Chris’s eyes danced with amusement as he saw his son standing at attention. He was about to adjourn the gathering to give Ken some respite, however a peel of laughter came out in the next moment.
“HAHAHA, Good!”
For the first time, the players heard Coach Takashi laugh out loud with a giant smile on his face. He seemed to really enjoy Ken’s response.
“At ease soldier.”
With that he turned around and walked off, yet they could still hear his chuckles.
Suddenly, everyone who had been staring at Ken like he was an idiot, wished they had responded in kind. However, what person in their right mind would respond in such a way?
Hiroki and Daichi let out a sigh of relief seeing as how Ken wasn’t singled out or reprimanded in anyway. One wouldn’t want to get on the bad side of the Head Coach, particularly before the team was selected.
“Okay you lot, let’s jog some laps to get your muscles warm.” Chris announced, grabbing his whistle from around his neck and blowing it.
FWHEE
With that, the group of players began their jog around the field. Since it was just a warm up, they kept it light. No one wanted to burn themselves out before the training started.
After around 10 minutes, Chris blew his whistle once again.
Once the players lined up, he walked forward and placed his arm between two players shoulders.
“Those of you on my left, head over to the infield for some grounders. Those of you on the right, you’re in the outfield with me.”
His tone left no room for argument, regardless of the player’s positions.
Ken and Daichi were in the outfield for the first exercise, getting split up from Hiroki who would be doing some grounders.
“Okay this drill is simple. I want three of you in the outfield and one of you standing on second base over there.” Chris said, pointing to one of the markers that were laid on the field.
“The outfielders must communicate and field the ball, sending it to the player on 2nd base. I also need 1 person to tag up and run from 1st base to 2nd base once the ball is caught.”
“Once you’re done, the outfielder who caught the ball will get off the field, replaced by the player on 2nd base. Then the next person starts from 1st base.”
Chris explained the rules concisely and loud enough for everyone to hear. If they couldn’t understand such a simple drill like this, then how could they call themselves the best in the country.
“Understood?”
“Yes coach.”
Majority of the players called out in affirmation, leading to Chris nodding his head in appreciation.
“You three go into the outfield, you on 2nd base and Ken, you’ll be the runner.”
Ken sprang to action, heading over to 1st base or in this case the marker. He had not done this drill before, but he was rather impressed by it nonetheless.
Not only was the drill multifaceted, it also simulated actual game play and a sense of urgency. It would test the outfielders catching position and arm strength by forcing them to throw under pressure.
While he hadn’t played a lot of outfield before, he knew that there was much more to it than just taking catches.
Once everyone was in position, Chris blew his whistle before firing off a bomb with his bat.
DOOONG
The sound of the metal bat rang out in their ears as the ball flew upward into the sky.
Ken was rather impressed that his father was able to hit such a ball so casually. He knew that the guy had played baseball in America during High School before continuing in University in Japan, yet he’d never seen him play.
“Alright alright, I got it.”
Masayuki in the center outfield, positioned himself underneath the ball, standing a few feet back from where it was going to land. Ken could tell instantly that the guy had experience in the outfield and knew he was going to be tough to beat.
As the ball got closer, the guy caught it in motion and was quickly able to throw the ball thanks to his efficient movements.
Ken had dashed from his base the moment he heard the ball enter the glove of the fielder. There was nothing on his mind except the base in front of him.
Through his peripheral vision he had seen Masayuki’s throw and felt his mind going into overdrive as he began to assess the amount of time he had to make it to the base.
‘I’m going to have to slide’ Ken thought, his eyes narrowing.
The 2nd base marker was quickly closing in, not giving him much time to make a move.
Ken lunged his body forwards, breaking into a slide along the grass while extending his long arm in order to touch the base before he was tagged.
The throw from Masayuki was spot on, dipping low as it approached the player on 2nd base. The player on 2nd base caught the ball with ease before tagging Ken on the wrist.
There was a bout of silence since there was no umpire present to make the call. However, both Ken and the other player couldn’t definitively say whether he was safe or out.
Thankfully though, it didn’t seem to matter.
FWHEE
“Alright switch!” Chris called out in the next moment, intending to continue on with the drill.
The player on 2nd base ran out into the outfield while Masayuki made his way off the field. As he passed by Ken, his eyes seemed to look at him in a different light.
“Nice run.” He said before jogging off.
“Ah… Nice throw.” Ken replied, a little taken aback from the sudden compliment.
They were currently competing for a place on the team, which was why he wasn’t expecting such words.
‘Is this perhaps part of my Dauntless trait as well?’
Yet he didn’t know that Masayuki was another player who’d been on the National team since a young age alongside Riku in the outfield. The fact that he’d praised Ken’s run was a good indication of how he’d performed.