Chapter 313
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 313
Chapter Title: A Grand Slam Performance
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The road, which had been a veritable parking lot, slowly began to move. Tom and his friend let out sighs of relief and started driving toward LA Stadium along the slightly cleared path.
“Glad we left early.”
“Tell me about it. I had no idea this many people would show up. It’s usually only like this for major games…”
If they had left any later, they might not have gotten a spot. Having finally found a parking space, Tom looked up at the sky with a look of wonder.
The sky was blue, and the weather was just right.
“It was scorching hot just a few days ago.”
“I know, right? The weather got nice all of a sudden.”
All the talk of record-breaking heat and sweltering heatwaves had vanished.
Word got around that the weather service and climate scientists were all baffled by the climate forecast, which had completely changed from just a week ago.
No one knew the cause of the change, but the improved weather made watching the baseball game much more comfortable.
“But do you think Lee will be any good at bat? The video the LA Dodgers posted made him look good, but…”
That practice video had likely drawn the interest of many people. Seojun Lee, who seemed quite skilled at both pitching and batting. But since it was a short clip, many comments suggested it was just the magic of editing.
At his friend's words, Tom shrugged.
“He’ll be great.”
“How do you know?”
To his friend's question, Tom, a dedicated fan of Seojun Lee, grinned and said,
“Because there’s no sport Jun can’t do. He did his own stunts for the really difficult action scenes in *Shadowman 3*, and it was the same for *Escape*. He’s great at soccer and he’s a pro at archery too.”
“Still, isn’t baseball a little different?”
“Just watch.”
Jun was going to put on an amazing show.
* * *
Seated in the broadcast booth, the two commentators scanned the paper the LA Dodgers had given them.
It contained an introduction for Seojun Lee, who would be the ceremonial batter, and the order of events. For ceremonial pitches, they often wove a story based on the celebrity's profession or age. For a political figure, they'd be more solemn; for a variety show star, more humorous.
The two commentators tilted their heads as they read the paper.
“The content is good, but… is Seojun Lee really skilled enough for this?”
“That’s what I was thinking.”
The success of today's ceremonial first bat event seemed to rest entirely on Seojun Lee.
* * *
>Jack: There are so many people!
>Jack: We wouldn't have gotten in if not for the invitation.
>Jack: Yeah, it’s a great view.
Jack's family, the couple, and Nara Kim had come to LA Stadium with the complimentary tickets provided by the LA Dodgers. Seojun had arrived separately for a brief practice, but they planned to leave together.
Seojun, dressed in an LA Dodgers uniform, put down his phone.
His heart was pounding. Though he was sitting in the waiting room, he could feel the entire stadium buzzing with excitement. Social media was flooded with posts about the situation at LA Stadium.
All 56,000 seats were sold out.
Not everyone was here to see him, but Seojun felt a little nervous facing such a massive crowd for the first time.
Leaning back in his chair, Seojun broke into a grin.
Of course, it was the good kind of nervous.
“Seojun. It’s time.”
“Okay!”
Time passed, and soon it was time for the ceremonial first bat.
Guided by An Daho and a staff member, Seojun headed to the batter's box.
Thunderous applause erupted at the appearance of Seojun Lee, clad in an LA Dodgers uniform and geared up for safety. In response to the cheers constantly calling his name and "Jin Natra," Seojun removed his helmet and waved to the crowd.
As a camera zoomed in on him, Seojun’s image appeared on the jumbotrons on either side. Gasps of admiration escaped the crowd, captivated by the aura he exuded. This image of Seojun was broadcast live on N-tube and through networks with broadcasting rights, reaching viewers everywhere.
-ㅠㅠ Seojun ㅠㅠ
-I can’t believe I’m seeing Seojun in America when I couldn’t even see him in Korea ㅠㅠ
-He looks like a real baseball player in that uniform.
-If Seojun were a baseball player, I’d go to every single one of his games, heh.
-Same here, for real haha.
“Alright, let’s do this.”
“Yes.”
After bumping fists with Seojun, Robert walked up to the pitcher's mound. Seojun stepped into the batter's box.
The commentator introduced Robert and Seojun Lee.
