Jin Sambong's Baseball Classroom (2)
As I'd said over and over, I had no intention of giving any grand advice.
Giving tips on pitching is even more sensitive than on hitting. Pitchers are far touchier creatures than batters.
Even a slight shift in glove position can throw off a pitcher's balance. If I told them how to throw, it would probably do more harm than good.
Leave that to the experts.
In modern baseball, player development has long been the domain of science. With cutting-edge equipment and systematized theory, development specialists study and teach forms and pitch repertoires tailored to each player—and the Titans have plenty of them.
Wait, the first thing they told me at spring training was to raise my arm angle, right?
Well, sometimes the field still clings to old-school methods, but anyway.
"I'm not going to tweak your delivery or teach you new pitches here."
That was how I kicked off my "lecture." As pitchers themselves, the guys in the class nodded along.
"Yeah, you can't just learn a pitch and add it to your arsenal on the spot."
"It'd mean redesigning your entire pitching plan. Can't do that mid-season unless you're some kind of genius."
"Huh? Does that mean Yuha can?"
My name came up out of nowhere.
"Eh..."
I mumbled something vague.
Because yeah, I actually could.
Back in my rookie days, I hustled hard too.
Anyway.
"I'm just gonna share what I talked about with Park Gwangho sunbae. It was nothing big. Just minor stuff, like mindset when you take the mound."
"Ooh... that's intriguing."
Park Oseon sunbae, the oldest guy there, lit up. So did the PD holding the camera.
"Maybe it's just me, but... I think batters are idiots."
The PD's sparkle vanished as I kept going.
"Since we're on camera, let's tone it down. Batters are toys. At least, that's how I see 'em when I climb the mound."
Why film something like this? I didn't want to come off like some cocky rookie schooling his elders.
"...What exactly do you mean by that?"
Baek Jeongsu sunbae asked, his face a mix of confusion.
"From my short time in the pros... pitchers seem way too scared."
More precisely, that's what I felt playing in the KBO.
"Scared?"
"Like they're psyching themselves out before even throwing the ball?"
"You mean pitching around them? Is that a problem...?"
Pitching with lures isn't bad at all. History's greats include fireballers, sure, but plenty of finesse guys too.
But luring a batter to attack versus throwing lure pitches out of fear of getting hit? Totally different stories.
And.
"From what I've seen, the second one's way more common."
"...Really?"
"Do we need to be scared of batters?"
Just the facts.
"Batters get called great if they hit .300, right?"
"Yeah?"
"That means the 'best' guys fail seven out of ten times."
"...Huh."
"So why be scared? Pitchers win seven out of ten matchups."
I know better than anyone this is borderline sophistry. My identity's tied to pitching, but I've swung the bat in games too.
Still, I say it because.
"No need to chicken out in batter matchups. Getting scared won't make the ball go where you want. The opposite, maybe."
It's all mental.
If you're already spooked, you can't execute your plan.
Of course.
"I'm not saying go out and disrespect them. You all know—even a weak hitter can crush you if you slack."
Just don't be scared.
"...So treat 'em like toys?"
"That's my mindset, anyway."
Pitcher-batter battles are often called timing wars. And pitchers always hold the edge—they have the initiative.
"It's fun watching them flinch every pitch."
"Didn't know you had that in you, Yuha."
I'd heard "sadistic" a lot. Still.
"Helpful, right?"
"Sure..."
"Kinda obvious, though."
"Yeah."
"They say obvious advice works for a reason."
That's the "profound" stuff I told Park Gwangho.
Stepping up after hearing that? Guy's impressive...
"That's the gist of what Park Gwangho sunbae and I talked about. The rest was just training sessions. Any questions?"
Might as well take Q&A since it's billed as a lecture.
"..."
Predictably, none came.
Tuesday. Opening game of the weekday series.
"Hoo..."
Baek Jeongsu, starting on the mound, took a deep breath.
They're idiots...
