Inflicting Pain
“Coach… don’t you think we should cut back on the steals now that they’ve got our number?”
“We can’t. You need the experience right now. You’re still lacking. Why do you think you couldn’t steal bases well in the first team?”
Oh Tae-sik said.
Well, that’s…
“Kuhm, are you hitting me right where it hurts? I think I get it a little now.”
“You get it a little now? The sign I gave from the bench wasn’t wrong. So why couldn’t you do it? You know you’re fast.”
Coach Oh Tae-sik sat on the bench, stared at my face for a moment, then spoke slowly.
“Because I didn’t know where the catcher was dropping low.”
“Right, Hu-seong. You know your own strengths, so you need to spot the opponent’s weaknesses. Confirm it with the numbers before the game, then double-check with your eyes during play and move. That’s the key to always playing with awareness.”
“But it’s hard to read that right now, isn’t it?”
“Doesn’t the second team have strategy analysts? Go ask for it. They’ll give it to you if you request.”
“Don’t they prepare it separately for the first team?”
“They do. The first team uses a more advanced overall system—video analysis, data, quantified feedback… But they don’t hand-pick what you need. They give you something more general. In the end, you have to demand exactly what you require.”
Coach Oh Tae-sik pulled out a cigarette and put it in his mouth.
“They’ve added more from the dugout now—defensive shifts, tactical instructions. Players say it makes things easier. Lets them focus and choose wisely. But is that really good for the players?”
Chiiik… Coach Oh Tae-sik lit the cigarette.
“Suck… Hoo… Hm. The reason you’re struggling there comes from that. Without understanding why with your head and body, the numbers you need won’t come out.”
Euum… That cuts deep.
Memories from back then flood back—the times they said I could do it, but I didn’t know how.
“Baseball is ultimately a sport where the player understands, judges, and moves. Numbers show results, not replace them.”
… I nodded silently.
“The good news is, you might not be great at baseball, but you’ve got decent BQ. When you step up to the plate, you don’t just read the pitcher—you read the infielders too. Do the same thing as a runner.”
“Can I pull it off?”
“Believe it. Trust your feet. You’re a great defensive utility guy, but those feet are top-tier base-stealing material too. Just bring the same sense you have on defense to the basepaths.”
“Then what should my goal be? I’m not sure.”
“Goal… If it’s an underhand or righty? Think about getting to second base. Lefties might be tougher. But that’s actually good. Rattling the pitcher matters. Even if you don’t steal, creating opportunities for the hitter is a win.”
He flipped through the analysis sheet in front of him.
“It’s a play that doesn’t show up in the numbers. Aim for that. Sound far-fetched?”
Pretty damn far…
* * *
I soon widened my lead dramatically. The opponent was a righty. I had to get to second.
- Oh… Kim Hu-seong’s taking a huge lead here. He didn’t used to open it up like this… Considering his speed, this distance is risky.
Lee Seo-jin, the commentator, quickly caught the moment and called it.
Park Sang-hoo’s eyes sharpened the instant I widened my lead. His shoulder twitched slightly.
Check’s coming.
My body reacted on instinct. As I pivoted my toes toward the base, the ball flew in. The first baseman stretched out his glove, but I dove back to the bag in a flash.
“Safe!”
The umpire’s call rang out, and I let out a short breath. Just as expected.
The opposing pitcher started checking me. But I didn’t stop. I widened the lead again. One step further this time.
The pitcher’s gaze shifted more toward me. The look he’d been giving the catcher vanished, replaced by full wariness.
Good. He’s locked on.
I crouched low, staring silently at the starter. Ready to bolt either way.
The pitcher glared at me, then flicked his eyes to the catcher. Suspicious.
Shiiiik!
The pitcher threw. The ball went outside, and the catcher snagged it before glaring at me. But I was already back at first.
Aha~ So that’s it. He skipped one on purpose. Pretty effective. They got a ball out of it.
I read the pitcher’s throw. Widened the lead again and watched him closely. His left foot lifted slightly.
Now!
My body exploded forward. I dropped low and charged full speed.
Shiiiik!Pop!
Busan Siguls catcher Yoon Do-hyeong fired a quick throw. The ball sailed low to the second baseman’s glove.
Pop!
But by the time he caught it, my left hand was on the bag.
“Safe!”
The second-base ump spread his arms wide.
“Hoo…”
I took a deep breath, sitting on second, head down as I caught my wind for a while.
Got it… Success.
A small cheer rose from the stands. Behind third base, the Turkeys fan section waved flags and shouted.
“Kim Hu-seong~ Nice one!”
The familiar team chant mixed subtly with drum beats.
- Ah~ Kim Hu-seong pulls it off nicely. He went down to the second team and came back better. Looks like he sharpened up down there.
- What’s different about him?
The caster followed up on Lee Seo-jin’s comment.
- Before, Kim Hu-seong relied only on his own speed, but now he’s starting to read the opponent. At least his timing matched what I expected. He’s a real base stealer now.
- He built his skills in the second team?
- That’s how it looks. Word is he’s putting up good numbers down there. Especially with aggressive baserunning… The opponent knew and checked him, but Kim Hu-seong took the checks and stole beautifully anyway.
- And No. 2 hitter Hong Yu-chan got two balls too, so he did his job.
- Exactly.
I adjusted my helmet on second base. Cheers from our away fans in the third-base stands reached me, but I had no time to look. I quickly scanned around.
Now the real fun starts.
I eyed our dugout, watching for any additional signs.
- A strategy-focused team might bunt here. The league-leading Eulji Crows definitely would. But no sign came.
No. 2 hitter Hong Yu-chan would swing away. But the opponent expected a bunt. Third baseman was up at the edge.
So I… Baseball’s all about timing.
Getting to second was mostly reading the pitcher’s check. But now it was different. Next up: catcher Yoon Do-hyeong.
His pop time wasn’t lightning. He was probably bracing for a bunt too. That was my opening.
I checked the dugout one last time. No sign.
I started widening my lead gradually. The pitcher went into his set position and threw.
Now!
The instant I judged it, my body moved first.
Pabababap!
I dropped low and sprinted for third.
Sheeeik! Buwoong! Pop!
“Third!”
The Siguls catcher hurled to third in a panic. I stretched my left hand long for the sliding touch.
At the same moment, a thud hit my back. The third baseman tagged me hard with his glove.
The ump’s arm went up.
“Out!”
The stadium fell silent for a split second.
Out? No way.
I popped up, eyes wide, and signaled straight to the dugout for a review.
Kim Young-ho, sitting in the dugout, stood up. His face was stone, but he approached the umps and requested the review right away.
The video review was accepted, and the stadium hushed.
The screen showed the slow-mo replay. My left hand grazed the bag just as the third baseman’s glove hung in the air.
The umps huddled, nodded, and the home plate ump spread his arms.
“Safe!”
Cheers erupted from the third-base stands.
“Nice!”
The Turkeys fans behind third went wild.
“Yes! Good job, Hu-seong!”
I looked at the fans on third, nodding with a small ceremony.
Meanwhile, in the broadcast booth, commentator Lee Seo-jin looked stunned.
“Safe. He lives. This spells trouble for Busan Siguls. Could haunt them the whole series. Kim Hu-seong came back fully trained.”
“Is this steal that damaging?”
“Yes. He completely owned the Siguls just now. He read the pitcher’s timing. Knew the third baseman’s position. And he was dead certain the catcher’s pop time couldn’t stop him. Perfect style.”
“What can the Siguls do about it?”
Lee Seo-jin gave a clear answer.
“Only swap in a defensive catcher with a cannon arm.”
“Uh… but the Siguls right now…”
“They don’t have one.”