In Tokyo, cherry blossom season is just around the corner by mid-March, but in Sapporo, snow still lingers. The temperature remains cold enough that a coat is necessary to walk outside. I had never been to Hokkaido before, and I wasn't prepared for the chill. It was a careless oversight on my part.
Fortunately, Dosanko Stadium, the home ground of the Sapporo White Bears, is a dome stadium with climate control, so it's comfortable inside. This was my first time here, and I was impressed. It's the newest of the 12 teams' home stadiums, with natural grass, making it a great venue for players. However, our first team is in a different league, so we only play here for interleague games and the Japan Series. The second team, though in the same league, is based in Ibaraki Prefecture, not Hokkaido.
Upon joining the first team, I immediately greeted the management, starting with Manager Kimitsu, and went around to introduce myself to each player. Among the players who joined the team at the same time, only three remain on the first team: pitcher Sugizawa, outfielder Takeshita, and Taniguchi. Taniguchi, in particular, has already hit three home runs in 10 exhibition games and is making steady progress toward his first opening day appearance on the first team.
"Hey, you're finally here. Took you long enough," said Takeshita, grinning.
"Do your best so you don't get sent down again," teased Sugizawa.
"Traveling light?" asked Taniguchi, laughing.
I playfully threatened, "I'll strangle you guys. Next time I get demoted, I'm dragging you down with me."
Though I only have a high school diploma, this is already my third year. Considering I was a late draft pick, I know that if I don't make an impression on the first team soon, I could be cut from the roster after this season.
One thing I've learned in the pros is that every player excels at something. For me, it's my speed. I need to be the fastest when it comes to running from first base to second. This means not just speed, but mastering techniques like leading off, returning to base after a pickoff throw, and sliding.
Defensively, I have a great role model in Iida. Unless I work with the mindset of catching up to and surpassing him, I'll never establish myself on the first team.
Iida was playing second base in today's game. Once the season begins, Thomas Lawrie, a stronger hitter, will likely become the regular. By the top of the eighth inning, we were trailing 6-2. Iida, hitless in three at-bats, was replaced by Lawrie as a pinch hitter.
Coach Ichikawa approached me. "Takahashi, when Thomas gets on base, you'll be the pinch runner. Even if he doesn't, you'll be at second base next inning. Get ready," he instructed.
I had been waiting for this moment.
Thomas Lawrie got a hit, and finally, it was my turn. I had been preparing since the fifth inning, visualizing my performance. The memory of last season's final race loomed large in my mind. I had been picked off despite a steal sign. Since then, I've been studying various pitchers' pickoff moves and practicing catching and returning from large leads. It's better not to steal at all than to get thrown out by a pickoff.
I bravely headed to first base.
"First base runner, replacing Thomas, Takahashi Takashi, number 58," the stadium announcer called.
There were runners on base with no outs, but we were still down by four runs. Our goal was to accumulate runners and pass them on to the top of the batting order. The steal sign came on the very first pitch.
The pitcher was Daito, the Sapporo White Bears' ace relief pitcher, famous for his quick pitches and pickoff moves. The catcher, Takeda, had one of the strongest arms in the league.
"Are you serious?" I thought to myself. But it was a perfect opportunity to test my practice. Plus, since it was a sign play, it wasn't my fault if it failed. This thought gave me some comfort.
The batter was shortstop Katsuyama, known for his bunting skills. I took a big lead. As expected, a pickoff throw came. I barely made it back to the bag. Safe. I couldn't lose focus.
I took another large lead. Another pickoff throw. Safe again. When focusing on returning to base, my center of gravity was on the second base side. When focusing on stealing, it was on the first base side. Experienced pitchers and catchers gauge this to time their pickoff throws and pitches. I tried to keep my weight evenly distributed on both feet.
Pitcher Daito got into his set position, glanced at me, and pitched to Katsuyama. I took off. I thought I had a perfect start. However, almost as soon as catcher Takeda caught the ball, he threw it to second base. I slid in just before reaching the base. The throw was timed perfectly, landing in the shortstop's glove at second base.
The umpire hesitated, then called, "Safe."
Relief washed over me. I had a perfect start, good acceleration, and a beautiful slide. Yet, it was still just barely safe. The professional level is incredibly high. Stealing a base from an experienced battery gave me confidence.
I looked at the bench from second base. The steal sign was given again.
"Seriously?" I thought. I confirmed with the third base coach. It was definitely a steal sign.
I took another lead, my heart pounding in my chest, ready for whatever came next.
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