"Because it's fun." He answered. Yet the moment he said this aloud, a wave of understanding finally overcame him.
"That's right. We play the game of baseball because it is fun and we enjoy it. Those kids from Fujimi, you can see it in their faces… They're not having fun at all."
Ken's expression sank. What was baseball if it wasn't fun?
"So what do we do? I can't stand seeing kids miserable like this."
Coach Yoshida stifled a laugh. The situation itself wasn't funny, but seeing a teenager referring to those of his age as kids in such a tone felt a little too ironic to be ignored.
"I can't do anything about it, but maybe you can." He said, a mysterious smile forming at the corner of his lips.
"Huh? Me?" Ken was surprised. Originally he had thought that just beating this team may have an effect on them, however judging by their expressions, they may not even care if they lose.
"You can think about that later. For now, you're next up to bat." Coach Yoshida gave him a nudge on the shoulder, pointing at Keisuke who was dejectedly walking back to the dugout.
"Ah!" He quickly jumped up and grabbed his gear, Ken had been too preoccupied with the the situation that he had a complete brain fart.
"Sorry for making you wait." Ken bowed a few times to the umpire and the Fujimi players, however he didn't receive a response.
He squared up and was prepared to strike. Like in the first innings, he was aiming to hit the ball long.
However, to his surprise, the catcher stood up from behind him and took a few steps to the outside.
"Huh!?" Ken was flabbergasted. Were they really going to walk him? But why?
"Ball."
"Ball."
"Ball."
"Ball four! Walk."
Ken didn't know what was going on in this situation. This had not happened in his previous life, although the circumstances were a little different. They had not managed to score a single run whereas now they had 2 runs on the board.
He could only drop his bat down and walk over to 1st base with a confused expression.
It wasn't until Kenta came up to the batters box that he finally understood what was going on.
"Ball four! Walk."
Ken's gaze instantly turned to the Fujimi coach who was wearing his usual smile. He couldn't help but clench his fists in anger, this wasn't baseball, this was a joke.
Where were the rivalries? The drive to challenge your opponent and win with all of your might, no matter what.
Sure, this style of play may work in the professional league, but they were not professionals. They were middle schoolers.
The way this coach operated broke the players down into mere cogs within a system, erasing everything that made them unique.
"What a shame." Ken said loudly as he stepped onto second base, grabbing the attention of the few players around him. The pitcher turned around with an apathetic gaze and was about to turn back to pitch.
"Your coach must not have any faith in your pitching abilities if he's telling you to walk us all." His words were probing, attempting to get a reaction out of the pitcher.
The pitcher's expression twisted for a moment showing a flash of anger before it returned to normal. Ken could instantly tell that he was not walking them of his own volition.
"That's why I said that it's a shame. I was looking forward to facing your pitches head on after the first innings." He shrugged his shoulders, looking disappointed.
Frustration appeared on the pitchers face but he held it in and turned to face Daichi who had already made his way to the batters box. Ken was pleased by this reaction, it meant that at least one of the players were not satisfied with the Coach and his orders.
However, the pitcher still did as he was instructed by walking Daichi. Ken wasn't too surprised by this, but he finally felt as if he had found a way to perhaps help these kids enjoy baseball once more.
Next up to bat was Tatsuya who came out to one out and bases loaded. While this may seem like Fujimi were at risk, with their constricted field and play style, it would be difficult to convert the loaded bases into runs.
Coach Yoshida grabbed the tip of his hat, signaling for Tatsuya to perform a squeeze. A squeeze was a bunt that would allow the runner on third enough time to reach home, as long as it was executed well.
Ken saw the signal and got a lead from the third base, stalking the pitch and waiting for the bunt.
The pitcher threw the ball right down the middle, prompting Tatsuya to hold out his bat and bunt it towards first base. However, he used too much strength and practically fed it right into the 1st base fielders glove.
He stepped onto the 1st base plate and threw to home, completing the double play.
"3 outs, change!"
Ken slowed down his run before heading back to the dugout, but not before letting out an audible sigh and speaking his mind.
"Man, what a boring game. It feels like I'm playing against robots with no personality or competitiveness."
His loud words drew the attention of the Fujimi players who were on their way to their own dugout. A few looked over with downcast expressions, while the catcher looked furious. He stormed over to Ken and got in his face.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
The catcher was short and stocky, only coming up to Ken's chin, yet he looked angry.
Ken raised his hands, not showing any signs of aggression in return.
"Hey man, I was just saying that a game like this isn't fun at all."
"Hah, fun? What's the point in having fun if you can't win? As long as we win the game then nothing else matters…" The short catcher scoffed, dismissing Ken's words.
"Those don't sound like your true feelings." Ken replied.
The catchers face flickered for a moment before his anger rose once again. "Shut up, we'll beat you by any means necessary. Even if it's not fun."
After those words, he began to walk away back to the dugout before the umpire intervened.
Ken stared at his back for a moment before replying. "Then why did you start baseball? Was it only to win?"
These words made the catcher pause for a moment, yet he continued walking back, ignoring the question.