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Diamond no Ace: Coach, I Want to Be a Batter, Not a Pitcher!

Chapter 146: The Game Within the Game · Nov 12, 2026

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Chapter List (248)

Page number / 5

101 Chapter 101 101: I Anticipated Your Prediction 2026-11-12
102 Chapter 102 102: The Showdown Continues 2026-11-12
103 Chapter 103 103: Battle of Wits 2026-11-12
104 Chapter 104 104: The Changes in You Shunshin 2026-11-12
105 Chapter 105 105: Isashiki — The Joy of Not Being the One Getting Scolded 2026-11-12
106 Chapter 106 106: Two Types of Cutter 2026-11-12
107 Chapter 107 107: Stealing All the Way 2026-11-12
108 Chapter 108 108: The Silent King — Narumiya Mei 2026-11-12
109 Chapter 109 109: Guessing 2026-11-12
110 Chapter 110 110: Sawamura, Who Isn’t Very Smart 2026-11-12
111 Chapter 111 111: You Shunshin’s Last Summer 2026-11-12
112 Chapter 112 112: Untitled 2026-11-12
113 Chapter 113 113: Complete Game 2026-11-12
114 Chapter 114 114: The Next Opponent — Yakushi High School 2026-11-12
115 Chapter 115 116: Seidou Goes Berserk 2026-11-12
116 Chapter 116 115: Raizō’s Provocation 2026-11-12
117 Chapter 117 117: The Loud Senior Gets Struck Out 2026-11-12
118 Chapter 118 118: Sawamura’s Enviable Talent 2026-11-12
119 Chapter 119 119: Narumiya Mei Is Being Manipulated 2026-11-12
120 Chapter 120 120: Seido vs. Yakushi High School 2026-11-12
121 Chapter 121 121: Raichi Todoroki 2026-11-12
122 Chapter 122 122: A Powerful Start 2026-11-12
123 Chapter 123 123: Isashiki’s Roar 2026-11-12
124 Chapter 124: One Inning Crushes Yakushi High School 2026-11-12
125 Chapter 125: The Ace Takes the Stage 2026-11-12
126 Chapter 126: A Powerful Showdown Between Pitchers 2026-11-12
127 Chapter 127 127: The Two Aces Feel the Pressure 2026-11-12
128 Chapter 128 128: Provocation? 2026-11-12
129 Chapter 129 129: Is This Retribution? 2026-11-12
130 Chapter 130 130: Head-on Showdown! Suppressing Raichi Todoroki 2026-11-12
131 Chapter 131 131: A Stunning Performance 2026-11-12
132 Chapter 132: Raichi Todoroki Strikes Out 2026-11-12
133 Chapter 133: The Sharp Cutter 2026-11-12
134 Chapter 134: The Match Ends 2026-11-12
135 Chapter 135: Ushijima, Do You Know How to Throw a Curveball? 2026-11-12
136 Chapter 136: I Shouldn’t Have Asked 2026-11-12
137 Chapter 137: The Noisy Training Routine 2026-11-12
138 Chapter 138: Slider 2026-11-12
139 Chapter 139: Quietly Doing Big Things 2026-11-12
140 Chapter 140: Digging a Trap for the Seniors 2026-11-12
141 Chapter 141: I Must Get to Koshien This Year 2026-11-12
142 Chapter 142: Opening Tactics 2026-11-12
143 Chapter 143: I’ll Give You a Taste of Ups and Downs 2026-11-12
144 Chapter 144: The More Provoked, the Tougher They Become 2026-11-12
145 Chapter 145: The Oppressive Presence of 195 cm 2026-11-12
146 Chapter 146: The Game Within the Game 2026-11-12
147 Chapter 147: The Double Pressure of Base-Stealing 2026-11-12
148 Chapter 148: Sensen’s Provocation 2026-11-12
149 Chapter 149: The More Provoked, the Stronger He Becomes 2026-11-12
150 Chapter 150: Pitcher Duel 2026-11-12

”Strike!”

As soon as Ushijima Wakatoshi stepped into the batter’s box, Maki delivered the first pitch without hesitation.

