The Extra in a Baseball Novel

The Hyuksan baseball team is last year’s Golden Lion champions. Naturally, they are a strong favorite to win this year’s tournament as well.

Even so, today’s game won’t be easy.

As if fate were playing a trick, their opponent in the first round is none other than last year’s runner-up, Ilmyeong High.

Losing in the first round is a very real possibility.

Everyone was well aware of that, which is why the atmosphere in the dugout was filled with tension.

It was like the calm before a storm, when the coach finally appeared.

“I’ll announce the lineup, so listen up. Leadoff hitter, center fielder, Jin Myunghwan. Second, catcher, Ji Chanwoo. Third, shortstop, Cha Taehyun.”

Third?

That was unexpected. The coach had always used me as the leadoff hitter. Not that I’m complaining—the third spot in modern baseball is just as crucial as the cleanup spot, which means more opportunities for me to shine.

Lee Jiho, who recently overcame his slump, secured the fifth spot. That guy really is something. Overcoming his slump after just one counseling session with Miyeon…

“And lastly, the starting pitcher will be Lee Seungtae.”

The coach approached Lee Seungtae, gave him a pat on the shoulder, and smiled slightly.

“Since you shaved your head, your pitches have improved. Just pitch as you normally do, and you’ll do fine.”

“Yes, sir!”

In the end, Lee Seungtae was chosen as the starting pitcher.

Changhyun had been in great form, so I thought there was a chance he might get the start. But Seungtae’s form had also improved dramatically…

Overall, this lineup was within my expectations, except for the last part, which caught me off guard.

“Hwang Gwanghyeon, you’ll be in relief today, so don’t be too nervous.”

“Uh, yes? …Yes!”

Hwang Gwanghyeon, who had never been a regular, was brought in as the relief pitcher. I’ve often seen Seungtae coaching him during pitcher practice, so it looks like his skills have improved.

Seungtae really has changed.

Even now, he’s giving Gwanghyeon advice, telling him not to be nervous. It’s heartwarming to see.

“One last thing… don’t be afraid. It’s okay to lose. Just don’t play worse than usual because you’re scared. Give it your all. There are a lot of scouts here today. You all know what that means, right? Show them how hard you’ve worked to get here.”

Leaving those words behind, the coach disappeared somewhere.

He’s changed a lot too. He’s nothing like the stat-obsessed coach from the text.

Could this coach really be the same person as the one described in the story?

I don’t think so.

Seungtae, Gwanghyeon, Jiho, and even Miyeon have all changed, for better or worse, because of me.

This world isn’t just following a predetermined story.

So, I’ve decided to stop consciously thinking about Nemaz.

Now, as Cha Taehyun, I have a new goal: to bring Miyeon a Phoenix championship.

“So today, we must win.”

“Huh? Well, yeah, but that was random.”

“Myunghwan.”

“Yeah?”

“Just go with it.”

There were less than 10 minutes left before the game started when my phone vibrated.

[Miyeon: Taehyun, I’m here! ^^ I’ll be cheering you on, so do your best!]

Just reading the text made a big smile spread across my face.

Am I not incredibly lucky? What other teacher would come all the way to Seoul to cheer for me?

As I was typing my reply, another message from Miyeon came through.

[You’re going to hit a home run, right?]

I quickly erased what I was writing, thought for a moment, and typed again.

[If you buy me something tasty.]

Her reply came almost immediately.

[Sure! I’ll buy you something delicious if you hit a home run! I’ll do it every time you hit one, haha.]

Every time? Let’s aim for at least two… no, three.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“What are you doing?”

Seo Jia suddenly poked her face into my space, so I hurriedly put away my phone.

“Just texting.”

“…Really?”

“Who are you texting to be so happy? Is it… your girlfriend?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Hmm… sounds suspicious… really suspicious!”

“I’m telling you, it’s not.”

Seo Jia kept questioning me for quite a while before she finally left.

“Cha Taehyun.”

“Huh? Changhyun, when did you get here?”

Somehow, Changhyun had been sitting in front of me, staring blankly into space.

“Leave romance outside the ballpark…”

“Uh, what?”

“Lucky guy…”

Miyeon sat in the audience seats of Mokdong Baseball Stadium, looking around.

Many people were holding stopwatches and speed guns.

‘They must be scouts.’

Just as she thought, there were quite a few scouts present at Mokdong Stadium today. Despite it being the first round, it was a matchup between last year’s champion and runner-up.

There was no way the scouts would miss this game.

“I wonder if the Phoenix scouts are here.”

