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Chapter 319: Deliberation (1)

Since entering the meeting room, the other staff were finally able to relax. It seemed that keeping a neutral expression throughout the past 2 days had taken its toll on them.

Even the Head Coach let out a small smile of satisfaction.

“Firstly I want to say well done to you all for following my silly plan. I know it was tough, but I do believe that it has allowed us to see the best results.” The coach spoke up, addressing everyone in the room.

The coach had asked all of the staff members to keep the results from the players, something that was not usually done in such a situation. He also required them to stay neutral during the drills, not reacting to anything no matter how good or bad it was.

It was a little unorthodox, but if anyone could be described as such, it was definitely the Head Coach.

He continued speaking.

“Now that the trials are complete, we’ll be going through each player and discussing if they belong on the team.”

He moved over to the white board and flipped it over, revealing head shots of the participants in the trial. It looked as if they’d pulled the school photo’s of the players and printed them out.

“Let’s start off with outfielders.”

Chris pulled out his note book and flipped through a few pages before saying the first name on his list.

“Riku Sato. 6’1 and athletic, has been part of the National Team since Under 15’s.”

Coach Takashi nodded, moving his gaze around the room.

“He’s a good lead off batter and able to make great contact on pitches. I think he’s a lock for left outfield.” An older man spoke up from the back of the room, adjusting his glasses as he looked down at his papers.

“I agree.”

A few murmurs of agreement rang out from across the room, essentially giving a unanimous vote for his acceptance into the team.

Chris also added his agreement, prompting Coach Takashi to grab his head shot and place him on the crudely drawn baseball field upon the white board.

“Next.”

“Masayuki Yamazaki, 5’9 with fast legs and great technique. He’s also been next to Riku in the National Team before.”

The coach didn’t even wait to hear the staff’s opinions on Masayuki, quickly placing his photo in the center outfield.

“He is the perfect center outfielder for us. Not only is he experienced, he’s also very vocal and can help keep Riku in check.”

Coach Takashi had done plenty of research on the players beforehand, therefore he was not just basing his decisions on what he’d seen in the tryouts.

“Next.”

“Toru Fujiwara, 5’8 outfielder. He’s a hard worker, but seems a little timid during the exercises.” Chris said, turning to the other staff members.

“He’s too slow.”

“Yeah he seems a little sluggish, even in the athletic trials yesterday.”

Coach Takashi seemed to also agree as he placed the photo of Toru onto the other side of the white board.

Just like that, someone’s dreams had been cut off in just a few words. While Toru was still a top notch player, he was competing against the best Under 18 players in the country therefore it was tough.

Chris continued with the next few people, getting a yes or no from the staff members present. Coach Takashi rarely added anything, however he had the final say when it came to whether or not someone would make the team.

“Kuro Tojo, 5’9 and plays 3rd base. I’d say that he’s above average in batting and he has a killer right arm.”

“Is that the gloomy guy? He seems a little… creepy.” A female staff member added.

However, she quickly regretted making such a statement as the Head Coach turned around and glared at her.

“I don’t care what they look like. He can play baseball, and he does so at a high level.”

*Smack*

With his eyes still focused on the woman, he slapped Kuro’s photo on the open 3rd base before going into a bit of lecture.

“Remember boys and girls, Japan has never won an U18 World Cup… Do you think that we can afford to overlook great players because of the way they look?”

Coach Takashi’s nostrils were flaring, showing just how impassioned he was about the subject.

The woman who’d spoken up earlier quickly lowered her head, feeling some shame and embarrassment.

“I think what the coach is trying to say, is that we should be looking at players purely based on their baseball abilities. Leave any behavioral or personality quirks to us.”

Chris’s calm words did a great job of relaxing the tense atmosphere caused by the Head Coach’s outburst. While he was correct in saying what he said, Chris had relayed it in a better manner.

The eccentric coach nodded, pleased with his assistant coach’s summary.

“Next.”

“Hiroki Kondo, 5’10 and plays 1st base. He was the 4th batter for Yokohama High who won Nationals just a couple of weeks ago.” Chris stated, trying to sound as neutral as possible.

“Mmm, he’s one of the more athletic players and is dangerous in the batters box.” One person agreed.

“He’s good but… My concern is that his wingspan isn’t sufficient to play at 1st base.” The older man at the back of the meeting room spoke up, sounding a little torn.

“So what are you suggesting?” Coach Takashi’s eyes lit up momentarily as he asked.

“Ah… Maybe we can move him to the outfield instead?”

The coach shook his head in response.

“I like him at 1st base. He’s quick and athletic on his feet, we’ll need this for the infield.”

Without another word, he slapped Hiroki’s face on 1st base.