The Extra in a Baseball Novel

Chapter 61

“Ah! Ji Chanwoo, seriously!!” Shin Hayoon slammed her desk as she watched the broadcast on her computer.

They were so close… A perfect game was within reach! But Ji Chanwoo had blown it in such a disappointing way.

Of course, since it was recorded as an error, the chance for a no-hitter was still alive, and that was still a remarkable achievement.

“…But it’s such a shame, really.”

She couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

Sighing, Shin Hayoon

└ Better enjoy it while it lasts LOL.

Back at the team’s accommodations, the players were paired up two to a room. Today, Cha Taehyun was sharing with his senior, Sihwan.

“Oh, Taehyun, Chanwoo came looking for you earlier.”

“Chanwoo sunbae did?”

“Yeah… how should I say it, because of what happened today…”

“You mean the perfect game?”

“Ah, yeah, that. He said he wanted to apologize to you. He waited here for a while but eventually left.”

Hmm… I didn’t know that.

I had several missed calls from an unknown number—could that have been Chanwoo sunbae?

“Well, if I were you, I wouldn’t want to see Chanwoo’s face for a while either. Not that I’m trying to comfort you or anything, just being honest.”

It seemed like Sihwan was misunderstanding something.

“I was upset for a moment, but I’m fine now. I didn’t come back late because I didn’t want to see Chanwoo sunbae or because I was shocked over the perfect game being ruined.”

In truth, I had a fantastic time.

Not that I could tell him I spent a long time snuggled in Mi-yeon teacher’s arms as an excuse for the perfect game slip-up.

“Really? Even if it were me, I wouldn’t want to face Chanwoo for a while.”

That’s the reaction of a normal person, but my personality doesn’t hold grudges as long as someone doesn’t cross the line.

Ruining the perfect game didn’t feel like crossing a line… it wasn’t intentional, after all.

I could be mad at the play, but I couldn’t be mad at the person.

“No matter what, I think that’s impressive. I really respect that mindset. Oh, and thank you.”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Sihwan climbed down from his bed and gave me a deep, 90-degree bow.

“You know that feedback material you gave me last time? The one from your friend who’s preparing to be a coach?”

Ah, Shin Hayoon’s material?

I had given it to him at Hayoon’s request, but it was only based on feedback from one game, so I didn’t think it was anything special.

“To be honest, I was skeptical since it was from someone prepping to be a coach, but it actually helped a lot.”

Even that short feedback helped? Was this the magic of Shin Hayoon, who had propelled the Dynos to the playoffs in no time?

“So, does that mean you’ve improved your control?”

If that’s the case, it’s really good news. If Sihwan, with his refined control, joins Phoenix’s bullpen, he could instantly become a crucial relief pitcher.

“Well… not quite yet. But I feel like I’m on the verge of figuring it out? Before, I could only land 2 out of 10 pitches for strikes. Now, I feel like I could land 5. If I aim for the center of the strike zone, maybe 7.”

5 out of 10, and aiming for the center could get 7?

That’s actually really good.

It might sound like nonsense to anyone else, but that’s just the level of Phoenix’s bullpen right now.

“So, uh… could you introduce me to that friend of yours? I’d like to get some direct coaching if possible.”

That wouldn’t be a problem…

But why did I suddenly feel reluctant?

“Let’s stick with receiving feedback material for now. If we need more later, I’ll ask her for you.”

“Oh…? Yeah, that makes sense. Your friend must be busy too.”

Lee Sangjin was surprisingly sensitive when it came to sleeping, especially given his large frame. During his rookie days, he had struggled to sleep at away game accommodations, finding it hard to rest.

Though things weren’t as bad now, he was still sensitive to disturbances.

—

Even though the sobbing was quiet, Lee Sangjin couldn’t help but wake up.

‘He’s acting like he’s okay, but…’

Lee Sangjin let out a small sigh.

It hadn’t even been a few hours since the huge error.

Ji Chanwoo was currently the target of brutal criticism, not only from Phoenix fans but even from other team’s fans who found his mistake hard to watch.