[The player Robert will be facing is now stepping up to the plate. Number 17, Seojun Lee. This is his debut performance. Lee's main profession is a Hollywood actor, where he has shown outstanding results.]
The commentator's words drew laughter from the crowd.
[A few days ago, he saved a whale, and now he’s here to save LA Stadium. As expected, LA Stadium is packed from the very beginning. The popularity of a Hollywood actor is truly formidable.]
[He's not just any Hollywood actor. He's a superstar. We hope actor Seojun Lee continues to show us wonderful work in the future. And with that, let the game begin!]
Seojun gripped the bat with both hands and got into his stance. As he naturally assumed the position he had practiced, the catcher, Hayden, nodded as if it were a given, while the home plate umpire behind him let out an impressed "Oho."
Jun! Jin Natra! Lee Seojun! Seojun!
A chill ran down his spine at the voices coming from all directions. It was his first time meeting so many people in person, which made it even more intense.
‘Even more… than I imagined.’
This is great.
Front, back, left, and right. Seojun loved the feeling of all these people, filling every inch of LA Stadium, with their eyes fixed only on him.
So, he put a little more spirit into it.
He didn't know how many of his fans were here, but he wanted to show them something incredible.
‘It’s rare for an actor to stand before so many people like this.’
[(Elf) Basic Breathing has been activated.]
Just as Seojun Lee's aura intensified and drew everyone's attention, the umpire shouted.
[Play ball!]
The massive crowd held its breath.
Robert lightly raised both arms.
[Robert is in his windup!]
He planted his pivot foot and threw the ball toward the catcher.
[The first pitch! It's fast!]
[Is he actually going to hit that?]
The commentators and the audience alike shifted in their seats at the unexpectedly fast pitch. Is he really going to hit that? Before they could even finish the thought, *thwack!* The baseball slammed into the catcher's glove.
[Ah, it was too fast.]
[It seems Robert has momentarily forgotten this is a ceremonial first bat.]
Aww.
A collective sound of disappointment echoed through the stands. The scene was broadcast to viewers just as it was.
-That was way too fast.
-Right? How are you supposed to hit something that just zips by?
-It must look even faster from the batter's box.
“How was that?”
From a spot where the crowd's reaction was clearly felt.
Hayden asked Seojun from the plate. In response to Hayden's worried question, Seojun smiled warmly and said,
“It’s fine. This is what I planned, after all. In fact, this is the exact reaction I was hoping for, so it's great.”
“Really? Alright then.”
At Seojun's words, Hayden chuckled and sent a signal to Robert.
[And here’s the second pitch. Robert in his windup!]
[This one had better be a bit slower.]
[Yes! He throws!]
The ball flew by in a blur.
Seojun Lee didn't even get to swing the bat as the baseball was sucked into the catcher's glove. The number displayed on the scoreboard left the crowd looking puzzled.
[Well, that was faster than the first pitch.]
[I wonder if Robert thinks this is a real game.]
-?? You invite our Seojun for a ceremonial bat and you do this?
-Right? If you were going to do this, you shouldn't have invited him.
-? You wanna be buried six feet under??
Unaware of the menacing conversations happening online, Robert adjusted the brim of his cap and observed the subdued atmosphere.
‘It’s been a while since I felt this kind of pressure…’
It felt as if every single person in the stands had turned against him. That made his lips curl into a wider smile. He quite liked the superstar's plan to turn even a simple ceremonial event into a drama.
[Two strikes. Robert winds up!]
A hush fell over LA Stadium.
It seemed as if no one was even breathing. Though the stands were far away, he could feel the gaze, the movements, and the breath of every single person, just like in a play.
[He throws!]
Robert swung his right arm and unleashed the ball.
[It's even faster?!]
The commentators, who already knew what the event entailed, and the clueless spectators all leaned forward in their seats.
And then,
The hero's attack always lands at the very end.
Seojun planted his raised left foot firmly, shifted his weight from right to left, and swung the bat he held with both hands with all his might. The white ball met the swiftly swung baseball bat just before it could enter the catcher's glove.
Crack!!
An exhilarating sound echoed through LA Stadium.
The sound sent a jolt from the tips of his toes to the top of his head, making every strand of his hair stand on end.
