The Genius Pitcher Dad Throws for His Daughter - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 101
#101.
I invested another point in fastball velocity.
That leaves me with 6 points remaining.
From here on out, I need to use these points wisely and strategically.
‘The season is long, after all.’
Out of 144 games, I’ve only pitched in 5 so far.
Today is my sixth game, and considering how many games remain, it makes sense to invest these 6 remaining points in my growth throughout the season.
‘I’d love to reach 160 km, but…’
I was tempted for a moment, but I held back.
There’s no real reason to be throwing 160 km fastballs right now.
I’m already more than capable of shutting down opposing batters with what I have.
“Swing! Batter’s out!”
With the Umpire’s call, the second batter steps back from the plate.
Today’s opponent is the Gocheok Unicorns.
Last year, they ultimately lost to us and plummeted to last place, and this year hasn’t been much better for them either.
So far, the Unicorns’ record stands at 1 win and 4 losses.
They won their opening game, then fell into a losing streak right after. Given that their injury list remains unchanged from the end of last season, this record is hardly surprising.
The only reason they haven’t dropped to tenth place is thanks to the Changwon Griffins, who’ve been reeling from a shutout loss on opening day and haven’t recovered since.
In any case, the Unicorns came to Sajik Baseball Stadium determined to snap their losing streak.
But from the start, they were overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere.
Until just last year, Sajik Baseball Stadium had been noticeably sparse with empty seats. The Dolphins’ poor performance was partly to blame, and there was also the miracle of the 5% last season two years ago.
But today, not only were all seats sold out, the Third Base Stands were packed to capacity as well. The Unicorns fans looked as pitiful as a single blade of grass growing on a vast sandy beach.
With almost no cheering from the fans, the batter stepped into the Batter’s Box.
I unleashed a powerful four-seam fastball right from the first pitch.
“Strike!”
My 158 km fastball came in tight on the batter’s body, catching the edge of the strike zone.
The batter’s face darkened. As a left-handed batter facing a left-handed pitcher, an inside pitch was practically a threatening throw.
But I didn’t hesitate and continued attacking inside.
The reason was simple.
‘You can’t dodge what you can’t avoid!’
Ultimately, a pitcher’s job is to get batters out.
So to get outs, I have to throw strikes whether it’s inside or outside—I don’t discriminate. Therefore, I pitch aggressively both inside and outside.
A curveball at the lower inside corner.
Myung-su, ready as ever, pounds his glove with his fist.
I couldn’t help but smile at that.
Just moments ago, he’d been tense, but after getting one out, he seemed to be settling in and regaining his composure.
So this time, I drove the ball straight into Home Plate.
“Swing! Two strikes!”
The bat swung from below as if he was aiming for the curve, but the pitch I just threw was a fastball straight down the middle. There was no way he could hit it.
After rolling around and receiving a fresh ball, I quickly pressed the pitch com.
Upper four-seam fastball inside.
Could anyone resist swinging at an appetizing pitch coming right at eye level after watching the ball sink into Home Plate? I don’t think so.
“Ball!”
But he held back?
Then what if I throw it again?
“Swing! Batter’s out!”
There were variables, but it unfolded as expected.
As I came down from the Mound and headed toward the Dugout, a massive roar erupted from near the Right Fielder’s defensive area.
“Oh…”
Surprisingly, large boards with “K” written on them were being planted in succession there, not sketch pads.
K. K. K.
From this, I could gauge my performance in the top of the first inning.
Pitch count: ten.
A very smooth start.
* * *
“Phew…”
Hyun Myung-su was nervous today as well.
And today’s nervousness was far more intense than last time, elevated to an entirely different level.
“I really need to do well today…”
Today was a special day.
While there was the symbolism of the opening game at Sajik Baseball Stadium, what made Hyun Myung-su truly nervous was that his family had come to the Baseball Stadium today.
His Wife, his child, and both sets of Parents.
A total of six family members had come to the Baseball Stadium.
Naturally, it was Hyun Myung-su who had gone to greet them.
“Mi-young! Jun-woo!”
At the sight of Hyun Myung-su searching for his Wife and son first, his Parents clicked their tongues.
“They say raising children is pointless. He’s looking for his wife and kid first.”
“He used to say his son was the best. When he was taking photos with players and getting autographs.”
“Ahem. When did I ever?”
“Last year! December!”
Hyun Myung-su’s biological Parents bickered back and forth, while his Father-in-law and Mother-in-law watched with familiarity from beside them.
“Still, thanks to our Hyun, we get to sit in such a good spot and watch.”
“That’s right. I’ve never sat in a place like this before.”
Hyun Myung-su’s Father-in-law and Mother-in-law were delighted.
Today’s seats were in the Central Cheering Table Seats, which were typically allocated first to players’ families or those connected to the Baseball World.
Even when there were occasionally empty seats, the competition was so fierce that such seats were rarely obtainable, so they were grateful to be sitting here thanks to Hyun Myung-su.
Unaware of what both sets of Parents were saying, Hyun Myung-su attended to his son and Wife.
“Did you have any trouble getting here?”
“It’s nearby, so no trouble. Jun-woo is just a bit overwhelmed.”
“Oh my, our son. Were you startled by all the people and noise outside?”
