After Coach Tahara submitted the list of selected recruits, he put the matter aside.
The Autumn Tournament in the Tokyo area was in full swing. Ichidai Third High School had just advanced to the quarterfinals, and their next opponent was Nioh Gakusha, another powerhouse. This was a formidable opponent. Even if Ichidai Third went all out, they couldn't guarantee a victory.
At this time, Tahara couldn't concern himself with future matters.
However, the day before the quarterfinal match, he received a reply from the school's admissions office. The reply contained four names: Amahisa Kousei, Sasaki, Adachi, and Ogawa.
Zhang Han and another player were excluded from the list.
"This is outrageous!"
As for the other player, it didn't matter. Whatever the admissions office's considerations were, if they didn't want him, then they didn't want him. Given the profound depth of Ichidai Third High School's resources, they weren't desperate for a player who would at most reach the level of a second-string substitute.
But Zhang Han was different.
Although his raw talent didn't reach the absolute top tier, he had developed it very well. Predicting the opponent's next move through action anticipation was something almost every player attempted, but being able to predict accurately was highly unusual.
It was like a soccer goalkeeper saving a penalty kick. You have three choices: dive left, dive right, or stay put. A skilled goalkeeper reads the opponent's body language to increase their success rate.1
Zhang Han's anticipation was even more outstanding. Judging by his hitting data, this guy almost never misjudged the pitching location. He could always determine the direction of the opponent's pitch. There was just one ball he didn't hit, and even then, he had guessed the location correctly; his swing just couldn't keep up with the break.
Therefore, Coach Tahara was 100% certain that Zhang Han had great potential. Even if he was ordinary in other aspects, as long as he had this unique skill, he would become an important asset.
Moreover, Tahara had watched Zhang Han's game footage from Matsukata Senior League. Although Zhang Han wasn't as flashy as other stars, his role was crucial. Without him, it would have been impossible for Matsukata to reach the national finals.
To dominate the nation, a talented pitcher and leader are core necessities, but utility players like Zhang Han are indispensable.
And those scoundrels in the admissions department just said they didn't want him.
"Which scoundrel made this decision? I'm going to find him right now!"
"Coach, please don't get angry. Tomorrow is our quarterfinal match. How about we discuss this after the game?"
"Will a player like that just wait there for us indefinitely? Do you really think the admissions officers of other teams are fools? It's not just us who have private tryouts. If Zhang Han continues to be messed around like this, we won't have any regrets to buy."
Watching Coach Tahara storm out angrily, the Assistant Coach was helpless. He instructed the players to prepare for the quarterfinal, then rushed to follow his superior.
Coach Tahara usually seemed easy to talk to, always smiling. But if you thought he had no temper, you'd be greatly mistaken. He was a coach with a childish streak; if something displeased him, he wouldn't handle it like an adult. He might resort to direct action. The relationship between the Baseball Club and admissions was already tense, and this would make it worse.
"Are you all idiots to turn away a player like this? Are his grades not up to par? Even if his grades don't meet the standard, it's no big deal. Haven't many players who graduated from our school gone on to professional baseball? You shouldn't reject people for the sake of the school's reputation."
Coach Tahara was fuming.
The chubby teacher in charge of admissions was no better off.
"What kind of people are you Baseball Club guys recruiting? We are Ichidai Third High School. Who wouldn't flock to us when we talk about special admissions? And look at this player you chose; he insisted on considering it and even asked what benefits our school offered! Does our Ichidai Third High School rely on benefits for recruitment?"
Ichidai Third High School and Inashiro Industrial were elite schools. Even if they had to compromise with the Baseball Club for special admission slots, there were significant limitations regarding grades and benefits.
Among all the powerhouse high schools, Ichidai San's benefits were relatively the fewest. It wasn't that they lacked money, but rather that they had confidence. Did Ichidai Third need to offer bribes? Just announcing their name would have students breaking down their doors.
"So his grades are fine?"
Coach Tahara became even more agitated. He wondered how the brains of these people in the admissions office were wired. They recognized nothing but prestige. If they were unwilling to offer even a small benefit, how could they attract the best talent?
In the past decade, Inashiro Industrial had risen from struggling to becoming a top powerhouse by relying on two things: reputation and a willingness to spend money.
"Bring me his transcript! I want to see it!"
If it wasn't because of his grades, then what was it? Coach Tahara wondered suspiciously.