Before anyone could process what had happened, all heads turned in unison, following the baseball that had been sent soaring into the air. People, having risen from their seats unknowingly, watched the ball fly toward third base. The moment seemed to unfold in slow motion.
Jaws dropped and eyes widened as far as they could go.
They had been disappointed by the two missed pitches that were too fast, ready to applaud happily if Seojun Lee could just manage a base hit.
[It's going, going, goooone!!]
[Home run!! A home run!!]
The excited shouts of the commentators boomed through the speakers, filling the stadium.
A home run! It was a home run!
The realization hit, and the crowd erupted in a massive roar.
The white ball sailed over the fence and landed squarely in the glove of a young boy sitting in the stands. He had unconsciously raised his glove as the ball came flying, and now he felt its solid weight. The jumbotron showed the boy's dazed expression alongside Seojun, who had taken off his helmet and was beaming, and another wave of cheers broke out.
[Seojun Lee!! A home run in his debut!]
[The pitch was faster than before, but he hit a home run!? That's incredible!]
[Whatever the case, it’s a ceremonial first bat home run!!]
[Isn't this the first time a home run has been hit during a ceremonial first bat?!]
LA Stadium exploded at the Hollywood star's unbelievable home run.
Even the commentators, who knew beforehand that the plan was to let two pitches go by and then hit the third for a single or a home run, were so excited they started rambling incoherently. For the plan to work, Seojun Lee's batting skills had to be good, but they had never imagined he would hit a home run.
The main game hadn't even started, but the crowd was already waving their jerseys and screaming for the superstar's play.
[If they had a number 17 LEE jersey, it would have sold out today!!]
[I want that jersey!!]
Helmet off, Seojun Lee rounded first, second, and third base and returned home, greeted by another deafening roar. His cheeks flushed from the cheers, Seojun smiled brightly and waved both hands.
* * *
[Actor Lee Seojun, A Perfect Ceremonial First Bat Never Seen Before!]
[A Home Run at LA Stadium!? Lee Seojun, Whose Main Job is an Actor!]
[Actor or Baseball Player? Actor Lee Seojun Hits a Home Run!]
[A Signature on the Home Run Ball! Posts Trying to Buy Lee Seojun's Home Run Ball Flood the Internet!]
-Lee Seojun is the best!!
-But can an actor really hit a home run? Looking at his schedule, it seems like he only practiced for a few days.
=LA Stadium is smaller than other ballparks, heh.
=+) The pitch was fast, but the pitcher threw it right where he could hit it.
=+) Lee Seojun hit it well, too. A friend of his is a player, so he probably got good from playing with him.
=+) Yeah, his timing was perfect, heh.
-Wow. I was cursing out the pitcher after the second pitch for throwing too fast… and then he hits an even faster one for a home run?
-I think he let the first two go on purpose.
=Same. If he had hit the first one, it would've been over. But by dragging it out to the third pitch, he surprised everyone. It was shocking, lol.
=Yeah, my heart was pounding even though it wasn't a real game, heh.
-When he and the pitcher smiled at each other after it was over, I knew they were on good terms, heh.
=I was cursing Robert out until the second pitch. My bad, Robert, haha.
-I was watching on my phone, and I was so shocked when he hit the home run that I dropped it ㅠㅠ I'm still paying it off ㅠ
=Same here. My hands were sweating even though it wasn't a real game, lol.
-Seems like my whole apartment building was watching. After the home run, the shouting from upstairs, downstairs, and next door was insane. Of course, my family was screaming too, heh.
=Same. I was at work and just watching this part. Turns out everyone else was secretly watching too, because we all screamed when Seojun hit the home run, lol. We ended up watching the Dodgers game too.
=But the highlight was Lee Seojun's home run, lolol.
=They're replaying it on the news constantly now… it’s thrilling no matter how many times I watch!
-As expected, Lee Seojun's athletic ability is insane.
=Now the whole world will know!
=Is this the level of athletic skill that gets you scouted for the national team just by learning, lol.
=??? : "To think we lost such an athletic genius to Hollywood...!"
=Hahaha.
-The losing team's fans were going crazy, saying they should just recruit Jun, lol.
=I saw that. To think they'd get a no-hitter in that game, lol.
=/"Jun would hit better than you guys!!"/