Elite high schools have their own elite rules.
Here, freshmen have no human rights.
Before the school officially starts, upperclassmen and freshmen who received special admission arrive early to undergo training. The second and third-year seniors get to practice swinging, pitching, fielding, and even play limited practice games. It looks incredibly enjoyable.
However, the newcomers have been running. Running, and doing various basic exercises.
Although everyone knows the importance of basic training, the specially admitted students of Seido High School are all Aces and cleanup hitters from various schools. A significant proportion of them even came from Little League. They are not beginners; they already have a foundation and considerable strength.
Yet, they are forced to do basic physical training. It's easy to imagine how frustrated they feel.
"I really want to swing too, damn it!"
This is probably what the freshmen, especially the special admits, want to say most.
But Seido has rules, and everyone has more or less accepted a scholarship. When you take their money, you follow their rules. Furthermore, since all newcomers receive the same treatment, they can't really complain.
This torture lasted for several days, until the newcomers' team entry test.
More than forty newcomers took the test together, including the specially admitted players and those who joined through general selection. Everyone was fuming, especially the players who considered themselves skilled. They were all holding back, desperate to perform well.
Among them, of course, was Zhang Han.
Before entering high school, Zhang Han specifically visited Coach Ono Binchi's home to thank him for his guidance over the years.
Ono Binchi entertained him at his home. This is very rare in Tokyo. Generally, if friends or colleagues gather, they go out and split the bill. This is a world of difference from China. In Zhang Han's hometown, if someone invites you to eat out, it usually means the relationship isn't close enough. If the relationship is close, meals are definitely held at home.
The fact that Ono Binchi hosted Zhang Han like this showed his feelings were truly extraordinary.
During the meal, Ono Binchi gave Zhang Han advice.
"Don't think that just because you've entered an elite high school, everything will be fine. Not to mention that Seido's performance hasn't been ideal these past few years. Even if you entered Ichidai Third High School, it doesn't mean you're guaranteed to make it to Koshien. First, you need to become a First-string player. This path alone is full of hardships."
"After becoming a First-string player, you still need to continue to improve yourself and help your teammates. In short, you need to form a baseball team that can play and win games. Just these two points are already extremely difficult."
"And even if you do well in these two points, you may not necessarily stand out. Who told you that the place you are in is called Tokyo? Even if you put in effort, you may not necessarily reap rewards. Heroes stand side by side here. To break through, even Inashiro and Teito wouldn't dare guarantee it one hundred percent."
"Take it one step at a time. First, you need to stand out among players of the same age. If you can, in your first year, let the Director and coaching staff see your potential. Then the benefits for you will be unimaginable. Even if Seido High School hasn't made it to Koshien these past few years, they still have players selected during the professional draft every year. If you pay attention, you'll find that all these players entered the First-string lineup before the summer of their first year."
Even with the same potential, different cultivation methods lead to vastly different results. Elite high schools are huge training grounds. Those who stand out are the elites, and the earlier it happens, the better.
Ono Binchi's words were truly heartfelt. Zhang Han was deeply moved and solemnly promised to live up to his expectations. As long as he had the chance, he would make a splash.
Ideals are lofty, but reality is harsh.
After entering the Seido High School Baseball Team, Zhang Han realized the difficulty far exceeded his imagination.
He wasn't the only one who understood this principle; the players who traveled from all over the country to Tokyo to play baseball all shared that determination. They were all holding back, wanting to make a splash.
And the opportunities left for newcomers were pitifully few.
According to the seniors who graduated from Matsukata, newcomers only have three opportunities in total. Before the Summer Tournament, each newcomer only has two or three chances to prove himself. Each time, the duration is very short.
If you cannot seize these opportunities, you cannot enter the First-string before the Summer Tournament. After the tournament begins, jersey numbers are issued, leaving even less chance.
First, the team entry test. Only those who perform excellently here can attract the attention of the Director and coaching staff. With so many newcomers, who would specifically pay attention to you otherwise?
Second, the freshman welcome game. Those players who are noticed will get more opportunities during this game. Of course, some players are game-type players who perform mediocrely in tests but shine in games. Regardless, performing well here might get you into the First-string or the second team.
You must at least become a second-team player to have the third opportunity: representing Seido High School in practice games. The coaching staff will only consider keeping players who achieve results in practice games for the First-string.
Zhang Han was relatively lucky; his roommate, Senior Kusunoki, was from Matsukata Little League. Moreover, Kusunoki had a delicate appearance and, along with Zhang Han, was formerly known as Matsukata's Flower Boy Duo. Their relationship was close.
Although Kusunoki was currently still in Seido's second team, he was thoroughly familiar with Seido's situation. Facing his juniors, he selflessly told everything to Zhang Han and Ono Hiroshi.
Ono Hiroshi was Zhang Han's partner from Matsukata, the team's catcher. His strength was formidable.
Originally, when Zhang Han heard Ono had received an invitation from Inashiro, he thought he had gone there. Unexpectedly, this guy came to Seido without a word. At that time, Zhang Han was very moved, thinking that Ono came for him.
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