「Oh, this is a good arrangement for putting number six after number 1. However if there is a runner on the first or second base, it would be better to make the batter hit it to the right.」
「Hou? Why is that?」
「When there is a runner on the first or second base, it is said that if the batter hits to the right, it is more difficult for the ball to be caught. Even if the ball rolls in front of the right fielder, it will be difficult for him to throw to the 3rd base unless he’s very skilled.」
「Hmm, interesting. Then, let me think about it some more.」
Spinner-shi took the paper away from me and began to work on the batting order again while watching the game progress.
Eventually, he continued to work on the order until the very last minute of the next game, often asking me for commentary……
Just before the game started, I had to run to the umpires to deliver the order.
And so, in the next game, the Schenkers Great Scorpions, with their well thought out batting order and a line up that was too strong to begin with, achieved a record 18-2 victory over the West Street’s Green Caps……
For some reason, Spinner-shi, who was supposed to be on a day trip, ended up staying overnight in Torquiva that day.
-0-
The next day, I received a message from Spinner-shi’s attendant saying that he would be staying with us for a little longer.
I didn’t know how many days he’ll stay so I extended his room at the hotel where he was staying.
He is a leading figure in the theater world of the royal capital so I guess he thought it would be good to relax in the countryside once in a while.
He also asked me about access to the baseball stadium so I arranged for him to use my owner’s seat at any time he wishes.
Well, if he’s going to stay here, I want him to watch not only the commoner’s league but also the flashy noble’s league.
Well, it was all good up to that point.
The problem happened about a week later, after our team had lost a lot of games as usual.
The slightly sunburned Spinner-shi suddenly arrived at our house at dinnertime while the children were fussing.
「Spinner-sama, if you don’t mind, why don’t you join us for dinner?」
「No, I’m fine……but I have to ask you something!」
He came closer and closer, looking somewhat angry and impatient, and involuntarily stepped back as far as I could.
「A-about what………?」
「What do you think about the recent work of the great scorpions……?」
「Eh? Great scorpions? No, our team has always been like that……」
「NO! That team shouldn’t be like that! They can do more, much more!」
He clenched his fists and insisted strongly as he was pushing me further and further.
However, even if you say that, if they can’t win, they won’t win.
The noble’s team, the Slayra White Beams, is no different but it’s not my fault that both are weak……
「That team has no fixed members…….it won’t be easy like last time……」
Perhaps what Spinner-shi is trying to say is that he wants to see another big win like the one from the other day?
However, I don’t have enough time to leverage on great scorpions to make it win.
The team is only for the recreational purposes of our people……
There are no set practices, no regular competitions, and to put it simply, it’s the loosest team in existence.
As I was thinking about this, Spinner-shi took one more step forward and muttered something in a whisper.
「…..if…..」
「Eh? What did you just say?」
I wondered.
I thought it was rude to ask but he’s getting closer and closer.
「I might be able to make that team win more!!」
My ears perked up as Spinner-shi clenched his fists tight, and said that out loud that it even echoed through the lobby of our house.
I could hear the children’s cries echoing from somewhere in the house and the sound of people rushing through the lobby.
「Rather than leaving it as it is, please let me take care of it!」
This great noble just started shaking me until someone comes……
I could feel my back getting wet with sweat from something other than the heat.
-0-
AN: I had a pylori surgery and was in bed for over a week. I thought I was going to die……
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