The Extra in a Baseball Novel

After returning from spring camp, the first thing I did was finalize the contract for my new apartment.

Though I wanted to postpone the move and just rest for a bit, exhibition games were starting soon. If I waited, I’d probably have to put it off even longer, so it was best to get it done now.

“Wow… Oppa, your apartment complex has a lake!”

Jihyun’s eyes sparkled with excitement as soon as we entered the apartment complex.

“Oppa, there’s an elevator too. Now we don’t have to walk up to the 4th floor anymore! This is so convenient, right?”

Seeing her smile so brightly just because of an elevator made my nose sting with emotion.

If I’d known she would be this happy, I would have moved sooner…

When Jihyun got off the elevator, she made my heart ache once more.

“Oppa, there’s even a digital door lock here. You just press the code to open the door, right? Now we won’t have to worry about losing our keys.”

“Huh? Why are you apologizing, Oppa? You’re letting us live in such a nice place… Don’t say weird things and let’s go inside already, okay?”

Jihyun tugged at my hand eagerly.

“Yeah, let’s go in.”

I punched in the passcode, opening the door to reveal a sleek shoe closet, and as we walked further in, the pristine white interior came into view.

“Wow… The living room is huge…”

At 64 pyeong (about 2,300 sq ft), it was vast, incomparable to the old house we used to live in.

Jihyun couldn’t stop marveling as she explored the apartment.

“There are three bathrooms!”

“Is this my room, Oppa? It’s at least three times bigger than my old one.”

“Oppa, look! There’s a bathtub!”

She was as excited as a child visiting an amusement park for the first time.

“Do you like it, Jihyun?”

“Yeah… I really, really like it! Oppa… thank you!”

Jihyun leaped into my arms. I’d never seen her this happy before. Money really does make life better sometimes.

If anyone ever says that money can’t buy happiness, I’d like to show them Jihyun’s joyful face right now.

I need to work even harder and earn more.

—

—

The general manager visited the club at Coach Lee Eun-seok’s request.

“Director Lee, after returning from spring camp, I realized… this team isn’t as hopeless as I thought.”

“Pardon?”

“Why so surprised? Did you think Phoenix was a lost cause?”

The general manager almost nodded but forced a smile instead.

“Haha… No, not at all. I was just expecting you to be more critical of Phoenix, so I was caught off guard.”

“Yes, you’re right. I was strict in my assessment. But there is potential.”

Just as the manager was about to ask, “Are you serious?” the coach continued.

“Of course, having potential doesn’t mean Phoenix is a good team right now.”

The general manager couldn’t help but agree. After all, how much could a team that finished last the previous year change in one spring camp?

“Yes… I think so too.”

“Right. It’s an undeniable fact. But do you know what I mean by potential? It means that with the right adjustments…”

“You’re saying they could succeed?”

“I like that you catch on quickly, Director. I won’t ask for much. Just leave all trades entirely to my discretion…”

The general manager nodded. He had been heavily criticized for every trade he made and was sick of it, so it was a relief to hand it off to someone else.

However, what the coach said next was the problem.

“Let’s overhaul the coaching staff.”

“Are you saying… you want to replace the entire coaching staff?”

The coach gave a sly smile and nodded.

‘This… I didn’t see this coming.’

When Coach Lee Eun-seok was first appointed, he never mentioned bringing in his own people, so it was assumed he was satisfied with the current staff.

“I’ve been out of the scene for a long time. The people who used to work under me have already found positions elsewhere, so I don’t have anyone to call in. I was willing to give the current coaches a chance, but… I don’t think they’re going to work out.”

“Do you have any coaches in mind?”

“Yes. I’ve made a list. Take a look.”

The general manager glanced at the list, surprised to see that most of the candidates were quite young.

“They’re all quite capable, but I picked those who would listen well. Can we make it happen?”

The general manager rested his chin in his hand, deep in thought.

‘The owner did say to follow Coach Lee Eun-seok’s judgment as much as possible, but replacing the entire coaching staff… That’s a huge undertaking.’

“I think I’ll need to consult with the owner first.”

“Really? Then I’ll ask him directly. Just connect the call.”

Nodding, the general manager sent a message to the owner to check availability, and soon received a response saying it was fine.

The call was longer than expected. He thought they’d just discuss setting up a meeting about the coaching staff, but it sounded like the conclusion would be reached over this call.

“Yes, thank you very much, sir.”

“Did the owner give his permission?”

“He said it’s necessary for Phoenix to win, so he readily agreed.”

The general manager nodded with a bitter smile.

‘No matter what, the owner sure is easily swayed…’

—

—

“Granny, I’m heading out.”

Busan Phoenix’s second-team player, Cha Sihwan, stepped out of a shabby villa and climbed into an old car that looked like it barely ran.

Most people imagine baseball players as wealthy, but the reality for a second-team player like Cha Sihwan, especially not being a high draft pick, was quite different.

Still, Cha Sihwan was content with his current life. After all, he knew that his entry into the professional league was a stroke of luck.

During his final tournament in his third year of high school, he was just a backup. But when his teammates were injured, he ended up on the mound as the closing pitcher. Seeing it as his last chance, he pitched with all his might, delivering a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

As an underhand pitcher, his top speed reached 138 km/h, shutting down two innings.

That performance caught the eye of a scout, earning him a place on the Phoenix team.

Of course… there was a reason it was a once-in-a-lifetime performance.

If he could consistently throw 138 km/h with his underhand style, he would have been scouted long before.

His main weakness was his notoriously poor control.

Because of that, he received the lowest possible signing bonus and salary, but Cha Sihwan believed time would resolve it.

Isn’t that what professional coaches are for? With such specialized guidance, he was confident that his control would stabilize.