Ushijima focused closely—watching the release point, the angle created by Maki’s long arms.

The ball snapped into the catcher’s glove in an instant.

The velocity wasn’t quite 140 km/h, but the angle made it feel much sharper.

…Troublesome.

From the very first pitch, Ushijima sensed it.

That release point was unusual.

In some ways, Maki’s pitching wasn’t necessarily harder to hit than Sawamura’s—but the angle made it deceptive.

Second pitch.

Curveball.

Around 115 km/h.

A huge drop.

Ushijima read it instantly and swung with full power—

Whiff.

”Nice one, Maki!”

”He couldn’t find the contact point!”

Sensen’s bench erupted in cheers.

On the mound, Maki remained calm, watching Ushijima closely.

As a fellow pitcher, he didn’t believe he was inferior.

If anything—

This was a challenge.

”He didn’t hesitate at all,” Isashiki muttered. ”The moment he saw curve, he swung.”

No one was surprised that Ushijima missed.

Breaking balls weren’t his strength.

He excelled against fastballs—his power came from timing and force.

Against pitches with heavy movement, his contact rate naturally dropped.

Kataoka crossed his arms and spoke calmly from the dugout.

”You’re all watching closely, right?”

”Even if you know you’ll miss—you still swing.”

”That’s how you pressure the pitcher.”

”If you never swing, they’ll just keep throwing what you can’t hit.”

”But if you show commitment, they’re forced to adjust.”

He continued:

”An at-bat isn’t just about one moment.”

”You’ll face the same pitcher multiple times.”

”Even in a short game, you’ll get at least two chances.”

”If you can’t get your pitch the first time—then you prepare for the next.”

The players fell silent, absorbing every word.

Back at the plate, Ushijima had already worked the count.

Two strikes.

Two balls.

Maki delivered again.

Ushijima didn’t hesitate.

Even if it was barely hittable—

He swung.

Even if he only clipped it—

That was enough.

He needed to send a message.

Then—

Eighth pitch.

Maki put everything into it.

Another curveball.

But this time—

Ushijima adjusted.

He quickly choked up on the bat and turned it horizontal.

Tap!

A bunt.

”What?!”

”The cleanup hitter… bunted?!”

Sensen’s players were stunned.

This was Ushijima Wakatoshi—

One of Seido’s strongest power hitters.

And yet—

He chose a bunt.

But Ushijima had already moved.

The moment the ball touched the bat, he dropped it and sprinted.

Maki reacted instantly.

With his long strides, he charged off the mound, scooping the ball cleanly.

He fired to first.

But—

Ushijima was fast.

Ridiculously fast.

By the time Maki released the throw—

Ushijima was already halfway down the line.

Whoosh!

The throw cut through the air.

At the last second—

Ushijima dove.

His hand stretched forward—

Smack!

The first baseman caught the ball—

A split second too late.

”Safe!”

The crowd exploded.

”He got on base with a bunt?!”

”That speed is insane!”

”That’s unfair—he’s a power hitter and that fast?!”

”You don’t get it—once Ushijima gets on base, it’s a nightmare!”

”Getting him on first is basically giving him third!”

”He’s never failed a steal yet!”

Standing on first base, Ushijima glanced at Maki.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Maki’s expression hardened slightly.

He hadn’t expected that.

Masuko stepped into the batter’s box.

The catcher immediately signaled to Maki.

”Don’t worry about the runner.”

”If we shut down the batter, he won’t score.”

”Hold him at third.”

Maki nodded.

But on first base—

Ushijima was already ready.

The moment Maki began his motion—

He ran.

No hesitation.

No doubt.

Snap!

The ball hit the catcher’s glove—

But Ushijima was already sliding into second.

”…Too fast.”

The catcher clenched his teeth.

”There’s no stopping that.”

Ushijima stood up on second base and gave Masuko a small nod.

Second pitch.

Maki threw.

Again—

Ushijima ran.

By the time the defense reacted—

He was already at third.

Now—

He stood in scoring position.

And the pressure—

Shifted completely.

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