H2
	 Volume 11
	  Chapter 1 (100)
	   That's Elementary

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(Ch. 1) That's Elementary

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Announcer: North Tokyo Tournament, second round.
	One of today's teams is the championship contender Sekisho, AKA Ishigami Shogyo.
	They've got one of those most explosive batting lineups in North Tokyo.
	Every starting player has at least one extra-base hit.
	This is an uncontrollable lineup for just about any opposing pitcher.
	Most noticeable of all is the #4 hitter, third-year Shikura Mikio.
	This man's got his sights on the pros!

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Announcer: The other team in today's game, Chikawa High School, is making its first appearance in the tournament...

Teams: Ishigami Sho
	Senkawa

Announcers: Because their opponent in the first round was another first-time school,
	one could say that this game today is their first real chance to show what they can do.
	Indeed.
	I hate to say it, but given who they're playing,
	I don't think it will matter how many runs they score today.
	However, the fact that they managed to get past the first round at all
	should be a great comfort for Chikawa High School in its first year entering the National Tournament.
	Ah, we've just gotten a little notice here in the booth.
	Apparently the name of the school is SENkawa, not CHIkawa.
	Right, I misread the kanji.
	Well,
	at any rate, it's their first appearance.

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Ishigami Coach: For being in a first-time school, their pitcher is quite relaxed.

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Mikio: He says he's in prime condition.

Coach: Hahaha!
	Should be good, then.

Noda: Unlike the first round, there's lots of press here, covering Sekisho's performance.
	If you show off big here, you'll get an article in the paper.

Hiro: It seems a bit early for that,
	But oh well.

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Noda: Just don't let down your guard.
	Their lineup's the real thing.

Hiro: If I pretend they're all Hideo, I'll clean them up easy, with room to spare.
	(ha ha)

Noda: Go ahead, try it for nine full innings.

Hiro: Maybe not.

Noda: Just be careful not to let the leadoff batters get on base.

Hiro: That's elementary.

PA: Batting first, secondbaseman Motoyama-kun.

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Ump: Play ball!

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Ump: Ball!

Koga: Close one.

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Ump: Ball!
	Ball!

Noda: Hold on,
	don't tell me...

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Ump: Ball four!

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Announcers: A base on balls, already!
	Even an accomplished pitcher would have difficulty in this situation,
	and for a brand-new team, well...
	It's no surprise.

First Base Coach: I'm surprised you held off on all those close balls.  I know how much you like to swing.

Hiro: Okay!  I've got it.

Yanagi: Got what?

Hiro: No matter what happens, the ump is not going to call that spot a strike.

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Yanagi: Are you challenging the umpire?

Hiro: Not challenging, just ascertaining.
	You don't want a wishy-washy ump who might call it a strike OR a ball.
	This guy knows his strike zone and he sticks to it.

Shuji: You didn't need to test it four times, did you?

Hiro: Sorry,
	I threw the first three in exactly the same spot,
	I just got a little carried away.
	My control is perfect, today.

PA: Batting second, leftfielder Kanoh-kun.

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Announcers: None out, runner on first.
	What will they do here, commentator Kuruma-san?
	He's going to swing away, no question.
	With a lineup like this, there's little use for sacrifice bunts.
	It's only the first inning.
	And only a first-time opponent.

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Announcers: You were right, a hard swing!
	Of course.

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Announcers: There are two outs now...  Kuruma-san.
	In this situation, the runner will automatically take a running start.
	If the batter hits between the outfielders, they'll score a run.
	But neither of the other two even touched the ball.

Batter: He's fast.
	Faster than he looks.

Coach: I guess so.
	We've come this far with everyone on a hot streak and no injuries,
	and my daughter's engaged, to boot.
	I had hoped my good luck would hold strong...

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PA: Batting fourth, firstbaseman Shikura-kun.

Coach: But maybe,
	it's going to take a little respite...

 - Chapter 1 End -