Bab 81: 81. Coordination

Rei went straight towards the field as classes ended. He changed his clothes and came out ready for exercise. Getting the exercises done, Coach allotted everyone their personal training and asked Rei and Suzaku to remain.

"Ok, both of you will start doing your coordination training. Rei I want you to think about how you can make his pitches better and all the ways you can use them. I know you still don't have an in-game experience, but still try your best."

Rei nodded and Iwata continued, "Ok now go and change to your gear. We both will be waiting for you in the bullpen."

Rei simply went towards the lockers and took out his gear wearing it. He came back into the bullpen and saw the coach with a speed gun in his hands near the plate, Suzaku was doing extra stretches to get better.

Rei went near the plate and got into his posture stretching his hands and fingers.

"Ok now that Rei is here, Suzaku, start throwing pitches at full speed. Throw with your maximum speed not worrying about your control right at the mitt. while Rei tries to catch those balls."

Both of them nodded when they heard Iwata and got ready. Taking a deep breath Rei started to concentrate his best and saw Suzaku winding up in his form and released the ball. He saw the ball coming at him with great speed compared to his pitches before and. He opened his glove ready to catch it.

The ball suddenly broke to the extreme right and Rei immediately followed it's course and caught it. He stopped the ball and noticed it was too far for him to even use his pitch-framing skills to bring it in.

Iwata nodded at his reflection and checked the speed in the speed gun. Rei threw the ball back and Suzaku caught it. Seeing no signs from the coach to stop he took a deep breath and got ready to throw some more at full speed.

Rei got back into his posture and decided to keep more focus on it. The next ball came as fast as the last one and this time it sank and dropped onto the home plate before it bounced onto Rei's chest guard. Rei quickly took the ball and threw it back.

Suzaku continued to throw more pitches and all of them were wild horses, completely untamed. The pitches were completely all over the place giving quite a challenge to Rei but within his limits.

Iwata continued to see each pitch and stopped Suzaku after he got an idea of his avg best speed.

"Ok now stop throwing and relax your arm. Your speed is around the early 80s which is good, but can't utilize it properly because of the control you got there."

Suzaku sat down and Rei got up as they listened to Iwata. They understood Suzaku's power if he could control it. Rei could also say he was pretty quick even if it wasn't as quick as Izumi, but enough for a middle schooler to be recognized.

Suzaku could only nod at Iwata's words and clench his hand tight enough to dig his nails deep. He wanted more control and perfect it with his insane pitch but it was always very tough for him.

"It's ok we have 5 to 6 more months left and at present, you can probably only control your pitches at a speed of 73 to 75. Try to get it up to the late 70s these 5 months and remember practice makes a man perfect. So don't rush yourself into it." Said Iwata, seeing his frustrated ace.

Suzaku loosened his hands as he heard Iwata He wanted to aim for the nationals like Rei said and knew he could only practice harder.

"Ok now rest up for 5 minutes and we can start with your training again." and walked out to see the rest of the players.

Both of them sat in silence not muttering a word.

"Don't worry senpai, I will help you all the way." aid Rei.

Suzaku nodded and did not reply. After 5 minutes Iwata came back and they got up. Rei wore his mask once again and went near the plate to get ready. He started stretching again to get more flexible and sat.

"Ok now Suzaku, now your main focus is to throw into Rei's mitt. Keep the ball under control and pitch. Rei you will try to understand Suzaku's pitching style this time. Try to understand the best way you can come up with his pitches."

Both of them nodded as Iwata once again stood near Rei to observe the pitches coming in. Suzaku closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and only concentrated on how to control his pitches. He opened his eyes and saw Rei keeping the mitt right in the middle.

He saw his target and slowly started to wind up and threw the ball at a controlled pace. The ball went straight into the mitt at the center and he released his breath in relief. Iwata noticed the speed and confirmed Suaku can control his pitch in the mid-70s.

Rei threw the ball back and this time he framed the pitch to the lower right corner as the target. Suzaku slowly winded his hand in his form and pitched the ball and this time the ball went a bit more outside then aimed but Rei was able to pitch frame it instantly when he noticed this.

This went unnoticed by Iwata who was looking at the pitch. Rei sighed in relief when he understood Iwata did not recognize his skill. He now understood Suzaku's pitching better. Suzaku was not at all good when it came to pitching at the corners.

Rei did not confirm this yet so he threw the ball back. This time he placed the mitt on the right side middle and he was able to receive it dead one. Rei slowly confirmed his theory as he continued to catch a few more balls until Iwata stopped them noticing the time was up.

"Ok now that is enough for today, you guys can continue tomorrow." and walked away.

Rei stood up and made his way towards the lockers with Suzaku. He noticed the others were also coming back from their training. He went to his locker and changed his clothes.

"How was training today?" he asked when he noticed Daichi changing.

"It was fine. How was your together with Akihiko-senpai?"

"It was fine, the coach made us focus on our coordination."

Daichi nodded and both of them continued to talk as they walked out after they changed. Rei noticed Suzaku with Akira by the side and went towards him followed by Daichi.

"Akihiko-senpai I need to talk to you about today's training."

"Oh go ahead Rei. What do you want to say?"

"Senpai I noticed your control is worse when it comes to pitching in the corners and the ball goes outside and can be called a ball."

Suzaku was surprised and asked, "You noticed today in practice?"

Rei nodded and continued, "Yes Senpai, I think we should mainly concentrate on pitching to the inside and outside and also utilize the corners well for these upcoming months. This can be a weapon we can use in matches."

Suzaku nodded and went into deep thoughts hearing this. He knew he did not have enough control to pitch some breaking balls at the moment and can only use fastballs, so this was a very attractive idea for him.

Akira was surprised to hear Rei's observations only after a day of practice with Suzaku. He thought about his excellent observation skills.

"Ok then Rei, let's concentrate on this for now. We will talk to the coach tomorrow and ask him for advice on this. If I can control my pitches even at the corners we would have better chances too"

Rei nodded and said, "Ok senpai, we will ask the coach about it tomorrow. For now, I will take my leave." and walked away from the three.

Rei made his way towards the gate and saw Mizuki and Keiko waiting for him. All three of them slowly made their way home talking about various things they did.

Rei reached home and went to get a warm bath. He took a seat on the couch together with Sora after he was done

"Sora how quick is Izumi's pitching speed?"

"His best is the probably late 80s but he can only control until mid-80s."

Rei nodded as he understood Izumi's top speed and was surprised at the speed he could control at. After dinner, Rei went back to his room and completed his homework before he started his batting swing practice,

He decided to do alternative days together with his usual stance training. He swung the bat for 2 hours until his arms felt heavier and slowly massaged his arms to ease the pain which kicked in when he stopped.

He turned the lights off and slowly slept.