But the Phoenix coaches were far from what he had envisioned.

“Raise your arm angle.”

That was the first piece of advice he received from a coach.

“I’m sorry… but a senior pitcher who taught me the underhand said I should never raise my arm angle…”

Since that senior had succeeded in the Major Leagues with his underhand technique, Cha Sihwan believed that maintaining his arm angle was a core principle.

No matter how much he explained, the coach was stubborn.

“What? Are you saying your senior’s advice is more important than your coach’s?”

“…That senior is a successful pitcher, so I…”

“Ha! This rookie’s ignoring his pitching coach? Unbelievable.”

“I’m sorry. But… I can’t change my arm angle.”

“Fine! Let’s see how well you do without listening to me.”

At first, Cha Sihwan was determined to stand his ground.

“I apologize for being stubborn, Coach…”

A year later, he finally bowed his head to the coach.

He could handle being ignored and left alone by the coach. After all, there was nothing to learn from someone who stubbornly insisted on raising his arm angle.

But… the problem was that the entire second-team coaching staff was in cahoots with that coach.

Cha Sihwan had become disliked by all the coaches, resulting in fewer opportunities to play.

Without any significant achievements and with limited playing time, he was at risk of being cut from the team this year.

Hadn’t he promised to succeed for the grandmother who had raised him alone?

It was time to swallow his pride.

“Hm… Well, rookies can be a bit stubborn. From now on, make sure you listen to the other coaches too, alright?”

“Yes… I will.”

‘I have to at least show Granny that I’m playing in a first-team game…’

Swallowing his pride, Cha Sihwan adjusted his arm angle as instructed by the coach.

——

With just a few days left before the exhibition games, I found myself at the secondary training field in Sangdong.

If you’re wondering why I’m here, well, I don’t really know either.

The coach suddenly said, “Shouldn’t we go see the second team?” and brought me along.

I doubt he’s planning to send me to the second team, so he must have some other reason.

But this could be an opportunity.

There were mentions on Nemars (an online forum) about a player who would succeed after leaving the Phoenix team.

It might mean that there’s a player here who could experience that “escape effect.”

If I remember correctly, there was an underhand pitcher who became a prime example of that…

If I see that pitcher here, I’ll grab the coach by the pants and persuade him.

After all, every pitcher is crucial for winning.

“Coach Lee Eun-seok?”

As we entered the training ground, the coach who had been lounging on a chair jumped up in surprise. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Was this an unannounced inspection?

Judging by the coach’s reaction, it seemed today’s visit was unplanned.

“What brings you here, sir? You must be very busy…”

“Enough. I’m here to take a look at the bullpen, so gather the pitchers, and bring a catcher to the field. Oh, and don’t worry about the hitters.”

The coach glanced at me and added, “He’s going to hit.”

So that’s why I was brought here — to see how the second-team bullpen would fare against a first-team batter.

But is this okay?

It seems like it would be better to have someone like Lee Sangjin do this instead of me.

Oh well, when the coach gives an order, you just do it.

I took my place at the plate.

“Haha! I look forward to it!”

The pitcher on the mound introduced himself with a voice loud enough to tear his throat.

The desperation was clear in his tone and in his eyes.

…It made sense for him to be desperate.

If he pitched well here, he might get called up to the first team.

I’m a bit soft-hearted in situations like this…

“Don’t hold back and swing just as you usually would. Understood?”

With the coach saying this, I had no choice but to hit even if I felt bad.

The pitcher wound up and threw the ball.

Maybe he got too excited and lost control. A bland fastball flew straight down the middle.

This kind of pitch… Even if I wanted to let it go, I just couldn’t.

– CRACK!

The bat swung, and the ball soared far, easily clearing the outfield wall.

“C-could I please have one more chance?”

The pitcher turned anxiously to the coach, but…

“Next.”

In the end, the pitcher had to step off the mound after throwing just one ball.

Several other pitchers took their turns after that, but…

– CRACK!!!

“H-how did he hit that…?”

“Next.”

– CRACK!

“P-please, just give me one more shot!”

“Next.”

“Next…”

One by one, they either gave up home runs or long hits.

Sighing, the coach turned to the pitching coach.

“Any more pitchers left?”

When the pitching coach shook his head, the coach signaled for me to come off the field.

“Alright, Taehyun. Let’s wrap it up and head back.”

That’s strange… I was sure there was an underhand pitcher here who had been a prime example of the “escape effect.”

But there’s no use lamenting over what isn’t here. As I put down my bat and began walking back…

“W-wait! Coach! Coach, we have a pitcher here! We still have one!”

Huh…?

Suddenly, a pitcher was sprinting toward the mound in a hurry.

“What’s this? Didn’t you say there were no more pitchers?”

“W-well, he is a pitcher, but he never listened to instructions. Only now has he started adjusting, so he’s not in any state to be in the first team… That’s why I didn’t mention him…”

“Really…?”

The pitcher looked at the coach with desperation and shouted, his voice trembling.

“Cha Sihwan, sir! Please, just give me one chance to pitch! One chance is all I’m asking! I won’t ask for a second! Please… Please, just one opportunity, Coach!”

“What the hell is this kid doing…!”

The pitching coach angrily stormed toward the mound to drag him away, but the pitcher shook off his grip, fell to his knees, and continued to plead with the coach.

He begged for just one chance to pitch.

I wasn’t sure if this was the underhand pitcher I had heard about.

But whether he was or not…

Ignoring someone so desperate just didn’t seem right.

At least, that’s what I thought.

I changed my course and returned to the batter’s box, raising my bat.

“Coach, how about one more at-bat? I’m asking you, please.”

—