Take Down the Top Team
Tuesday had arrived. After getting plenty of rest on Monday, I headed out with my teammates for the away game against the Eulji Crows. It was a relaxed trip since their home stadium at Jamsil Stadium was less than an hour from Gocheok Turkeys Stadium. Upon arrival, the sleek exterior of the brand-new dome gleamed from afar, and even the visiting locker room felt superior to our home one at Gocheok. But the real stunner was the field itself. No wonder fans called Gocheok the "fake dome" and Jamsil the "real deal."
After unpacking, I quickly reviewed the opponent's stats. I knew the Eulji Crows were in first place, but the numbers drove it home. Team batting average: 1st. On-base percentage: 1st. Slugging: 1st. Stolen bases: 1st. OPS: 1st. The data showed they weren't just good hitters—they were relentless at manufacturing runs once a runner got on base. That was why everyone called them the upgraded version of the Turkeys. Our team had solid batting, good on-base, and plenty of steals too, but overall we ranked around fourth—a distant gap.
What stood out in the Crows' stats was their home run total: sixth in the league. Teams with that kind of slugging and OPS usually racked up homers, but not these guys. It meant they relied little on the long ball and excelled at small ball—hit-and-runs, bunts, aggressive baserunning. And yet their team ERA was second in the league. Not just a powerhouse offense, but a stable pitching staff too. No surprise they were on top. With pitchers that good, shaking them would be tough.
But... the Eulji Crows' pitchers hadn't faced this yet. Who knew?
Top of the first, I stepped up as the leadoff hitter. The Crows had their No. 2 starter, Daniel, on the mound. According to the data, he threw a four-seam fastball, changeup, and sinker. His pitch mix was pretty predictable: fastball and sinker to righties, fastball and changeup to lefties. Basically a two-pitch guy. That meant I could make his life hell.
Still, I decided to check his stuff just in case.
Whoosh!Thwack!
"Ball!"
The first pitch was a changeup, probably a feeler. I laid off and watched.
Whiff!Thwack!
"Strike!"
Second was a fastball. Quick, sure, but nothing on another level compared to domestic pitchers. Familiar changeup arc, standard fastball timing. I could handle this.
From the third pitch, I switched to torment mode, per plan.
Whoosh!Ting!
"Foul!"
I thought fastball at first, but it morphed mid-flight—changeup. Perfect. I'd reacted to his stuff. With fastball timing down and the ability to spoil the change, I had him. Easy from here.
Lee Seo-jin, the broadcaster and former Crow, let out a small sigh.
Lee Seo-jin was a Crows alum, so bias aside, he couldn't ignore the ominous signs.
And Lee Seo-jin's prediction was spot on.
Ting!
"Foul!"
The first base ump called it.
Ting!
Lee Seo-jin sounded frustrated. Starter Daniel's face had stiffened. He'd thrown his best, but I kept spoiling them. He was muscling up, elevating everything—useless for getting me out.
Thud! Foul!
Pitch count hit ten. Facing the leadoff hitter in the first, two digits already—Daniel's face flushed red.
Whoooosh!
The ball changed! Eleventh pitch: sinker at last. One he rarely used against lefties. Desperation. Trajectory differed. I delayed my swing, pushed it foul.
Ting!
"Foul!"
Lee Seo-jin sounded regretful.
"FXCK FXCK."
Daniel spun on the mound, muttering curses—not loud, but audible from the box. He was pissed. Heh. His pitches were rising, excitement building. Half my job done. Now, just get on base. Their infield looked solid, so I'd need a lucky hit through.
Then—
Whiff!
Sinker again! Different from before, but body-side this time. Right down the middle? I reacted late, swung desperately. Meatball. But... sinkers like this were my kryptonite.
Thud!
Miss-hit, rolling to short. Weak grounder.
Thwack!
"Out!"
I sprinted to first, but the timing was brutal. Eulji Crows shortstop Go Ju-seok's throw nailed me.
Back in the dugout, before I could hang my helmet, Hwang Do-yoon approached.
"Close one. You dragged him to twelve pitches... How's the pitcher?"
I caught my breath, calm.
"Decent domestic arm. Not overpowering."
Quick, but no intimidation. And mentally fragile—I'd felt it spoiling pitch after pitch. The other hitters nodded silently.
Thwack!
"Ball," Hwang Do-yoon said.
I glanced at the mound. Hitters sensed it: Daniel's balance was shot.
Thwack!
Ball again.
"Shaken... Yeah. Good work, Hu-seong."
Son Tae-ho said it heading to the on-deck circle. Gu Min-seok, at the plate, clocked it too.
'Okay. Pitcher's command is gone. Easy play here.'
Clever Min-seok faked a bunt, goading him. Already off-balance, Daniel fired more balls.
Thwack!
"Walk!"
Three balls, one strike—he sailed another high. Full count walk.
"Nice!"
"Good eye!"
Turkeys dugout cheered Gu Min-seok. Cleanup hitter Kim Han-seong followed.
Daniel attacked the zone to regain rhythm. Bad move.
First fastball, middle in—Kim Han-seong's bat whipped like lightning. Pulled liner between first and second. Min-seok bolted from first to third.
Crows right fielder Tommy Nople rushed it, but Min-seok beat the throw. Runners on first and third, one out.
"Heh heh. Got him rattled, Hu-seong. Even his throws are middle-middle?"
Hwang Do-yoon said, prepping for his at-bat.
"Properly broke him. First inning's a breeze again. We'll score big thanks to you."
"Man, if I'd gotten on..."
"Still contributed. Good job~."
Ahem... praise...
Daniel's face hardened further. He knew he'd been cooked early. Now Son Tae-ho's turn.
The righty knew sinker was Daniel's go-to. First pitch: body-side sinker, as expected.
Then Kim Han-seong broke for second.
Whoosh!Smack!
Catcher threw to second, but speedy Han-seong slid in safe. Third runner advanced too—two, three runners, one out.
Daniel panicked. Second pitch: same sinker spot. But Son Tae-ho was ready, timing from the steal.
Whiff!Thud!
Hard liner to the three-hole! Short, sharp cut between third and short—an RBI single. Gu Min-seok scored, speedy Kim Han-seong raced home too.
Lee Seo-jin sighed softly.