Even within his own team, the coaches and manager hadn’t held back from expressing their disappointment.

Well… it was understandable. That kind of defense deserved the criticism it got. His play was so bad, there was no retort to “Are you even a pro?”

Still, Lee Sangjin couldn’t bring himself to criticize Ji Chanwoo. And if you’d been with Phoenix for a long time, you probably couldn’t either.

Before Coach Lee Eun-seok took over, while everyone else was lazily going out to drink, Ji Chanwoo had been staying late, practicing his batting alone.

If the previous coaches hadn’t clocked out right after practices, Ji Chanwoo probably would have stayed to practice fielding as well.

His work ethic had always been clear—he put in more effort than anyone.

It’s truly unfair how talent works.

Though Ji Chanwoo had made it this far in the pros, which meant he wasn’t without talent, his abilities were just so… frustratingly average. And that might have been even more cruel.

Ji Chanwoo had probably been whipping himself, constantly striving for something just out of his reach.

And now Cha Taehyun had appeared.

A rookie, taking his position and proving himself in just one game. How must Ji Chanwoo feel, watching that?

For Ji Chanwoo, watching someone effortlessly achieve what he’d worked so hard for must have felt…

—

Another quiet sob echoed through the room. Though he tried to suppress it, Lee Sangjin’s sharp ears caught the sound.

Lee Sangjin carefully grabbed his phone and changed his alarm time.

—

The alarm vibrated, and Lee Sangjin, still facing away, spoke.

“Ah… I set the alarm wrong… Sorry about that, Chanwoo. Did I wake you?”

“…Yes. But it’s okay.”

“Really? I’m the type who finds it hard to fall back asleep after waking up. Do you want to go toss a ball around with me for a bit?”

A moment later, Ji Chanwoo replied.

“…Yes, sure.”

“Great. Take your time, though. I’m going to step out for a smoke first.”

With that, Lee Sangjin headed out and stopped by the convenience store.

When he came out of the store, he was holding two cans of Zero Cider.

Taking a sip, Lee Sangjin mumbled to himself.

“I bet Chanwoo doesn’t even know I don’t smoke…”

By the time he finished the cider, he saw Ji Chanwoo approaching in the distance, wearing a cap. Clearly, he didn’t want to show his face, even at night.

Lee Sangjin chuckled and handed him a can of cider.

“You’ll do better next time.”

Ji Chanwoo flinched slightly at the comment.

“You did your best with the opportunity you were given. These things happen. But you know, it’s your responsibility to make up for it. You get that, right? That’s what being a pro is.”

“Yes… I understand.”

Lee Sangjin gave a light tap to Ji Chanwoo’s shoulder with his glove and continued.

“The coaching staff has changed. No more coaches clocking out early. So, make sure to ask for extra fielding practice every day. You’ve worked hard on your batting, and it’s improved. There’s no reason you can’t do the same for your defense.”

“…Thank you.”

“Thank me? For what… It’s fine. Today’s just the beginning. Now, go stand over there. I’m going to throw ground balls to you all day.”

“Huh? But don’t you have a game tomorrow…?”

“Do you really think I’m going to spend all day throwing to you? Be smart.”

“Ah… Yes!”

“Good. Let’s start with the same course that ruined Taehyun’s perfect game.”

“I’m… I’m sorry!”

“Haha! Don’t apologize to me. Say that to Taehyun tomorrow. Now, catch this!”

The ball rolled towards him.

The same course, the same speed as the one in the eighth inning.

Why had it been so hard to catch that simple ball?

‘If I hadn’t felt the pressure of protecting the perfect game…’

No. That was a pathetic excuse. If he couldn’t handle that pressure, that’s why he kept making mistakes.

All he needed to do was get the ball into his glove like this…

A little grip, and it’s caught.

What more is there to it?

“That’s it! Just like that! Did you hear Taehyun’s interview today? Do it like that when you’re in the Korean Series!”

With his lips slightly trembling, Ji Chanwoo wiped his eyes with his arm and shouted.

“Yes!!”

Even after everything, Ji Chanwoo still wanted to keep playing baseball.