Jin Yuha had brushed it off as no big deal, but it hit Baek Jeongsu hard.
Have I ever thought I could beat batters?
Maybe as a kid, when he brimmed with confidence. But.
At some point, I just wanted to avoid hits.
The Busan Titans hadn't won in the 21st century, scraping bottom lately. Yet they were somehow the KBO's most popular team.
Baek Jeongsu had been a key starter for that fan-favorite team since childhood. Later, they even called him the ace—undeservedly.
But aces get flak too. Titans fans were blunt and fiery.
That 3-inning, 8-run disaster with chicken bones thrown... still nightmare fuel.
So he'd felt massive pressure every start. When comet-like Jin Yuha snatched his spot, he'd even felt relief.
"Let's do this."
Today, though, Baek Jeongsu shook off the weight and resolved to reclaim his old self.
Opponent: Seoul Wolves. Solid head-to-head record.
Leadoff... righty. Super patient at the plate.
CRACK!!
The ball rocketed off with a boom.
"Foul!"
Luckily, it hooked around the pole. Count: 2 strikes.
Normally, that would've spooked him into playing it safe.
Tap tap.
Baek Jeongsu called his own sign to the catcher.
"Huh?"
Park Cheongwon tilted his head in surprise but nodded and set up his mitt. He trusted pitchers' calls in most spots.
WHOOSH!!
Baek Jeongsu fired toward the mitt.
"..."
The pitch looked to miss the zone.
The batter didn't swing, figuring it was his usual 2-strike take. But.
WHIFF!!
A sweeper tracing a broom-sweep arc outside against the righty—Baek Jeongsu's signature out pitch, one he'd never used on righties. It slammed the back door.
"Strike three!"
The ump's booming call rang out.
"Haha."
Grinning at the stunned batter, Baek Jeongsu got it—why Jin Yuha called them toys.
On TV, Baek Jeongsu sunbae looked shocked at his own words.
Sunbae's in trouble.
Not my fault, at least.
Eh, good outing means it's all good.
He's laughing too.
All the "Jin Sambong's Baseball Classroom" students starting in the weekday series against the Wolves had strong showings. Baek Jeongsu sunbae with his 7 shutout innings, and Park Oseon sunbae in the 8th, retiring the side with veteran savvy.
Not because of me.
They were solid pitchers anyway—one a Titans rotation staple, the other a long-time bullpen vet.
Baek Jeongsu sunbae thanked me after the game, but I don't think my advice helped much. Plus.
The last student didn't fare well. Still.
5 innings, 4 runs is solid for a fifth starter. How many teams even run a real fifth man?
The curse of popularity?
"More like the curse of being popular and historically bad."
"Why so mad, Hanseong? Bummed about losing your starting gig?"
"As if... It's that dance video on YouTube."
"Baek Jihun sunbae's fault?"
"Yours! Some content shoot got canceled 'cause of you!"
"Oof."
Don't take it out on me.
"...Why?"
"Manager asked about a personal catcher."
"Huh?"
"Park Cheongwon sunbae's stamina issues, plus you two complete games together... Suggested making you my dedicated guy."
"...Kneel now?"
Don't vent at the pitcher, catcher.
The Wolves series ended in a winning streak.
James Gilbert struggled with 2 runs in 5 innings in the finale, but the lineup—led by Kang Gihoo sunbae—exploded early. By his exit, it was a 10-run lead.
"Haha! Told ya—I'd snag a win pitcher with run support someday!"
James, the winning pitcher, beamed.
"Ooh... Three complete games at three, but poor Yu-ha got less support than my one start. Maybe the bats like me more."
Or he's just hyped to tease.
"We'll see next time I pitch."
"Eh..."
Not holding my breath.
My fourth start: Saturday. Rhinos' ace: Rauer, top foreign arm alongside Rangers' Harold Gallen.
For foreigners only, of course. Including locals? That's me.
"Cocky bastard."
What? It's true.