The Genius Pitcher Dad Throws for His Daughter - Chapter 9

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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 9
#09.
After throwing the curveball, I was practically driven out of the Bullpen.
“Kang Ho-jin, the Manager is looking for you.”
“Yes, sir!”
It was none other than the Manager’s summons.
When I entered the Manager’s Office, he was looking at a calendar—one of the Busan Dolphins merchandise items—and gestured for me to approach.
“Sit down.”
“Yes, sir.”
When he asked if I wanted coffee or tea, I replied that water would be sufficient, and a bottle of mineral water was placed before me.
“You’ve been working hard lately.”
“Yes. There’s nothing else I can do but this.”
“Your daughter… all I can say is to hang in there.”
“That’s fine.”
Only the Manager, the Coach, and a few players knew that my daughter was in a coma.
I had been absent from the team so frequently, after all.
The Manager’s eyes held a look of sympathy, but I paid it no mind.
‘I just need to perform well.’
Only me.
Only I can treat my daughter.
And that treatment is progressing very steadily right now.
All I need to do is perform well.
“Hmm. So I just need to pitch as usual?”
I simply nodded at the Manager’s words.
I would pitch as usual, and from there, I would earn points.
“So you’re saying I can have you start against Sangmu on Saturday.”
At those words, I broke into a wide smile.
“Thank you.”
Starting was the closest thing to the conditions needed to earn points, so I accepted without hesitation.
The only issue was that it was against the Sangmu team, not another 2nd Team, but that didn’t matter.
I had been selected as the starter, and all I needed to do was prepare.
“Prepare well.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll prepare well.”
Leaving the Manager’s Office, I stood before the door and let out a sigh of relief.
Then I smiled slowly.
‘Sangmu… not bad at all.’
I had been curious about how far I could go with my refined pitching form and rejuvenated body, and a match against Sangmu—not some exhibition game—would be the perfect test.
If my abilities prove effective against them, who are closer to the 1st Team than anyone else, I can definitively assess the rank and power of my pitching arsenal.
‘I need to prepare.’
The most crucial information.
This is information about the Sangmu Baseball Team.
“Easy.”
Then I understood.
With this level of opponent, accumulating points would be straightforward. And I could definitely achieve the winning pitcher requirement of at least five innings.
Waiting for that day, I diligently honed my breaking pitches.
* * *
Sangmu Baseball Team.
A team created to allow active players to fulfill their military service obligations.
The service period is one year and six months. Short for civilians, but long for professional baseball players.
What’s truly terrifying about them is their “composition.”
Players with skills capable of competing in the 1st Team, promising prospects eager to complete their military service early, veteran players who missed opportunities but remain fully competitive—Sangmu is a team assembled from all these types.
Naturally, they rank first in the Southern League.
Composed of players capable of producing results even if promoted to the 1st Team immediately, they went on winning streaks after winning streaks, exuding momentum that seemed to pierce the heavens.
“Move quickly.”
“Proceed with precision—not a millimeter of error.”
Though they came here to fulfill their military service obligations, they were still soldiers.
The team moved hastily under the unfair yet inevitable treatment dictated by rank and seniority.
Naturally, their mouths were full of boastful remarks.
“Playing against the Dolphins of all teams?”
“Those Dolphins bastards still look pathetic?!”
“Why go this far against kids from the 1st Team, 2nd Team, and the bottom?”
“Ugh… I want to discharge already.”
Though it was a hierarchical military society, once they left this place, they would relate to each other as seniors and juniors, so there was considerable freedom in terms of etiquette and atmosphere regarding titles.
However, if they lost a game, finishing drills, cleanup, and mental education would follow, so they made every effort to win.
“So what about those Three Hitters?”
At someone’s question, everyone’s gaze turned in one direction.
Unlike anyone else, three people could be seen already engaged in training.
First, Kim Chae-jun of the Seoul Buffalo.
He entered the 1st Team immediately the year after being drafted as a rookie, a player with quick feet and an innate sense for stolen bases. Though his slugging percentage is low, his ability to shake up pitchers with clean, concise hits is exceptional, earning him the title of leadoff batter for the Seoul Buffalo.
Today too, he was warming up earnestly as if determined to shake up the pitcher.
Twitch. Twitch. Twitch.
Standing away from the base, he watched the pitcher while subtly shifting his body, signaling “Am I running?” as he fidgeted.
Next, Han Jun-gi of the Daejeon Phoenix.
With handsome features and long limbs, he has secured numerous female fans for the Daejeon Phoenix and plays shortstop for the team.
His skill is such that he consistently maintains a slash line of .345, and he provides solid fan service. However, before stepping onto the training field, he spends a full hour applying various sunscreen products to his face, and he prefers to train in the shade, so he stood apart swinging his bat quietly.
And finally, Baek Du-hwan of the Changwon Griffins.
As if proving the secret behind his hefty 130kg physique, he was stuffing food into his mouth on one side.
