Third Base, the Last Hope
“Let's think long-term... Yeah, outfield is off the table. By the time you're ready to step up, those spots will already be locked down. So, forget outfield—now we look at the infield. How's the infield looking?”
The infield... I answered honestly.
“First, second, and third looked doable.”
“Right. Excluding pitcher and catcher, I figured you'd say that. First base is Kim Jin-woo's spot right now, isn't it? He was the regular in the second team. Solid guy. He got called up because we didn't have a first baseman.”
“So, who's the original starter?”
“Son Tae-ho.”
Ah... the home run hitter batting over .300 early in the season? The captain was originally a first baseman. But now he's the designated hitter...?
“Of course, Tae-ho's the DH now.”
“Yeah, that's where he's playing.”
“The guy who pushed aside the aging Tae-ho and took first is Hwang Do-yoon, who's in rehab with Min-seok. Do-yoon's also hitting .300 with mid-to-long power.”
Tsk... Okay, first base is out. .300 with mid-to-long balls... Tsk... that guy's seriously good...
“Then second base...”
“Second is a position you could handle. But there's been a shift at shortstop. Shortstop's a tough spot—good players are rare—but this team has a few too many.”
“Ah... well, with Kim Han-seong sunbae...”
“No. The one who got bumped is Kim Han-seong.”
“Huh? Then...”
“Edison. Our foreign hitter's the starting shortstop. A major leaguer at short. His defense is unreal. Does everything differently. Edison's about to start playing in the second team soon, so they'll sync up before long.”
Gulp...
“So for me...”
“One spot left, right? Yeah. Third base. That's the only position you can go for. And you're lucky you can even try because you can play multiple spots.”
Oh Tae-sik took another sip of his coffee.
“At third, the key is throws. It's the farthest from first, so you need accuracy over distance... and speed. You've got to use that shoulder. Got it?”
“...Yes, sir.”
“From now on, I'll put you in at third whenever you play. With the first-team starting shortstop and first baseman down here in the second team, work on your chemistry.”
The second-team game began. Today's opponent was the Hampyeong Phoenixes, the farm team of the Gwangju Phoenixes.
I was leading off today, slotted at third base.
Top of the first, our team's first at-bat. I stepped into the box, pulled my helmet down, and let out a long breath.
The pitcher's first offering was a 138 km/h four-seam fastball.
“Strike!”
I let it go. Second pitch, a four-seam hugging the body—I let that one pass too.
“Strike!”
Definitely... slow.
The next one came: a 125 km/h curve. I didn't hesitate. Swung hard.
Crack!
The ball smacked off the bat with a thick sound. It bounded high toward third and rolled away. The third baseman charged forward, but the big hop kept him from fielding it clean.
I was already sprinting full tilt. As my spikes kicked up dirt and I touched first, the umpire called it.
“Safe!”
Good start today.
But as I glanced toward the dugout, Oh Tae-sik flashed the sign right away.
Steal sign.
I took my lead. I replayed this morning's training in my head.
“Don't hesitate—throw your body. A few scrapes on the uniform are nothing. Find the perfect spot.”
“Yes, sir!”
Headfirst slide. When diving headfirst to the next bag, use your left hand; right hand for rightward bags. It's way faster than feet-first, so speedsters have no choice.
I'm still light on experience and haven't nailed the timing yet...
“Good, now you're doing it right. Widen that lead on steals, and your timing will sharpen up. The issue is... turning back safely.”
Recalling that, I gradually widened my lead. My toes edged farther from first.
The pitcher glanced my way, aware, then looked away. Second-team game, after all. Figured he wouldn't be too intense?
Underestimating me?
But that lapse was my chance. I locked on the pitcher's shoulder.
The instant his left foot pivoted toward home, my body reacted on instinct.
Now!
I exploded off the dirt. The catcher snatched the pitch and fired to second in a panic.
But I was already there. No need for a slide—braked with both feet and glided in standing.
“Safe!”
The ump's hands spread wide.
Perfect timing. Catcher’s throw too late for a standing steal...
“This... feels easy?”
The game ended, and players trickled out of the locker room one by one. But Oh Tae-sik lingered in the dugout. He thought for a moment, then called out.
“Do-yoon.”
Hwang Do-yoon, casually packing up in the locker room, turned.
“Yes, Coach?”
“What do you think?”
“About what?”
“Infield defense.”
“...”
Hwang Do-yoon paused, then spat it out.
“What... it's a mess.”
Oh Tae-sik's lip curled slightly.
“Figured as much.”
“Even the import Edison's not fully fit—plays too safe. Slow reactions, flinches at balls coming in. Honestly, no clue how long they can hold it together like that.”
The coach nodded faintly.
“Hm...”
“The one saving grace is Kim Hu-seong, or it'd be total despair.”
“Kim Hu-seong?”
“Yeah. You're having him play third to push him to the first team, right?”
“You lazy bum know everything, huh?”
“Not lazy—optimizing efficiency.”
Oh Tae-sik turned to gaze at the outfield. A few players were still practicing, Kim Hu-seong among them. He was taking fungoes, firing each one precisely.
“What's good about him?”
Hwang Do-yoon answered immediately.
“Always has been, but his infield plays are clean. No wasted motion in his stance. Glove-to-throw is super stable. Rookies rush and spray throws everywhere—this kid doesn't.”
The coach raised an eyebrow.
“Hm.”
“Throw accuracy stands out. Even under pressure, the ball comes straight.”
“Good enough for first team?”
“Defense-wise... yeah.”
Oh Tae-sik crossed his arms, deep in thought. Hwang Do-yoon hesitated, then added,
“Just a bit slow on velocity. Ball speed off the throw... needs more zip to turn playable balls into outs. But maybe that's asking too much.”
“Accuracy beats speed. Especially at third.”
“Agreed.”
“Get back to first team quick and pass this along. Before it's too late.”
“Hm... wouldn't it be faster if you became first-team coach and brought him up?”
“Tough sell.”
“Not really... team's in last place...”
“...”
After the game and cooldown training, my body felt heavy. I stripped off my sweat-soaked uniform and hit the showers. Hot water cascading over my shoulders eased the tension a bit.
Legs were drained from all-day running, sliding, and throwing. Barely dried off, changed into training gear, and headed to the cafeteria when—
“Kim Hu-seong!”
Familiar voice. I looked up—Gu Min-seok sunbae stood at the dorm entrance.
“Yes? What's up?”
“You got a visitor?”
Huh? Who?
I froze. “Me? No one's coming...”
Trailing him with a puzzled look, a woman on the bench by the cafeteria entrance looked up. Our eyes met.
Seo Ha-yoon.
No way... why's she here?
Seo Ha-yoon spoke cautiously.
“Hu-seong... sorry. I had no idea it'd mean getting demoted to second team like this.”
I gave a wry smile.
“It's fine. No big deal.”
“Got a minute? Just wanna talk quick.”
Gu Min-seok eyed us both with a mischievous grin.
“Ooh, you two close or what? Gotta revise my take on that rumor again?”
“No, it's not like that.”
I waved it off frantically. “Already got enough headaches from the mess blowing up.”
“Really?”
Gu Min-seok chuckled and clapped my shoulder.
“Then introduce me next time? Kidding. Good luck. She seems into you?”
“No, totally not.”
I protested, but he was already heading to the cafeteria. I stood awkwardly, then looked at Seo Ha-yoon.
Her face flushed, fidgeting and fixing her hair.
...Huh?