Coach Kataoka, as AJ remembered him, was a man of iron will with a soft heart. Indeed, he was very strict, with a high-pressure coaching style, always appearing cold and ruthless. But in AJ's view, Coach Kataoka's essence was a man whose emotions outweighed his rationality!
Otherwise, there would be no explanation for why Coach Kataoka still didn't give up on Sawamura after the Summer Koshien, during his performance before the autumn tournament.
Perhaps some people disagree, thinking how could Coach Kataoka, with his cold demeanor when executing his teaching style and commanding games, be soft-hearted? He only does what is beneficial for the team. If a player negatively impacts the team, he will replace him without hesitation. Isn't that too cold?
Indeed, it might seem very cold, but isn't that a different kind of tenderness?
For a team's Coach, the overall interest of the team is the most crucial. Every major competition concerns the fate of the entire team!
Koshien! It is the goal they have strived for two and a half years! High school only offers a few years of opportunity, and most people can only participate in one major competition! That is during their third year.
As the team's Coach, shouldn't he be responsible for this? Coldness is inevitable, and rationality when commanding games is also a must!
And the tenderness of Kataoka lies precisely in his attitude towards players when it's not game time. He is consistent, teaches according to individual aptitude, does not treat you specially because of your genius, and does not ignore you because of your mediocrity. This is where Kataoka's tenderness lies!
At least, that's what AJ believes.
At exactly 5:30, almost all the Baseball Club members had arrived at the designated field. The second and third-year veterans lined up together, and the freshmen lined up together. It was obvious that everyone had their hands clasped behind their backs, standing at attention, their postures erect!
A burly man wearing sunglasses with a resolute, square-shaped face appeared within AJ's field of vision, accompanied by an intellectual woman and a slightly plump man.
AJ knew that these were the three leaders of the Seido High School Baseball Club: Kataoka Tesshin! Rei Takashima, and Ota! Well, AJ admitted that, in his opinion, the assistant Coach Ota next to them was simply a redundant existence...
He had no presence whatsoever in commanding or influencing the team. However, he was still the team's assistant Coach, so AJ would not show any unnecessary expressions on the surface.
Coach Kataoka's cold gaze swept over the freshmen present, and immediately, the freshmen felt their breathing tighten. The man named Kataoka had a strong deterrent effect on them, even AJ, at first sight, had his mind captivated by Coach Kataoka.
That sharp gaze was not something just anyone could possess.
If someone said Kataoka came from the military, AJ would believe it now; that resolute military aura on Kataoka was so obvious.
"Are these all the freshmen who applied to join the club this year?" Kataoka's cold gaze fixed on the freshmen, and he spoke in a chilly tone, completely lacking the attitude a high school teacher should have, like a tyrant of a kingdom.
Well, this was Seido High School's nationally renowned Coach Kataoka!
"Yes!" All the freshmen present responded with full vigor. For them, leaving a good impression on the Coach was a very important matter.
"Hmm, then, let's have a self-introduction now." Kataoka raised his eyebrow slightly and said indifferently, with his hands clasped behind his back.
"From XX Junior High, my name is XX, and I hope to be a fielder! Please guide me."
"XX...."
Following the order from left to right, introductions were made one by one. AJ had roughly scanned the group before coming; there were about 30 freshmen in this class, excluding that clumsy, latecomer. Some were specially recruited, and others entered through general exams and then applied to join the Baseball Club.
"From Matsukata Junior Baseball! Kanemaru Shinji! My desired position is Third Base! Please guide me." At this moment, a voice caught AJ's attention. Kanemaru Shinji! Hmm, another key player appeared. AJ secretly glanced sideways with his eyes.
The image of a capable young man with short brown hair appeared in AJ's sight.
Next...
"From Matsukata Junior Baseball! Tojo Hideaki! My desired position is Pitcher! Please guide me."
"Oh, oh, Matsukata, that's the team that made it to the national top four this year, right?"
"That's right, that Tojo was the ace Pitcher of that team. To think two players from Matsukata came to Seido."
"Yeah, usually players from Matsukata seem to go to Inashiro, or Ichidai."
Unexpectedly, and yet as expected, Tojo and Kanemaru attracted everyone's attention. It was no wonder, as the junior high school they attended was a nationally renowned powerhouse.
Soon, it was AJ's turn.
AJ smiled slightly, making his posture even more erect, and said in a clear voice: "I come from Philippines. I didn't play in any official games in junior high. I hope to receive the most formal training in Japan and become a true Baseball player! I don't have a specific preferred position! I hope to try out my possibilities as much as possible!"
AJ gave a simple introduction with a relatively long speech, a faint smile on his face, subtly revealing his slightly arrogant ambition.
Indeed, in the eyes of the older students, AJ's statement was the epitome of arrogance. No specific preferred position? Trying out his possibilities? This kid is really audacious.
Only a certain fierce-eyed guy among the third-years, upon hearing AJ's statement, had his previously drowsy mind instantly clear up, and his eyes lit up as he looked at AJ.
He stroked his chin and chuckled, "This kid is very similar to Tetsu back in the day. Heh, it seems this year's freshmen have some interesting characters."
"Philippines?"
"This kid is really Arrogant."
"Try every position? Someone like that definitely won't make it into the first string. No, even the second string will be tough."
"He hasn't even played in a proper official game, and he dares to speak like that."
The people nearby were all discussing AJ's statement in low voices. It wasn't that AJ wanted to make a splash or act arrogantly; he was simply stating the truth.
This was indeed his reason for coming to Japan. Moreover, up until now, he had only been learning Baseball rules, related knowledge, and doing basic training.
AJ wasn't very worried about other intensive training. From elementary school to junior high, he only trained his physical strength, endurance, and his feel for the bat!
Junior high was soft Baseball, high school is hard Baseball. AJ wasn't worried about not keeping up with his peers. He knew that if he built a solid foundation and worked steadily, he would definitely achieve the results he desired!
So, he openly expressed his inner thoughts. Kataoka Tesshin looked deeply at AJ; the calm and composed expression on the young man's face made Kataoka's impression of him slightly deeper...
Just as AJ finished his introduction and was waiting for the next self-introduction, a reflection from a certain corner caught AJ's attention...