***
Ken walked onto the field for his first post season game ever and felt some nerves. It wasn’t often that he got nervous, but today was one of those days.
Having worked with Daichi all week, Ken felt like today’s game was the opportune moment to throw his perfect game. Having his pitching at EX grade and the additional benefits his signature skills gave him, Ken had the ability to do it.
But as he stepped onto the mound, the atmosphere exploded. He had pitched many times this season, but this was the first time where he felt like there was electricity in the air.
It was hard to explain.
“It’s not like you to be nervous.” Daichi walked up to the mound and spoke in Japanese.
“It’s a big game…” Ken replied, his eyes scanning the crowd.
“It is… But I’ve seen you in big games before, you’re never like this.” Daichi added matter-of-factly.
Ken sent him a glare, “Isn’t it your job to calm me down? Why do you keep harping on about it?”
Daichi snorted, “Shall I just pitch as well? I might as well since I’m doing everything else.”
Ken was so taken aback that he laughed subconsciously, “I’d pay to see you pitch to yourself.”
After getting out the laugh, he actually felt his nerves quickly disappear. He looked at his brother and pat him on the shoulder gently, “I need to poop… Let’s get this first inning done quickly.”
Daichi blinked a few times in disbelief before shaking his head in defeat. “I can never tell if you’re joking or not.”
However, upon seeing Ken shift uncomfortably atop the mound, Daichi’s expression changed.
“You idiot, why didn’t you go before?” He said in a harsh whisper.
“I thought they were just butterfly’s in my stomach…”
Daichi shook his head, “Even if you get a perfect game this match, it will be forever stained… Just like your pants.”
At these words, Ken flinched. “Wait, you’re kidding right? Did I poop myself earlier?”
But after seeing the giant grin on his brother’s face, Ken realized he was joking. He let out a sigh before shooing the guy away. “Hurry up, or I really will leave a brown stain on my pants.”
Apart from his upset stomach, Ken was feeling pretty good now after his back and forth with Daichi. They had practiced all week, so they were both in sync. As long as he performed well, they had a real shot of not only winning, but also getting a perfect game.
Ken performed his warm up throws and gave a thumbs up to the plate umpire.
“Play ball!”
The crowd let out a cheer as the organ music began, signaling the start of the first game of the Division Series between the Detroit Ligers and the Seattle Waves.
“Batting first for the Seattle Waves, center fielder, Justin Rodriguez.”
The announcer called over the speakers, sounding bored.
As the guy stepped into the batters box and got ready, Ken let out a deep breath, centering his mind. He stared at his brother behind the plate, his eyes shining.
He just needed to trust Daichi. There was no one else who could better help him get a perfect game this match than his brother.
Daichi crouched down behind the plate and called for a fastball, placing his glove on the outside.
Ken nodded, turning to 3rd base briefly before lifting his left leg and kicking off the pitchers plate. His movements were practiced and fluid, not wasting any strength at all throughout the process.
As his lead foot planted, Ken’s arm came whipping past his face before he raked down on the ball. It was like a heat seeking missile as it cascaded down the lane, its target inevitable.
WHOOOOOSH
WHACK
‘Eh?’
The very first ball was struck, heading towards first base along the ground. For a brief moment, Ken’s eyes were wide in shock as he watched Sam scramble to reach the ball.
It struck the first base and shot into the air. Time seemed to slow down as Sam’s glove shot out towards the wayward ball. For a moment it looked like the ball was going to evade the glove completely.
Either through freak reflexes or sheer luck, Sam managed to jolt his body upwards, barely securing the ball with his glove before stepping onto 1st base.
“Out.”
Ken felt his whole body relax in that moment. Unfortunately for him, that also meant his stomach muscles that were keeping his digestive system at bay.
Ken bent down, feeling his stomach cramp up thanks to the strain. After a few moments he finally recovered, letting out a sigh of relief.
“That was close… on both accounts.” He mumbled.
Now that he had some free time before the next batter came up, Ken felt that something was off. Why had the batter gone for his fastball from the beginning? Was it a lucky hit? Or were Seattle actively going for his fastball?
His first reaction was that he might have a tell, but that was very unlikely since the legendary pitching coach Tom House had trained him not to.
‘I will find out soon…’
“Batting 2nd, playing 2nd base for the Seattle Waves. Aaron Frazier.”
With the 2nd batter now coming out, Ken could only rely on Daichi again for the lead.
Ken nodded and began his wind up before sending the ball from his fingertips moments later. This time there was side spin on the ball.
WHOOOOOSH
PAH
“Strike.”
Ken’s cutter slammed into Daichi’s glove at 96mph, causing the whole stadium to grow silent. This was the first time that he’d shown this pitch and even the commentators were dumbstruck.
“96mph cutter? That’s faster than many pitchers fastballs…”
“Should we be surprised at this point Bob? It seems like anything is possible when Ken is on the mound.”
“I’m just curious as to why he chose to throw it on the first pitch of the at-bat? Wouldn’t it have been more effective later?”
“Maybe he’s trying to keep the batters guessing?”