Though his massive frame makes him seem sluggish and slow, his innate flexibility combined with tremendous wrist strength and control allow him to produce home runs and extra-base hits abundantly—he currently leads the 2nd Team Futures League in home runs.
“One of them is cocky.”
“One of them is a prince.”
“One of them’s got a real appetite.”
All three of them were missing a screw or two, but one thing was certain—these three were the backbone of the Sangmu Baseball Team right now.
Each of them had steeled their resolve.
‘I’m going to attempt ten stolen bases today.’
‘I’ll show solid defense so the outfield doesn’t get exposed to the sun and let anyone escape.’
‘Maybe I’ll enjoy a delicious meal today too.’
The Sangmu Baseball Team was preparing for the game once again.
* * *
Sangmu Baseball Team.
A baseball field located in Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk, part of the Armed Forces Athletic Corps.
Since we had to come to a military base, several players who had completed their mandatory service shuddered in unison.
“Ugh, just seeing military uniforms gives me the chills.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear that correctly!”
“Hey! That’s PTSD talking!”
“Still, the food at our unit wasn’t too bad.”
“Why didn’t you just stay there permanently then?”
“How could the food there possibly be better than outside?”
“It’s strange—every time I come here, my whole body feels drained.”
“I think it’s because it feels like we’re back for reserve military training.”
Everyone tried their best not to turn their heads toward the military base, and they avoided making eye contact with it.
They waited quietly for the bus to stop, only moving once it came to a complete halt, and as they carried their bags into the baseball field, they didn’t even open their mouths—they just hurried inside.
Once they unpacked their gear in the locker room, gathered their equipment, and stepped onto the Ground, they spotted the Sangmu Baseball Team training, and their attention immediately focused on the Three Hitters gathered to one side.
“That guy’s doing it even when he’s not on base.”
“He became a legendary meme. He even appeared in the All-Star Game.”
“Wow… how does he maintain that skin while in the military?!”
“He probably still applies a lot of stuff to his face.”
“The one with the mole looks like he’s gained weight.”
Look at that bat—it looks vicious. Wherever he hits it, someone’s getting smashed.”
Everyone shook their heads as they watched the three hottest players on Sangmu.
Especially the pitchers—several of them frowned as if they’d witnessed something truly horrifying, and some of their faces were turning pale.
Then, in an instant, everyone’s gaze shifted in one direction.
At the end of that gaze stood Kang Ho-jin, checking his equipment piece by piece as he prepared for his starting pitch.
‘How is he going to manage this?’
‘Just when things were looking up, he has to face the worst possible opponents.’
‘If it were me, I’d fake an injury.’
‘It’s almost pitiful—all that confidence he built up is about to be completely shattered.’
They all thought the same thing.
No matter how much Kang Ho-jin had been on a winning streak until now, the moment he faced those three, he would become an ordinary pitcher, shaken by the terrifying assault of those three batters starting from the first inning, and he might very well collapse after that.
Contrary to their concerns, Kang Ho-jin was humming to himself.
“Hmm, hmm, hmm~.”
It was a look of anticipation for taking the Mound, a face lit up with excitement all on its own.
* * *
Top of the first inning.
Our Team’s batter was helpless against it.
“Swing, batter’s out!”
All three batters struck out.
Though not a perfect inning of three pitches and three strikeouts, the Busan Dolphins batters’ momentum seemed to waver slightly after being held to just 14 pitches in that inning.
“Shall I go?”
“Please, Senior.”
In that atmosphere, I now ascended to the Mound.
The Sangmu Baseball Stadium is vastly larger than the Byeokje Baseball Stadium, which was once the home field of the Police Baseball Team. It rivals the Jamsil Baseball Stadium, said to be the largest in South Korea.
With a center fence at 123 meters, compared to Jamsil Baseball Stadium’s 125 meters, it falls short by only 2 meters. In essence, it’s a field no different from playing at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.
At Byeokje Baseball Stadium, what would be a home run becomes a routine fly ball here, so hitting a home run in this place is practically equivalent to hitting one at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.
‘That’s why Baek Du-hwan is so formidable.’
Using this as his home field while pursuing the Futures League home run title speaks volumes about the magnitude of his raw power.
But it has nothing to do with me.
Indeed, today I have no reason to fear Baek Du-hwan and the Sangmu Baseball Team’s first, second, and third batters.
‘I’ve faced them many times already.’
The Three Hitters—possessing skill comparable to the 1st Team.
They joined the 1st Team immediately after discharge and were active during that time; I too completed my rehabilitation and took the professional stage to face them.
And today’s game will show the results.
“Play ball.”
With the umpire’s call, I threw an opening curve to Kim Chae-jun, the leadoff batter.
Tick—!
“Damn!”
Anyone could hear the sound of a foul contact, and a curse escaped naturally, followed by words that came to mind just as easily.
“Out!”
Groundball to the shortstop for an out.
A strong start.

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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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