The Extra in a Baseball Novel

“Director, I’m sorry, but do you have a pair of spikes in size 290?”

Right after the batting test ended, Kim Hosan suddenly asked the manager.

“Hmm? They should be in the storage room, but why do you need them? …Wait, are you thinking of pitching?”

“Yes. I can’t help but want to face Cha Taehyun for just one at-bat.”

“Hey… are you sure that’s okay after having surgery?”

“I’m fine. I’m already at the point where I could start pitching again, and I’ve been throwing a bit recently.”

Kim Hosan’s eyes sparkled with determination.

‘Once he gets that look in his eyes, it’s hard to stop him…’n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Sighing, the manager handed over the storage room key.

“Of course.”

The manager muttered to himself as he watched Kim Hosan dash off toward the storage room.

“Looks like Cha Taehyun has really caught Kim Hosan’s eye… It’s going to be a hassle for him.”

—

The list of results from the batting test was posted.

[1st place: Cha Taehyun.]

Even though I already knew the result, seeing those two words, “1st place,” still felt magical. It put me in a good mood.

I immediately took a photo and sent it to Ms. Miyeon, but unlike last time, there was no quick reply. It’s about that time, so she’s probably in class.

Putting my phone away, I sat on the bench, and soon after, Jin Taehyun appeared and sat next to me.

“Taehyun-sama… I worship you.”

“Stop talking like a weeb.”

It hasn’t been long since we last met, but he’s starting off strong…

“What are you talking about all of a sudden…?”

“People on the internet are calling you that.”

“That’s just the Phoenix fans going overboard. Don’t pick up weird stuff.”

Seeing how this pure, passionate baseball boy was influenced by the internet made me realize just how dangerous it could be.

“No, I think they’re right. You are like a god.”

“…Well, thanks. Hey, can I drop the formalities? You’re a year older than me, but it’s awkward to keep switching back and forth.”

“Have you ever seen a god speaking formally to his follower?”

“Ah… okay.”

I’ve given up. Thinking about it, even before he was using the internet, this guy always worshipped me. Why he does that, I truly don’t know. In fact, I don’t really understand Jin Taehyun as a person. If he were a character from StrikeHeart, I might know him better, but he just suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

“Can I ask which professional team you’re planning to join?”

“Rookies don’t get to choose where they go. You just get picked up by whoever drafts you.”

“True… so it’s going to be Phoenix, then.”

“Yeah, anyone can see that Phoenix is going to be last place this year.”

Jin Taehyun nodded briefly, then stared at me intently.

“Then I’ll go to Phoenix too.”

“What?”

“Ever since I saw your forkball during the finals, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about becoming your battery partner.”

…Didn’t he strike out from that forkball…?

“I appreciate it, but… like I said, rookies get picked up by whoever drafts them.”

“Then I’ll just join when I become a free agent.”

He’ll come as a free agent…? If he’s serious, that’s actually pretty scary.

A free agent is someone who has completed their contract and can put themselves up for sale. It’s the opportunity to make the most money. Most players go to the team that offers them the highest salary, and he’s saying he’d join Phoenix just to catch my pitches…?

He must be joking…

-Buzz.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

[Ms. Miyeon: I knew you’d get 1st place, Taehyun! ദ്ദിㆁᴗㆁ✿]

Did the class end already? I checked the time, and it was still during class hours. She must have texted during a break.

“Who’s texting you to make you smile like that?”

“Uh… someone important.”

“I may not be the sharpest person, but even I can tell what that means.”

“What?”

“It’s your girlfriend, isn’t it?”

Oh… he’s perceptive. I wanted to say, “You’re sharp,” but unfortunately, it’s not true.

“No.”

“Really? That’s strange. How could you not have a girlfriend?”

“…”

He’s starting to make me uncomfortable. The fact that his sudden worship feels genuine rather than a joke makes it even more annoying…

I was thinking about how to get away from him when an unexpected visitor arrived.

Kim Hosan, who said he was only here to watch the batting test, approached me.

“I watched you earlier. It was an excellent performance.”

“Oh… yes, thank you.”

“So, I was wondering if you could spare a moment. I’d like to face you for an at-bat.”

“Pardon…?”

I felt confused, and honestly, after the intense fungo practice earlier, I just wanted to rest…

But what’s with that look in his eyes?

Is this what they call the gaze of a “clear-eyed madman”? I found myself unable to refuse, so I stood up from the bench.

—

Kim Hosan has a peculiar trait. When he sees a talented player, he becomes so captivated that he can’t think straight.

It’s peculiar, but the reason behind this trait is even stranger.

To put it nicely, he’s incredibly patriotic.

To put it more bluntly…

“There can never be too many players who represent Korea on the world stage.”

In short, he’s a patriot.

Of course, Kim Hosan sees this as patriotism…

But in reality, he’s addicted to the thrill of seeing his country praised by other nations.

How far does this addiction go…?

When he became the New York Mets’ ace starting pitcher for the first time, he was happier not because his reputation as a pitcher had risen but because…

[Kim Hosan becomes the top starting pitcher in the MLB! New York Mets fans beg for more Korean players…]

[The Kim Hosan effect? MLB teams set their sights on Korean prospects…]

…there were more articles like these.

So, the moment Kim Hosan saw Cha Taehyun, one thought crossed his mind:

‘Will he be able to compete on the world stage?’

Kim Hosan is the type who needs to confirm things immediately when he’s curious.

That’s why.

That’s why the ace of the Major League suddenly showed up at this national team selection game and took the mound.

