The Extra in a Baseball Novel

When the coach took Cha Taehyun to the pitcher’s training ground, Kim Chang-hyun, who was warming up, quickly ran over.

“Kim Chang-hyun. Where are the others? Why are you the only one here?”

Kim Chang-hyun hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Well, I’m not… really sure.”

In truth, he knew they were resting in the lounge, but he couldn’t say that outright.

“Is that so? Then what about Seungtae? Where is Lee Seungtae?”

“Uh… Seungtae didn’t show up at all today.”

“What? He didn’t come at all?”

That part was true. He was someone who rarely skipped training, yet he hadn’t been seen all day.

“Yes. He’s not answering his phone either.”

“Is he sick or something? Hmm…”

…Lee Seungtae would be perfect.

The coach muttered to himself, rubbing his chin before placing his hand on Kim Chang-hyun’s shoulder.

“Well, then. You’ll just have to do it.”

“Pardon?”

“This guy here. For his entrance test. You’ll watch him for one at-bat.”

“An entrance test…? Do we even have such a thing in our baseball team?”

While Kim Chang-hyun was dumbfounded, he spotted the student standing behind the coach.

“Is this the one who’s doing the entrance test?”

“That’s right.”

“B-but Coach, isn’t he just a regular student? He’s wearing a school uniform.”

“Of course, he hasn’t received his uniform yet. Now stop talking and get up on the mound.”

“…Yes, sir.”

Kim Chang-hyun climbed onto the mound, covering his mouth with his glove as he grumbled.

“An entrance test…? Feels more like the coach is taking a bribe.”

It wasn’t unheard of. There were occasionally students who joined the baseball team using the coach’s connections.

This seemed like one of those situations.

It wasn’t even the beginning of the semester; it had already been about a month since the term started. Letting a new student join out of nowhere felt like they were turning a blind eye. ṙἁNΟ𐌱Ěŝ

‘This is pretty annoying…’

He had worked himself to the bone to get accepted into this school.

And now? An entrance test?

The grip on the ball in Kim Chang-hyun’s hand tightened.

If he didn’t have a uniform, he should have at least shown up in gym clothes.

But… maybe he already paid them off, so he’s guaranteed a spot?

Kim Chang-hyun slowly lifted his left knee, stepped forward, and rotated his arm vigorously.

‘Nice… it’s a good pitch.’

Watching his ball fly smoothly, one side of Kim Chang-hyun’s lips curled up.

‘The thought of him fumbling my pitch feels pretty satisfying—’

Smack!

The moment the sound of a bat hitting the ball rang out, a ball came hurtling past Kim Chang-hyun’s ear at a frightening speed.

Instinctively turning his head, Kim Chang-hyun wondered if he was hallucinating.

‘He hit the first pitch into a line drive… that smacked the fence?’

Kim Chang-hyun let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head in disbelief as he muttered.

“That was entrance-test worthy…”

“Oh, Coach, it’s been a while.”

Phoenix scout Kim Eun-chan approached with a smile, but the coach merely glanced at him with a disinterested look before turning his eyes back.

“‘A while,’ you say… Why are you here today?”

“Isn’t today the friendly match with Dongshin High? I came to see if Seungtae would be pitching.”

“Lee Seungtae? He’s not here today.”

“What? Seungtae isn’t here?”

“Yeah. He didn’t show up at all today. I wonder if he’s sick or something.”

“I see…”

While Kim Eun-chan couldn’t hide his disappointment, Ji Su-yeon, who was beside him, chuckled and lightly tapped his shoulder.

“Senior, let’s just go to Myungshin High then. I heard they have a good shortstop.”

Kim Eun-chan glanced at the field, unable to let go of his attachment, but eventually nodded his head.

“Coach, it’s a shame, but we’ll be leaving now.”

Just as Kim Eun-chan was about to leave after a brief farewell, the coach called out to him.

“Hey, Kim Eun-chan.”

“Yes?”

“If you leave now, I think you’re going to regret it a lot.”

“What do you mean by that?”

The coach grinned as he spoke.

“An unbelievable kid just joined us.”

After the entrance test ended, the coach’s attitude towards me changed noticeably.

“Do you have a preferred number? Just say it.”

“No, I’m fine. I’ll take whatever you give me.”

“Look at this guy! Humble too? I knew there was something different about those who are good at baseball.”

“…Thank you.”

What’s going on here?

Is this the same person who treated me like I was crazy earlier?

