How to Manage Heat
I stood at first base, slowly scanning the opposition. My condition was definitely better. At this rate, it felt like stolen bases would go off without a hitch today. The sudden surge in form filled me with a natural confidence that made it seem like I could do anything.
Glancing at Michael on the mound, I thought he was manageable. An ordinary right-handed pitcher. His pickoff moves weren't that strong either.
So... I widened my lead a bit more than usual. I could see Michael glancing my way nervously, but even that didn't feel burdensome. I started timing it, scraping the dirt little by little. Watching the pitcher's motions closely, I snuck peeks at the catcher now and then. Just in case he gave a sign.
And then the pitcher threw.
Here we go!
Thwack!
Uh? I hit it!?
I'd been about to go for a straight steal, but Gu Min-seok's bat came out lightly, pushing the ball toward right field. I was already in motion. My start was a half-beat early, but as I ran and glanced at the ball, my instincts kicked in.
This is a hit.
That judgment erased any hesitation. I sprinted full tilt to third. It was a single, but I didn't let up on the speed.
As Kim Hu-seong charged toward third, Daegu Eagles' right fielder Kim Kwang-myeong rushed forward in a panic.
This one's gotta be a one-bounce...
The ball bounced once before settling into his glove.
But third's too far!
Confident in his arm, Kim Kwang-myeong fired straight to third.
Whoa?! He's way too fast!
Kim Kwang-myeong had thrown it cleanly, but he sensed he wouldn't get the runner.
Damn...
I strolled casually into third safely.
"Hoo..."
"You're on fire today, huh? Thought you'd slide in, but you had plenty of room."
The third base coach said to Kim Hu-seong.
"Yeah. Glad it worked out."
I caught my breath, waiting for the next play. My heart was pounding, but it brought more composure than anxiety.
The next batter, Kim Han-seong, stepped up. He swung aggressively at the first pitch.
Thwack!
The ball was pulled hard, rolling quickly into the infield. The moment I saw it was a grounder, I bolted for home.
"Damn!"
"Ah..."
I heard sighs—unfortunately from our first base dugout. The shortstop had fielded it cleanly.
Still, between that, I'd crossed home.
"Okay, nice!"
A few players in the dugout cheered as I came in. I high-fived them, caught my breath, and eyed the mound. Michael's expression had hardened since before. The leisure was gone, replaced by a calculating look.
Yeah, you got too cocky earlier.
Hoo... But suddenly, it hit hard...
Separate from my improved condition, the weather was the issue. Just a short time out on the field and back, and the heat clung like it had followed me in. Even resting in the dugout, the sweltering humidity was brutal. I headed straight to the fridge and grabbed a cold drink, pressing it to my forehead and head. Only then did my breathing ease a bit.
But the heat built up inside wouldn't dissipate easily. Unconsciously, I hung my head, panting heavily.
Then a familiar voice came from beside me. Gu Min-seok.
"Kim Hu-seong, you okay?"
He scanned my face and tilted his head.
"What? Heat got you? Why the death glare after killing it out there?"
"Uh... kinda. Felt great running, but this heat..."
"This side's always the worst. First base dugout's hotter too... That's why the home team takes third. Even here it's this bad..."
"How do you guys handle it?"
"You never asked how we survive summer?"
"Nah. Tried everything you told me—wet towel, cabbage sheets—but not sure."
Gu Min-seok scratched his neck at my words.
"That's it?"
"Yeah..."
He showed me a few more things.
"Here, neck cooler, cooling patches—buy 'em and use 'em. Not like back in the day..."
I quietly glanced at Son Tae-ho at the plate.
"Ah... Tae-ho hyung doesn't use this stuff, and he's the DH. You're the kid at short—use everything. Got it?"
"Yep. I'll buy 'em nice and quiet."
"Here."
Senior Gu Min-seok draped the neck cooler around me.
"Ooh..."
The coolness wrapped my neck, and it felt like the heat was venting out through it.
And in the top of the sixth, with one out and no one on, I stepped up again. Score was 1-1 tied. Michael was still on the mound. He looked a bit winded as innings piled up, but his face said he was psyching himself up that he could still handle it.
That guy again.
Michael recalled what the pitching coach had relayed from the dugout.
Manager's request. At least get their leadoff down before you exit next inning.
He'd said before that hitter fouled off too many pitches.
Bullpen would burn a pitcher just for him... Best to get him quick myself. Yeah, let's do it.
Michael thought of his go-to: overpower with fastballs. His style throughout baseball. It meshed well with catcher Kim Yong-seop calling for heat.
I had no intention of facing that head-on. The moment Michael went into set position, I'd decided. Plan was simple. With today's condition, surviving by contact over hacking mattered more—and now was the time.
As Michael's first pitch left his hand, I extended the bat. Bunt again. Toward third. But it died quick, forcing Michael to field it himself.
Michael sped up. He scooped it fast and fired to first. Textbook defense. Solid judgment, not late.
But I was already sprinting full out. I felt my foot hit the bag clearly, body leaning forward naturally. And sure enough, after my foot, the ball popped into the first baseman's mitt.
"Safe!"
The call was obvious. I'd beaten it.
Michael stared blankly at first for a moment.
Nice. Back at first, I took my lead and watched.
Damn... close. I'd timed Michael's motion for a steal, but this complicated it. New pitcher came in; next up Gu Min-seok battled but struck out. Now two outs, runner on first, third hitter Kim Han-seong up.
As Kim Han-seong entered the box, I refocused. New pitcher lefty—bad matchup for him. Steal tougher too. Catcher Kim Yong-seop was top-2 active in Korea, plenty savvy. Against a righty, maybe steal timing—but lefty? Better not.
But two outs, running was viable. From the pitcher's set, I was prepped to go. And as Kim Han-seong swung...
Thwack!
I heard the crack. He hit it!
I exploded off at contact. Felt my foot dig in sharp. No slowdown rounding second, took it wide. Breath ragged, but body light, surging ahead. Third base coach in view: keep going signal. Safe. I rounded third wide too.
Right fielder Kim Kwang-myeong scooped in outfield, relayed to second baseman Jo Seong-mun, who fired home. Still... got time. Catcher not set yet. Possible. Ignoring him, I dropped low, sliding for home.
Catcher moved at vision's edge. Sliiiiide—dirt covered my face and uniform, hand slapped plate first. Tag almost simultaneous, but call was done.
"Safe!"
Umpire's arms flew wide. Scoreboard flipped: 2-1.
"Yes!"
"Nice! Great job, Kim Hu-seong!"
Cheers erupted from our first base dugout. I rose slowly, breathing hard, helmet off.