Slump Deepens: 26 Hitless At-Bats
The next three-game series after the slump hit was against the Jamsil Falcons. Jamsil had always been a pitcher-friendly park. But for me, with infield singles making up over 90% of my hits, it wasn't a huge issue. So I steeled myself and headed into the next game. I'd gone hitless in the previous one, but hey, everyone has an off day. I believed it'd turn around soon.
Strike three! Bottom of the ninth! Lee Tae-sin strikes out the final batter to seal the win! The Gocheok Turkeys take the winning series from the Jamsil Falcons! They're now eyeing seventh place.
The team won the game. But my results were dismal. Right from the first game, I went 0-for-6 again. I kept fouling off pitches—one pitcher after another wore frustrated looks as I racked up six or seven fouls per at-bat. Yet I couldn't deliver that clutch hit. And things didn't improve in the second game or the third. 0-for-6, 0-for-5 every time. By the end of the series, the scorecard read 0-for-20. Combined with the previous games, it was a brutal 0-for-26.
I sat quietly in one corner of the dugout, head bowed. We'd won, but I wasn't thrilled. The seniors reassured me: "You're doing your job," "You're helping the team." But deep down, the darkness was spreading. A hitter not getting hits... no matter what, that stung.
Hoo... Is this what they call a slump?
That's when Captain Son Tae-ho approached. He sat beside me, silent for a moment, then spoke plainly.
"Kim Hu-seong, didn't I tell you to ease up on training? You're worn out, man."
"..."
"Don't push yourself so hard. Take it easy, rest up. Tomorrow's Monday—go do something fun, switch your mood. I already said you can skip training."
There was no scolding or pressure in Son Tae-ho's words. Just advice from a senior.
"Got it, thanks."
I nodded briefly. But my mind was a tangle of emotions.
Jeong Su-a, the team manager, watched the game from her office. Her expression was grim.
Jeong Su-a sighed as Kim Hu-seong grounded out in his next at-bat, extending it to 0-for-26. As someone who'd come to understand baseball well, she knew how bad that stat was.
Should I have suggested a break back then? Did I miss the timing by sticking to principles?
Suddenly, Gu Min-seok's unexpected proposal came to mind.
He must've seen this coming and asked. Why else would a player beg 'please keep me from extra training'?
As she prepared to leave, Jeong Su-a paused. She mentally replayed the situation a few times, then made up her mind and called Seo Ha-yoon.
"Yeah, Manager? What's up?"
Seo Ha-yoon answered, a bit tense—not knowing why, but Jeong Su-a usually texted, not called.
Jeong Su-a chose her words carefully. "This might sound weird, but... tomorrow's Monday. If you're free, wanna hang out with Kim Hu-seong a bit?"
"Whaaat?!"
Seo Ha-yoon's flustered voice burst out—it was totally out of left field.
Jeong Su-a waved her hands emphatically, even though unseen. "It's... complicated, but someone indirectly asked for help with him. It came from the player's side."
"From the player? Hu-seong?"
"No, a senior worried he's not resting enough."
"Ohhh..."
Jeong Su-a explained slowly, and Seo Ha-yoon seemed to get it.
"But you're key staff too. I flat-out refused last time because of that."
"Ah... right."
"His slump's dragging on, though—it's bugging me. Probably why they asked you specifically."
"Yeah... makes sense?"
"Exactly. You two aren't that close, right?"
"Ah! Like I said before, not yet. We're just close friends—same age."
"Hmm? 'Not yet' catches my ear."
"..."
Silence hung over the line.
"A-anyway! I just hang with Hu-seong Monday, right?" Seo Ha-yoon pivoted desperately.
"Basically, keep him from extra training—watch him. Got it? Nothing weird."
"Yes yes! I can do it!"
Her voice brimmed with mission-ready enthusiasm. Jeong Su-a wondered if this was right but added one more plea.
"Don't make a scene where people recognize you. Bad rumors could hurt. I'm not worried about him—it's you, Ha-yoon. Okay?"
"Got it, sis~"
Seo Ha-yoon pondered, then...
"So... somewhere secluded?"
"You'll manage! Just make him rest—that's the point."
Jeong Su-a hung up, face etched with worry.
I dragged myself home in a funk. Even closing the car door and riding the elevator up, the gloom clung. Haa, damn it. National team stress was better than this—hits tied straight to stats, plummeting visibly. My batting average, the flashiest number, had tanked from near .300 to mid .200s. No base-reaching meant no steals, no runs. Watching the numbers drop clawed at my heart. Records made it impossible to ignore my failures.
My body's state was near rock bottom too. Four straight days of training and games in the heat, without a proper sip of beverage. Damn this drink system based on hits... I couldn't even pour from the bottle cap. Defense at short, then fouling endlessly in the box—my body drained faster.
Home, bag down, TV on autopilot. Sports channel jumped straight to me.
"At this rate, dropping him to ninth is necessary for team balance. No choice."
My grip tightened on the remote. Figures... Outsiders see it clearly. But hearing it stung worse. Hoo... I sighed deeply. Head a mess, thoughts spiraling. Turkeys highlights vs. Falcons played, but I saw nothing.
Ugh... Times like this...
I killed the TV, stood, and headed to the park. Late hour, but middle-aged folks exercised lightly, some ran. Summer crowds felt bigger, but nowhere calmed me like this.
Pat-pat... Small, familiar footsteps approached.
This step... Nah?
"Well, if it isn't Hu-seong—the guy who said he hasn't met anyone yet? Got someone you wanna see now?"
...Yup, Kim Se-rin the cheerleader.
"Nah. Not really thinking of anyone right now."
My quiet reply narrowed her eyes.
"Oho~ Total low-pressure vibe. Busted for slumping, huh? You terrorized Pigeons fans every game..."
No reaction from me—she looked flustered.
"B-but... I heard you were national team caliber recently."
"..."
Ah... damn national team talk. I'm not that level...
I don't know my face then, but...
"Eh...? Hu-seong."
Kim Se-rin stared, suddenly super flustered.
"You... look wrecked right now...? Sorry."
She stepped close, gently stroking both my hands. Small, soft touch.
"You okay?"
A bit comforting.
"Not okay... No hits today either... No hits, no steals... no runs..."
I mumbled softly.
"Yeah, yeah. There there."
She soothed like a mom. Suddenly, pent-up frustration burst out.
"Everyone says I'm doing fine... but average keeps dropping... They hyped me as national team material before... I'm not... Hearing it nonstop hurts... Already struggling, and today too..."
Then I snapped to—realizing my state.Ah... pathetic. Like this in front of a girl I like... Relief soured to self-loathing.
"I see. Must've been tough. Didn't realize."
"S-sorry... For showing this pathetic side."
She tilted her head.
"Pathetic? Nah—I like this side. Honest, cute."
Cute?
"Ah~ Learned something new. Love seeing you like this. Totally punchable face."
She smiled with her eyes.
...Punchable what?!