“Are you a Phoenix fan?”

“Whoa!”

Miyeon flinched as a woman suddenly appeared beside her.

“Haha. I’m sorry. Is it okay if I sit here?”

“Yes… but are you two by any chance…”

Miyeon eyed the man and woman with suspicion.

“Yes, we’re Phoenix scouts.”

“Really?”

Miyeon, like she was meeting a celebrity, excitedly began to talk to Kim Eun-chan and Ji Suyeon.

“You came at just the right time. There’s a really good player here today. Someone the Phoenix desperately needs!”

Ji Suyeon grinned as she asked, “Oh? Could you tell us who that might be?”

“It’s a player named Cha Taehyun. Do you know him?”

Kim Eun-chan nodded.

“He’s a great player. We’re here to see him today.”

Miyeon looked at him in surprise, and he continued calmly.

“I’m sure every scout here today will be stunned. This is the first time Cha Taehyun will be officially showcasing his skills. Watch closely. Today might be a historic moment.”

Ilmyeong High’s ace, Ju Ji-tae.

Although Hyuksan’s ace, Lee Seungtae, is in a class of his own, Ju Ji-tae is still a solid pitcher who is likely to be selected in the first round.

As he took the mound today, Ju Ji-tae made a vow.

“I will win today, no matter what.”

Not a single day had passed without Ju Ji-tae recalling the memory of last year’s Golden Lion final, where they lost after a fierce battle that went into extra innings.

He was grateful that he had been a second-year back then, and he’d been waiting for this chance at revenge ever since.

When the leadoff hitter, Jin Myunghwan, stepped up to the plate, Ju Ji-tae glared fiercely at him.

Taking a deep breath, he threw the first pitch.

-Pow!

“Strike!”

The umpire’s call was accompanied by a faint smile from Ju Ji-tae.

The scoreboard displayed 147 km/h. It was a surprisingly fast pitch for an off-speed throw.

Quickly regaining his focus, Ju Ji-tae threw the second and third pitches.

“Strike! Out!”

He wrapped up the at-bat cleanly.

Striking out Jin Myunghwan, who was known for his top-tier contact hitting, in just three pitches was a feat.

Three up, three down.

Feeling satisfied, Ju Ji-tae faced the next batter.

“Ji Chanwoo… the one who helped turn the tables last time…”

He was another top contact hitter, and a catcher at that.

But Ju Ji-tae didn’t let it faze him and continued to pitch.

“Strike! Out!”

Even Ji Chanwoo was struck out in just three pitches.

After retiring these two batters, Ju Ji-tae felt utterly confident.

He was sure of it now. Today, his pitches wouldn’t be easy to hit.

When the third batter stepped into the box, Ju Ji-tae couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“Cha Taehyun, huh…”

He had never heard of that name in any tournament before.

Which meant he wasn’t a great player.

If a player is good, they get analyzed and discussed, but this guy… he hadn’t even heard the name before.

“Seems like it’s his debut… it’s going to be embarrassing for him on TV.”

Smiling wryly, Ju Ji-tae gripped the ball.

-Taehyun!!!

A loud voice rang out from the stands.

Even though it was the perfect timing to pitch, Cha Taehyun turned toward the audience and smiled contentedly.

Ju Ji-tae scoffed at the sight, as if Taehyun felt no tension about the impending duel.

“…Ignoring the pitcher right in front of him?”

‘I was planning on taking it easy early on… but not with this guy.’

Ju Ji-tae raised his knee, spread his arms wide, and planted his foot firmly as he delivered the pitch with all his strength.

It was a full-force throw, even shaking his cap slightly.

With an insane spin rate, the ball rocketed forward.

It was a perfect pitch, just grazing the outer edge of the strike zone.

‘It’s in

for sure!’

He could already picture the batter’s stunned face.

But then, Ju Ji-tae’s eyes widened in shock.

As if Taehyun had seen the future, his bat was already in position to meet the ball that was supposedly untouchable.

-Crack!

The sound of the bat smashing the ball sent a tremor through Ju Ji-tae’s entire body.

“Huh?”

Overwhelmed, Ju Ji-tae’s head whipped around.

He had to crane his neck further and further upward.

Just how far was this ball going?

“Where’s it going…?”

“Yes! Cha Taehyun makes contact on the first pitch! It’s heading right-center! Going high, going far! It’s sailing past the fence! An incredible home run!”

“He’s never played in elementary, middle, or even in his first year of high school! This unknown rookie is now dominating the game with his first swing in his first official appearance!”

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