Myung-su, who expressed boundless affection toward his child, was delighted.
Jun-woo, now fifteen months old, wore a slightly startled expression.
Yet his eyes sparkled with curiosity as he eagerly surveyed his surroundings, occasionally reaching out to express his desire to explore.
Naturally, he showed no interest in his father.
“Do well.”
“I will. I’ll do my best.”
“Da-da!”
Buoyed by his wife’s encouragement and his son’s voice, Myung-su gathered his resolve and prepared for the game.
Yet that very support made me tense again, trembling as much as I had on opening day.
‘I need to stay focused in moments like this.’
Still, having trembled badly once before, I calmed myself quickly this time.
As I headed to the ground in the top of the first inning, I didn’t forget to wave at my son. And when I received the first pitch in sync with Ho-jin, I let out an exclamation of admiration.
‘Does Ho-jin Senior not get nervous?’
I genuinely thought he was remarkable.
I found it admirable that he trained and practiced relentlessly to overcome personal hardships, but what truly amazed me was how he pitched steadily without wavering on such a grand stage.
Most of all, despite the recent commotion over pitching inside, he showed the audacity to pitch inside without hesitation, and seeing his velocity increase slightly was nothing short of astounding.
‘I just need to do well. Just me.’
As his dedicated catcher, I drove myself harder with each pitch, whipping myself forward.
Was it thanks to that?
Though I struck out on a shortstop groundball in my first at-bat due to nerves, by the time I prepared for my second at-bat, I felt my mind had become much calmer.
‘This at-bat. I’m definitely hitting.’
I steeled my resolve.
My wife, who suffered not only because I remained in the 2nd Team and couldn’t earn proper money, but also because I failed to support her properly during her pregnancy and couldn’t be by her side after Jun-woo was born, struggling to raise him alone.
On top of that, she was the kind of wife who, when there was a Spring Training opportunity last year, actively pushed me to go despite my hesitation.
I wanted to show her today that I was a husband she could be proud of.
It was the moment I moved to head to the On-deck Circle.
“Myung-su.”
“Yes, Senior.”
When Myung-su looked at the senior he respected and admired, he smiled faintly and spoke.
“Watch for a slider on the second and third pitches.”
“A slider?”
“Yeah, it worked in your first at-bat. They might try it again.”
Ho-jin said it wasn’t certain, just a hunch, and Myung-su decided to trust him.
Stepping into the batter’s box, the first pitch came flying.
“Strike!”
The pitch aimed at the lower inside corner was called a strike.
It seemed slightly low, but hearing the call, I could only step back with regret.
And on the second pitch, just as Ho-jin predicted, a slider came flying.
“Ball.”
It was a pitch that completely missed the strike zone, and I was grateful I hadn’t extended the bat. I stepped back from the batter’s box.
I pulled my gloves back on, finished my preparations, and looked toward where my son was sitting.
Seeing my son’s bright, eager eyes fixed on me filled me with strength. I could also see my Wife beside him, hands clasped together in prayer as she watched.
‘Let’s commit to this swing.’
I expected another slider and would swing with everything I had.
To show my Wife and son something magnificent, and for myself—to continue playing well.
As I stepped into the batter’s box, the pitcher entered his wind-up.
As a Foreign Pitcher and the team’s ace, he had excellent velocity and control, but in this moment, I wanted to be the greatest player on the field.
While waiting in the batter’s box, I could have sworn I heard my son’s voice.
“Dad.”
At that same instant, the pitcher released the ball, and I swung.
Anticipating a trajectory just outside the strike zone, I unleashed a powerful uppercut swing.
Crack!
The moment contact was made, the pitcher didn’t turn to watch—he hung his head. The electric sensation that shot through my hands made me flip the bat upward.
Whoosh. Thud!
As the bat fell to the ground, I tracked the ball’s final destination and immediately sprinted toward First Base.
I touched First Base, rounded Second Base, tagged Third Base, and looked up toward the cheering section where my Wife and Jun-woo were, extending my hand toward them.
Then I shouted.
“Mi-young! Jun-woo! Dad hit a home run!”
And in response to my words, the crowd at Sajik Baseball Stadium roared.
“Myung-su! Myung-su!”
Score: 0-1.
The Busan Dolphins had taken the lead.
* * *
The moment Myung-su’s home run soared, fire ignited in the Dolphins’ batting order.
The Foreign Mercenary Pitchers had allowed only two hits through five innings while giving up no runs, but after the home run, they began to crumble, surrendering seven runs in a single inning.
In that stretch, Myung-su stepped up to the plate once more, delivering a two-run double that showcased his peak batting form, and he pumped his fist toward the cheering section.
With a 0-7 score at his back, Kang Ho-jin pitched like a madman from that point forward.
He attacked fearlessly, aggressively targeting only the strike zone.
Though he was naturally an aggressive pitcher, today he increased the proportion of four-seam fastballs, pitching fast and hard, and despite allowing scattered hits, he held the mound through nine innings.
Nine innings, zero runs allowed.
106 pitches, 10 strikeouts, 7 hits allowed, 0 walks.
He secured another complete-game shutout victory, his second consecutive, and the Team Owner watching from the VIP Room applauded with joy.
The team that had declared a rebuild was simply too strong.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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