brief silence, hyung let out a short sigh.
"Hoo... Hu-seong-ah, teams don't always run smoothly. The higher-ups have their reasons. Let's play along for now—if results don't come, the manager's the one in the hot seat."
"But still..."
"I'll bring it up once. For now, focus on the game."
...Hmmm... Can't argue with that much.
"Got it."
I nodded and turned my attention back to the game.
Meanwhile, as the game kicked off and the caster called out the lineup one by one, commentator Lee Seo-jin paused his checks and double-checked the roster.
"...And third baseman Hong Yu-chan at ninth rounds out the Gocheok Turkeys' starting lineup."
"Surprising. Kim Hu-seong at shortstop."
Lee Seo-jin's voice carried clear astonishment.
"With Edison out injured, I figured Kim Han-seong would slide to short and Hong Yu-chan to second. But the actual lineup went a different way."
The caster picked up cautiously.
"Did Kim Han-seong's throwing error yesterday factor into this lineup?"
Lee Seo-jin didn't commit but noted the realistic angle.
"That's probably part of it. Plus, Kim Hu-seong's third-base defense yesterday was sharp. Manager Kim Young-ho might want to test that glove at short."
After catching his breath, Lee Seo-jin added one more thing.
"That said, this could bruise Kim Han-seong's pride a bit."
The caster nodded, then shifted gears slightly.
"Come to think of it, those two overlap a lot in position and style."
Lee Seo-jin gave a subtle smile and continued.
"Exactly. Kim Han-seong used to feel like Kim Hu-seong's upgrade: speedy, righty-lefty swing, infielder who could lead off. Near-perfect overlap."
But things had changed.
"As a rookie, the usual setup's ninth for Hu-seong, first for Han-seong."
"But Kim Hu-seong's gotten too good for ninth."
"Yeah. Demoted to Double-A once, came back growing nonstop. Now he's the hitter every pitcher dreads. His swing's tailored for leadoff, so Kim Han-seong had to shift to third. Not a bad spot—middle of the order."
Lee Seo-jin read the player's mind.
"Still, Kim Han-seong's mood's probably mixed. Batting third is fine, but shortstop's symbolic."
As the commentary flowed, cameras caught Kim Hu-seong ready for his first at-bat on the field.
Top of the first. As soon as I stepped in, I scanned the opponents naturally. My eyes went straight to the mound.
Today's starter: Cha Gyu-seok. Righty power pitcher. Main arsenal: four-seam fastball, sinker, cutter. All fastball variants—sinker and cutter late 140s, four-seam early 150s. Tough as nails.
And Cha Gyu-seok's gaze lingered on me especially.
He was keyed in hard from the jump. Makes sense. Top of the first is prime caution time.
With the pitcher noted, I swept the enemy infield from third. Looking for gaps. Then at first base—their first baseman's positioning screamed ordinary. No charge, no bunt alert.
They figured I'd keep cutting. Calculation done.
Thwiiiip.
First pitch. Aiming to grab the count against a two-strike watcher like me, a four-seam zoned for strikes flew in.
The second it left his hand, I laid the bat to it without hesitation. It hugged the line perfectly toward first.
Better angle than expected.
'Damn...'
Eulji Crows' first baseman Jang Min-ho jolted forward in surprise. He bent low to snag it as I streaked past.
The pitcher smartly held at first, twisting to give a clean throw lane, but...
Pop!
"Safe!"
- Kim Hu-seong was quick.
- Ah, too casual. Way too casual. First baseman playing behind the bag against Hu-seong with no runner? Tough to field a bunt that way.
- Fair to say Kim Hu-seong laid a beauty?
- Yep. Depending on placement, catcher or pitcher grabs it... but Hu-seong put it right where only first could field it.
Replay rolled, and Lee Seo-jin spoke like he'd cracked it.
- Aha... Watching close, you see how sharp he is—spotted first behind the bag and bunted right there. Against a hitter like Kim Hu-seong, fielders gotta play tight, not just the pitcher.
Plan executed. Safe at first, I caught my breath and plotted next.
First, catcher. Eulji Crows' Lee Ji-hoon. Bats sixth but solid offensive catcher. Cannon arm, blocks steals well.
But... the issue's on our side? Nah, more like all Eulji pitchers share it.
Subtle. The team that attempts the most steals has pitchers weak to it in their motion. But their staff performs overall, so maybe fair trade-off.
Sweet for me exploiting it.
I widened my lead on the bag, waiting for the tell.
Right on cue, pickoff motion showed—I bolted.
- Runner's going!
Ball smacked the mitt; Lee Ji-hoon yanked and fired quick, but I was already sliding.
"Safe!"
Good throw, late timing. Crows' catcher Lee Ji-hoon shook his head in regret. I popped up and eyed the pitcher carefully.
Nngh... hiding it well.
I felt the pitcher hyper-aware of me. Catcher too.
- Both Cha Gyu-seok and Lee Ji-hoon keep glancing at Kim Hu-seong. Word's out he's reading pitchers.
- How, if they're hiding?
- Finds the tic and attacks. Not confirmed yet, but Turkeys hit better with Hu-seong on second vs. others.
- Feels like something's there. Tough to spot when they're watching you... maybe need more at-bats?
But like this...
Sudden rustle behind me. Chill hit; I dashed back to second.
Shortstop confirmed on the bag as I dove in.
Ah... almost nabbed if casual.
That move. Wait.
I checked third baseman's spot and shortstop retreating.
If I widen the lead...?
Footsteps again behind.
Good—back!
Swoooosh.
Pitcher whirled and threw.
"Safe!"
Sliding safe; ump called it clean.
Ah... this has potential.
I widened again.
- Pickoff, but runner stretches the lead. Eyeing third steal?
- Er... Lee Seo-jin hesitated at the caster's call.
- Doesn't seem like it... Hmm? Crows' shortstop Go Ju-seok's a beta veteran. Steal third with him pickoffing nonstop? Knows the arm too...
Lee Seo-jin seemed baffled.
- Yeah, I wouldn't go. Hu-seong's sharp... but maybe scheming something.
I feigned third intent—third baseman crept in, shortstop glued behind me.
Perfect. Board set.
But will they bite?
I eyed Gu Min-seok at the plate.
'Crazy bastard.'
Gu Min-seok felt the goosebumps.
'Right, steal's suicide with that reaction. And why stare at me instead of pitcher?'
He adjusted his helmet, nodded subtly.
Shake, nod.
Pitcher figured no movement with picks, fired.
Thwiiiip.
'Just put decent contact. Easy.'
Crack!
- Batter connects! Rolls 5-6 hole. Short hustles but... one step late~!
Thudthudthud.
- Left fielder charges, fires home! But runner scores!
Top first devil Kim Hu-seong plates the run!
I crossed home, pointed skyward once more, and headed to the dugout.
- Whew... completely fooled by Kim Hu-seong. Sneaky play. Real crafty.