Steals Against the Pros and a Secret Revealed
There it was, Mun Kyung Stadium in Gyeongbuk Province. As soon as training wrapped up, Oh Tae-sik gathered all the players in front of the dugout.
"Alright, everyone here?"
The players, who had been murmuring, fell silent at his words. Oh Tae-sik folded the roster in his hand and continued.
"Next up is the Sangmu Hornets. As you know, they're a military team, full of guys who were starters in the first team or top prospects from various clubs. It's billed as a second-team game, but treat it like a first-team matchup."
That was why the Sangmu Hornets' second team had always posted strong records. But with fewer players dodging military service thanks to poor national team performances lately, their quality had skyrocketed, making them the dominant force in the second league.
"We can experiment and tweak strategies against other teams, but not this time. Against Sangmu, we go all out just to have a shot at winning."
The players listened quietly. Oh Tae-sik slowly scanned the group before speaking again.
"The guy who shines in this game? I'll see him as the closest to first-team material. I'll spot who can really hang, who can play their game under pressure. So get your heads straight for this one."
Then he unfolded the paper and began reading the lineup.
"Here's today's starting roster. Leadoff hitter, third baseman Kim Hu-seong..."
Phew... Giving me a shot, huh.
He called the rest from the two-hole onward. Everyone waited tensely for their names. When he finished, the manager added one last thing.
"Oh, and for players new to this park: Mun Kyung Stadium is huge. Jamsil-level outfield. Hitters, forget homers—aim for extra bases. Pitchers, don't fear the high fastball. Got it?"
"Yes, sir!"
Top of the first, I stepped into the box gripping my bat. The military base stadium felt stark and no-frills. Glancing at the mound, I spotted a familiar face: Daegu Eagles' righty Jeong Jae-hoon, still in service.
Military or not, his mechanics were flawless, lower body explosive, velocity nasty. This won't be easy.
I took a deep breath and tapped my helmet. Whiiip! Thwack!
"Strike."
First pitch: 149 km/h four-seam, right down the middle. I let it go to gauge his timing.
First-team level for sure. Nasty stuff...
Second pitch, I switched gears—faked a bunt. The infield charged in. I pulled back just as the low-breaking ball dove below the zone.
One and one. Their defense reacts sharp. Infield's on point... Way different from second-team movement. They're prepped before I even swing.
So I... Hmm...
Third was another four-seam. Thwack! Strike two. Count evened at 2-2. Time to hunt.
Got the fastball timing.
Fourth pitch whistled in—another heater. Ting! I poked it foul, jammed back. But my feel said this guy's hittable. Just gotta...
They'll think they've got my timing now. I recalculated in my head.
Fifth pitch. I lunged early, chopped low. Crack! Solid contact. The ball skipped hard off the dirt toward third.
Run!
Thud-thud-thud-thud! Third baseman charged, glove out, but it hung up longer than expected. He fired to first, but my foot beat the bag.
Smack! Thwack!
"Safe!"
The first-base coach fist-bumped me as I jogged back. "Nice, Kim Hu-seong."
Tap!
"Good, but next one's on you, right?"
Yeah, got it. Next up: steal. The coach tapped his temple with his index finger.
"Yes, sir."
Clear signal: Think while you run. Recent steal drills—spot pitcher tells. Even unknowns: leg lift angle and eye line give the timing.
I widened my lead, heel digging dirt, tracking his gaze. Jeong Jae-hoon, Sangmu's starter, went into his set. He twisted lightly, feigning a pickoff.
Hmph. Nice try.
Motion was soft, so I just leaned toward the bag. First pitch—he threw. I held. Fastball. Catcher snagged it and whipped to first.
Pitchout! Shit! That was the real play?
I dove instinctively. Dirt sprayed; my hand hit first.
"Safe!"
The ump spread his arms. Whew... Close. One more blink of complacency and I'd be toast. Feels like facing first-teamers... That pickoff...
First team, this is baseline. Tough...
But oddly, no fear—just conviction. They're pitching out 'cause I'm a threat, right? Nail the timing, and my wheels can carry me.
The more they hassle me, the more it shows they're hurting too. I widened again. He remounted, eyes now on the catcher.
Gotcha.Now!
Left leg up—I exploded. Thud-thud-thud-thud! Only my spikes echoed. Catcher's throw was quick, but late. I slid, fingertips tagging second.
Smack!
"Safe!"
I exhaled hard. Covering shortstop couldn't even tag. Dusting my hands, I rose slow. Pitcher and catcher scowled.
...Yes!
After the game, Kim Se-rin slipped into the Pigeons cheerleaders' lounge. She stripped off her sweat-soaked uniform, stuffing it in her bag with a sigh.
"Tough one today..."
Teammates chattered beside her, changing and retouching makeup. One glanced over.
"Hey, Se-rin. Remember that Turkeys thing?"
Kim Se-rin paused mid-ponytail, looking up. Oh... that.
She'd been mad at Kim Hu-seong over it, but played dumb. "Oh yeah~ The one where a player caused a scene? Name was Kim... something?"
"Right, Kim Hu-seong."
Her teammate nodded, voice low. "Heard something wild. Jeong Su-a sunbae, the Turkeys captain? Same school as me. Asked her yesterday."
"And?"
"Get this... She said it wasn't the player's fault."
Kim Se-rin gaped blankly. "Huh? Then why the article and the demotion? Doesn't add up."
"Turkeys are in a rough spot, dead last. They're strict on player-cheerleader stuff anyway. After that blew up, they pinned it on the cheerleader to bury it..."
She paused, whispering, "But the player stepped up and took the fall."
"What?"
Se-rin yelped. "So he covered for the cheerleader?"
"Yeah. Could've tanked his career... Wonder why."
The teammate shrugged. "Dunno. Asked her—said someone asked him to look out for 'em. Dumb, right?"
Someone to look out for...? That's... me...
Se-rin froze. He took the whole hit for me? Oh god...
"You okay?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Crazy story... Wild."
"Kinda sad for Turkeys. Lots of teams ignore that stuff now... But losing streaks, what can ya do?"
"Or maybe we're the weird ones. Siguls, Crows, McPhies are strict too..."
"Add Turkeys—that's five. Half the league."
"Hope my next contract skips those. No Taiwan for me—can't make bank."
Her teammate perked up. "Ooh, so you're open to dating players?"
"Huh? How'd you get there? I ever date one?"
"Ever thought about it?"
"Hmm..."
"Any guys you'd lower your standards for?"
"Lower my standards?"
Kim Se-rin drifted off. Someone like that...? Maybe...