OKI

Uh-well...I don't think what I have to say is that important but if you really want me to, I guess that would be ok.

I first became aware of the Nishiura Baseball team when I came over at the start of the school year. I never really thought much about it. I just thought it might be kinda fun to try and see if I could sign up as a member. I didn't think I had a chance of being picked as a member, let alone a prayer in the world to become regular on the team.

I only found out that the team had been newly established and that members are being recruited when I found myself (and a few other First Years like me) dragged into the field by Coach Momoe. Of course at first I thought she was the team manager. She sure didn't look like she was a teacher.

Shiga-sensei is cool to be with. He doesn't hover much and offers a lot of ways for us to learn, though I'm with the guys on this one: why does he know such a weird array of knowledge? Not that I'm complaining or anything. Those meditation sessions sure helped a lot during actual games.

I suppose I expected things to be pretty normal except with Hanai (he wasn't Captain yet) telling Momokan that he was quitting since the coach was a woman and he assumed she would be--well, er-less than exemplary I suppose. But when we saw her bounce that ball against the bat with almost idle control--oh,man. It sure was something. And then there was the orange scene--yes, I assume the others told you about that was well. That sure gave me something to think about. What was it? Well, it's simple really. I swore never to give the Coach any reason to get mad at me enough to treat me like those oranges. So when she said we would have training during Golden Week, by god, even if a storm came I would have attended anyway. Since then I haven't regretted a single thing I've done for the team. When she asked if I could pitch, I found myself answering long before I considered opening my mouth.

My team mates? They're a great bunch of guys. Though I mostly hang around Suyama and Nishihiro we still get together in the dug-out or when Momokan drags us to the occasional games within the district. Hmmm...Suyama-kun is a great guy. Quiet like me but he's very serious when it comes to the game. He gives it his all and I think that's a great thing to do especially since all of us are trying our hardest to make our team win.

Nishihiro isn't a regular yet but he's always there to support the team and I think that in time he would be a great addition to our wacky bunch. For now, he helps a great deal in making sure that Tajima and Mihashi doesn't fail in any of their lessons. And that, is a big deal, believe me. Coach, Sensei and even Captain Hanai worries about their class standing a lot because we have an unspoken rule that if anyone fails, they don't get to play in an official game. That really set Tajima's motivation, and with good reason too, because according to Nishihiro Tajima could be a handful at times.

Mizutani could be a bit wise-cracking and he's known to play pranks but nothing that would get him in any trouble with the Coach. Izumi is the ultimate macho-cool dude. I mean he seems a bit aloof at first but he's alright. Most of the girls can't get over that 'Ice-Man" charm and Izumi gets teased a lot by the guys. Sakaeguchi seems to be level-headed, though he can be the mothering sort—he's the quintessential peacemaker of the team.

Hanai was for obvious reason, was voted our captain and we think we did alright by him. He takes responsibility for the team before Coach and Shiga-sensei arrives. He has initiative though occasionally he gives vent to his frustration and picks on Tajima but I don't think Tajima minds. But then again IT IS Tajima were talking about here. There doesn't seem to be anything that you could do to Tajima that would make him react unfavorably—he takes everything in his stride—beating champions, stealing motions from ace pitchers and even translating Mihashi's nervous blithering into coherent thoughts.

I don't think amazing can even come close to the word I would use for Tajima. He is simply something else. A whole different league but we don't mind because he doesn't brag about it and he doesn't take himself too seriously. He's there to simply enjoy the game and challenge himself. Personally, it makes me want to be as good as I can be whenever I see him play.

Mihashi and Abe? Hmm…well to be honest I think they need each other. Why? Well, I suppose because they complete each other's personality—Abe is a bit dominating and Mihashi needs someone strong enough to care for him and tell him what to do. In some ways, that's the reason, I think, why they have such a strong battery team. Though of course I could never forgive Abe for putting me on the spot that day with Tosei. Mihashi looked like he was about to burst into tears! Damn him, he shouldn't have done that. Although I concede that it was necessary at that time, I hope he wouldn't do that again. I don't want a crying Mihashi looming over me. I think we have a fair chance at Koushien. We have three years to try so there's no hurry.