“I’ll take care of the paperwork. From today, you just need to focus on the baseball team. Got it?”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Good. Now, let’s go introduce you to the rest of the team.”

As I followed the coach, I saw that the team members were already gathered.

“Attention, everyone. Today, we have a new member joining the baseball team. Taehyun, come forward and say a few words.”

“Hello. I’m Cha Taehyun, and I’ve just joined the baseball team. I look forward to working with you all.”

“…”

The response was lukewarm.

The coach clapped, and the others followed suit, but their expressions were cold.

Oh, except for Seo Jia.

For some reason, she was grinning and clapping enthusiastically.

“What position did you say you play?”

“Shortstop.”

Honestly, I can play any position, but shortstop is highly valued among fielders.

“Lee Chang-soo.”

“Yes.”

“You’re off the roster for today’s game against Dongshin High.”

“What…? Why am I suddenly being benched?”

The coach placed a hand on my shoulder as he spoke.

“I need to see what the new guy is capable of.”

“…Yes, understood.”

Lee Chang-soo responded in a low voice, his head slightly bowed.

It wasn’t obvious, but I could tell he was gritting his teeth.

Well, the coach is certainly not ordinary.

He follows a strict meritocracy, where even if you’re a new recruit, as long as you have the skill, seniority doesn’t matter.

This is so extreme that it created a monster like Lee Seungtae, but for me, it’s not a bad thing right now.

The more games I play, the more experience I can gain.

Though judging by the intense looks I’m getting from the other members… it seems my time with the baseball team won’t be easy.

After my introduction, the coach went back inside, and the team members quickly dispersed into groups.

The fact that they left me behind without any hesitation suggested that I had yet to be accepted by the team.

Well, except for Lee Jiho, who at least left me with a word as we were in the same class.

“Don’t cause any trouble here.”

This guy… Who do you think is making your life easier on the baseball team?

“…I miss Miyeon.”

“What? You miss me?”

“Whoa, you scared me… Can you at least give a warning before showing up?”

Somehow, Seo Jia was suddenly standing next to me.

“The coach told me to help you settle in. Follow me. I’ll show you around the baseball team.”

I hesitated because having Seo Jia as my guide was a bit concerning, but since I had no other option, I followed her quietly.

“This is the locker room. Let’s see… You can use locker number 12. Your uniform is already inside. You can put your personal items and gear in here too.”

“Oh, it’s really here? When did they prepare the uniform?”

“Well, I just kind of eyeballed the size and brought it.”

Considering that… it seems to fit too perfectly.

“Can I try this on now?”

“Sure.”

I quickly tore off the plastic wrapping and unfolded it.

Seeing the uniform brought back fond memories of my high school days.

“Aren’t you… going to leave?”

“Huh?”

“I’m going to try this on.”

“Oh, right… Sorry. I’ll go out.”

After confirming that Seo Jia had left, I put on the uniform.

“…Amazing.”

It fit my body perfectly, as if it had been measured with a tape.

Could that really be done just by eyeballing it?

I placed my school uniform in the locker and turned around—

Something… seemed to be peeking through the door gap.

Was that… an eye?

No, it couldn’t be…

Must have been a mistake.

“Let’s go. I’m dressed.”

“O-oh. It suits you! Come on, let’s keep going. See that room over there? That’s the lounge. Most of the members rest there. They’re probably inside now, so let’s go introduce you…”

Seo Jia stopped just as she was about to grab the lounge door.

There was no need to ask why she stopped.

I could hear it too.

“He’s a real legend today.”

“Yeah, what’s with a new recruit showing up in the middle of the semester?”

“What else? The coach must’ve taken some bribes since he’s nearing retirement.”

“Obviously.”

“But I haven’t seen Lee Seungtae or Kim Chang-hyun today.”

“Yeah, I wonder if the two of them are out on

a date.”

The coach took a bribe, huh…

Honestly, I can see why they’d think that. I’m quite an unusual case, after all.

That’s the most logical way to view it.

So, it doesn’t really bother me. Anyway, I’ll be playing today’s game, so I just need to prove myself then.

I really am fine.

But Seo Jia was glaring at the lounge door with her eyes squinted.

She seemed about ready to go inside, her hand reaching for the doorknob, but I stopped her.

“Leave it. Just continue showing me around.”

“But still!”

“Once the game’s over, it’ll all quiet down.”

Won’t it? I added, and only then did Seo Jia release the doorknob.

I was returning to the dugout after stopping by the restroom.

A man who looked utterly exhausted, with half-closed eyes, was waiting for me.