“I’ll only throw fastballs. You don’t need to worry about other pitches!”

Kim Hosan shouted loudly.

It was a kind of handicap.

After all, even though the purpose was to see if he could make it on the world stage, Cha Taehyun was still just a high school sophomore.

Just confirming his potential was enough.

‘Hmm…?’

However, Cha Taehyun’s expression looked quite displeased. Even when facing a senior like him.

Normally, he would’ve scolded him, saying, “How dare you glare at a senior offering you a chance? What an impudent brat!” But…

Kim Hosan was different.

“Interesting guy. He’s got character.”

He even saw such rude behavior as part of his character.

A smile began to form on Kim Hosan’s lips.

—

When I was in the Major Leagues, I have to admit, my personality was terrible.

I hated losing even a little bit, and if I suffered any disadvantage, I had to pay it back equally to feel satisfied.

If I had to offer a slight excuse… maybe it was because my determination to survive abroad without being looked down upon got twisted in a strange way.

Anyway… I can’t say for sure if my personality has softened since then, but what I can say is that I’m not someone who perfectly fits the traditional Korean Confucian culture.

So…

“I’ll only throw fastballs. You don’t need to think about other pitches.”

I can’t help but frown at those words.

Even if I understand that he’s ‘considering’ his position as an MLB ace and mine as a high school player, it’s just part of my personality. I can’t be overly respectful just because he’s a senior.

Honestly… I’m only a high school student now.

If you think about it, I’m technically the senior here, aren’t I?

The more I think about it, the more it annoys me. I have to say something.

“Senior, you can throw whatever pitches you want.”

“Haha! You’re confident, I like that even more.”

…That was unexpected. His tone didn’t seem to care about my words at all.

Somehow… I felt my annoyance dissipate.

Anyway, I gripped my bat and focused.

Then, the 190cm-tall Kim Hosan took a big step forward and swung his arm powerfully.

Tsk…

Even after what I said, he’s still holding back?

Of course, even so, his pitch looked much heavier and faster than those from the high school pitchers or the Phoenix 2nd team pitchers earlier.

Still… still.

I came out here, pushing through my fatigue.

This just won’t do.

-Smaack!

A swing with extra force.

The ball stretched out and easily cleared the fence.

“If you throw like that again, I’ll hit it again.”

—

“This… this is incredible…”

Even though he held back a bit, that pitch probably came in around 97 mph, and he sent it over the fence like it was nothing. This is the kind of pitch that even Major League batters would have trouble hitting.

But more impressive is that

mentality. Instead of being intimidated when facing a star player, he went on the offensive.

‘Did he say he’d hit it again if I threw the same pitch?’

Amused, Kim Hosan gripped the ball the same way again.

This time, the same pitch, the same course.

Except… this time, he would throw it with full power.

While he didn’t mind Cha Taehyun’s boldness, he thought it necessary to set some boundaries.

If he got too caught up in thinking he was the best, he wouldn’t be able to improve.

‘Take a little break.’

He lifted his knee and stepped down forcefully.

He stomped so hard that dirt flew up from the mound.

His muscles bulged as he wound up his pitch, and when he gathered all his strength to swing his arm, the ball shot out of his hand like a bullet.

The 101 mph fastball that cemented his spot as the ace of the Major Leagues rocketed into the mitt.

And Kim Hosan thought.

‘…I hope he doesn’t get discouraged. It’d be a mistake to think I’m the average for the Major Leagues.’

However, his concern was soon…

-Smaack!!

…shattered as the ball flew off the bat.

Kim Hosan turned his head reflexively, tracking the ball with all his focus.

The ball…

…hit the very edge of the fence and bounced off.

Turning back, Kim Hosan looked at Cha Taehyun and grinned widely.

‘He’s disappointed that he only hit the fence…’

And it didn’t end there.

“One more, please.”

Those eyes that refused to let it end like this made Kim Hosan’s shoulders shake with excitement.

—

“I’m sorry. I just got a call from my agent, so it looks like I can’t do another round…”

“…Well, I guess it can’t be helped.”

Kim Hosan was more cunning than I had expected.

Pulling the classic ‘I won once, so I’m done’ move…

Of course, technically, I hit the fence, so you could say I won…

But it’s just not satisfying.

I felt that my swing was a little late.

Indeed… an MLB ace’s full-power pitch isn’t easy to handle.

“Anyway… that was an excellent hit. If you want, I can introduce you to an agent I know. Any MLB team would want you.”

“…Pardon? I’m only a sophomore.”

“It’s good to start talking early.”

“No… I’m not planning to go to the Majors.”

For a moment, Kim Hosan’s mouth dropped open.

Is this really that shocking…?

“What? Why? Are you not confident in your abilities? You’d do great. I guarantee it. No, you have to go to the Majors. Wasting your talent would be a national loss.”

A national loss…?

“You have to go. You must. You can represent Korea!”

“Uh… yes, thank you, but…”

“Hey, why are you pestering someone who doesn’t want to go? Don’t you have somewhere to be? You’ve had enough fun, now scram.”

The manager finally arrived, and only then did Kim Hosan sigh regretfully before handing me his business card.

“Contact me if you ever need help. Or if you’re ever in the U.S.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

With that, Kim Hosan finally disappeared.

“Strange guy, isn’t he?”

“Huh? Oh… he’s definitely unique.”

“No need to sugarcoat it. He is strange. Whenever he sees someone talented like you, he loses his mind… You’ve got a rough road ahead.”

“Pardon?”

“That guy might go to great lengths to get you into the Major Leagues.”

“No way… Would he really?”

—