Chương 5: 5.Training

( Rei POV )

When I turned my head to look at shirogana-san I could see he is also starting at me. I didn't know what to say to him and I still didn't recover from meeting my idol. He then suddenly said, "Rei-Kun can stop calling me Shirogana-san instead call me Oji-san(uncle) it would sound better."

I then looked at him for some time and told, " Ok Oji-san.". I could feel my face burn up from embarrassment.

He then smiled at me and said, "Ok now that's good to hear"

He then turned serious and asked, "So, Rei-Kun tell me why do you think that the catcher is an awesome position."

Hearing him asking the question I said the same answer I told my dad, "I think that being a catcher it allows us to see the whole field and control the gameplay by ordering the pitcher."

He then said, "You should first understand that only when a pitcher and a catcher have utmost trust on each other can they form a good pair. Without it, there would only be confusion on the field."

I understood what he said and after thinking I also found it true. So I then bowed a bit at said, "Please teach me how to become a good catcher.".Then I felt his hand on my shoulder and he brought me up and said, "Ok kid there is no need to bow your head to me. I came for that very purpose." and started walking to some distance and told me to come with him.

Then he started to teach me the way stands in the catcher position and how to hold the mitt. Holding the mitt I noticed it was different from how the normal ones are. Then I heard him say, "There is a difference in the size of the mitt for the catchers as they should properly catch the ball thrown by the pitchers." I understood what he is saying as there are many types of pitchers with many types of pitches so the mitt would be a bit different to suit the position.

He then slowly threw a ball for me to catch and I couldn't properly catch it. The ball hit the edge of the glove and rolled to the side. So I slowly got up and went to take it. Then I heard him say, "Don't be so down kid it's your first time so it's ok to do mistakes." Then I threw the ball back and he threw it at the same speed this time I caught it but barely. It hit the glove and flew a bit up and I caught it then. Even though I struggled a bit I could catch the ball and I had a sense of accomplishment.

Then we continued to practice the same way for some time and then he told us to stop and we stopped. He then started to tell me what is a pitch framing and various other types of general knowledge needed for a catcher. He even told me about what is a pitch calling and a pitch sequence.

Then I could see my dad and Izumi coming towards us and Izumi seems to be very happy.

( Shirogana POV )

At first, seeing the kid I had no view about him being a good catcher, but the way he had is determination and concentration on it amazed me. When I started to slowly throw the ball at the beginning it was not going well. But as time passed by he started to catch up at a tremendous speed. I could now say that he was born to be a catcher. Now seeing Tensei coming towards me I went to him. He sent the kids back home and we both stood there standing seeing the sunset.

He then asked, "So how was the kid can he be one or not."

I understood he was asking about his son so I told him frankly, "He is a diamond in the rough, and if he wants to become a good catcher he needs a lot of practice. So how was it on your side."

"He has what it takes to become a good pitcher, He has a strong arm and flexible body. But his pitches have no control and continually go haywire."

"Seems both of them have good potential."

"Yes, they do."

"Ok, then it's time for me to go back."

"Bye then."

"Bye"

Giving him one more hug I went inside my car and drove off.

*****

There will be a daily chapter for 2 weeks

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