“Cha Taehyun, right? I’m Ji Chang-seop. I was the catcher during your entrance test. Have you spoken to any of the other guys yet?”

“Not yet.”

“I see. Well, that’s a relief.”

“…What?”

“Chang-hyun and I saw it with our own eyes, but the other guys think you only got in because of the coach. They’ve been badmouthing you nonstop.”

Ji Chang-seop rummaged through his pockets, pulled something out, and put it in my hand.

A chocolate bar…?

“They’re only talking like that because they haven’t seen your hitting. If they say anything harsh, just ignore it.”

“Thanks.”

“Thanks? If you’re grateful, carry the team today. Chang-hyun’s relying on you.”

Chang-hyun is relying on me?

I wanted to ask what he meant, but Ji Chang-seop turned his back and disappeared before I could.

I unwrapped the mini chocolate bar in my hand, popped it into my mouth, and headed for the dugout.

Dongshin High and Hyuksan High are long-time rivals.

The schools are close in proximity, have a long history, and have similar records. Whenever they face each other, the match is never easy.

Because of this, they’re quite conscious of each other.

It’s like a Korea-Japan match, where even losing at rock-paper-scissors isn’t acceptable.

The match between Hyuksan and Dongshin High is a matter of pride.

Even if it’s just a friendly game.

So, many were displeased with today’s lineup.

They couldn’t understand why the coach benched Lee Chang-soo, who had been performing well, and put in an unknown new recruit as a starter.

“What? Leadoff batter, Cha Taehyun? This is ridiculous.”

Not as a lower-order hitter but as the leadoff batter who sets the tone for the game.

“How much money did he have to give to get the starting spot on his first day as number one?”

“So damn envious. If you’re rich, just live your luxurious life quietly. Why do you have to play baseball?”

“Tell me about it. Chang-soo must be so pissed off.”

‘So they think it’s a bribe… These idiots.’

Kim Chang-hyun, who was listening quietly with his head down, was fuming.

Sure, he had similar thoughts earlier, but he hadn’t said them out loud, so it was okay.

‘They’ll be so embarrassed later… Taehyun definitely didn’t get in through the coach’s backing.’

Kim Chang-hyun was even smirking, confident that Cha Taehyun would soon prove himself. However, in reality…

‘Please hit, Cha Taehyun!’

‘No, you must hit, Cha Taehyun!’

‘If you don’t hit, I’ll become the pitcher who served up a meatball to a newbie who got in through favoritism!’

He was completely freaking out.

It might not seem like a big deal, but as someone who took great pride in being the team’s second-string pitcher, it was a major issue for him.

As Cha Taehyun stepped into the batter’s box, Kim Chang-hyun clasped his hands together as if in prayer.

“Hey, Kim Chang-hyun, what are you doing?”

Kim Chang-hyun hastily released his hands and looked up.

“…Just meditating for a moment.”

“What, did you eat something weird? Anyway, isn’t this so messed up? Not only did they put in some no-name guy as a starter, but they also made him the leadoff batter? It’s a good thing this is just a friendly match.”

Kim Chang-hyun’s face turned serious for a moment.

“He could be really good, you know? Maybe the coach picked up a genius or something.”

“Hey, did you hear this guy? He thinks the guy up there is some genius hitter. Hahaha!”

Laughter spread contagiously.

It was loud enough that Taehyun might be able to hear it in the batter’s box.

But Cha Taehyun simply stood in his stance, glaring fiercely at the pitcher.

“Our genius hitter’s skills are about to be revealed! Oh, his stance looks pretty decent. Think he can actually swing the bat?”

Another burst of laughter erupted.

But less than ten seconds after the call to start the game—

Smack!

The deafening sound of a solid hit sent silence rippling through the dugout.

The guy who had been clutching his stomach from laughter,

Lee Chang-soo, who had been glaring with a furrowed brow,

And the ones next to Kim Chang-hyun who had been busy sneering,

They all raised their heads, following the ball in astonishment.

The ball showed no sign of stopping and eventually flew over the fence.

Only then did the team members turn to look at Cha Taehyun.

Cha Taehyun was looking at the dugout.

A smirk on his face, as if to say:

‘Happy now?’

Turning back, Cha Taehyun set down his bat and began jogging toward first base.

“Taehyun—!”

As Seo Jia ran out to cheer him on—

“That’s it! That’s it! Cha Taehyun!!!”

Kim Chang-hyun pushed her aside, rushing forward to yell in excitement.

—