Chapter 113: Chapter 12: Goal, Japan’s Number One
"Guanglai, are you willing to serve as the team captain for the next two years?"
When Mr. Izumi asked this question, Lin Guanglai’s first reaction was to refuse—
Although the third-year seniors had already retired, the team still had strong second-year players like Shigetsugu and Yasuda. In the baseball club, where the relationship between seniors and juniors is highly valued, it seemed unlikely for someone like him to take on the role of captain.
But when he looked up and saw the serious and earnest gaze of Mr. Izumi, Lin Guanglai could sense that this was a decision made after careful consideration.
With the retirement of third-year player Suzuki Kensuke, Waseda Jitsugyo urgently needed a captain who not only had skills and leadership but could also convince all team members to follow.
Among the three second-year starters selected for this summer’s starting nine, Mr. Izumi had some dissatisfaction with each of them.
Chongxin Shen Zhong was a low-key, strong player, with outstanding skills but a somewhat reticent personality. He was quiet both on and off the field.
Kenshu Yasuda was a core member of the team’s lineup, boasting a high batting average and strong power, with a very outgoing personality capable of connecting with all teammates.
However, his biggest drawback was his fluctuating form: once he encountered setbacks during a game, Kenshu Yasuda would easily be affected, plunging into a depressive atmosphere from which he couldn’t extricate himself. Mr. Izumi found it hard to imagine the atmosphere in the team dugout during tough times if Yasuda were captain.
As for Matsunaga Kenta, the team’s main shortstop, his batting and fielding skills were commendable, but his temperament was somewhat impetuous and needed more refinement.
The second-year key players all had some issues, which made Mr. Izumi hesitant to appoint a captain—during Lin Guanglai’s absence, Kenshu Yasuda served as the acting captain.
The idea of appointing Lin Guanglai as the team captain was thanks to the former captain Suzuki Kensuke. After the Summer甲 tournament, Suzuki approached Mr. Izumi to express his thoughts on making Lin Guanglai the team captain.
In Suzuki Kensuke’s view, the first-year Lin Guanglai’s abilities surpassed many third-year players. He had already won over the older players with his prowess.
In past games, he frequently displayed strong psychological resilience, shouldering the team and rescuing it from predicaments time after time.
Moreover, being the only first-year player selected for the Summer甲 roster, Lin Guanglai maintained good relationships with the seniors; his cohort of first-year players subtly regarded him as a central figure.
If there was any hesitation, it was due to his too-young first-year status—but in a sports club where strength is paramount, this was hardly a concern.
Having considered Suzuki Kensuke’s opinion, Mr. Izumi also found the idea feasible and wanted to seek Lin Guanglai’s thoughts once he rejoined the team.
Lin Guanglai did not immediately respond; he needed some time to think.
Those who are capable are always required to take on more responsibility; this rule holds true everywhere.
To others, becoming the team captain as a first-year player seemed like a glorious opportunity; however, it was far from simple.
Becoming captain indeed meant more attention; but with it came greater pressure:
A player only needs to be responsible for themselves, whereas a team captain must account for the entire team—as long as the team keeps winning, it’s not a problem; but once defeated, the captain becomes the media and supporters’ target, inevitably.
Especially in a team like Waseda Jitsugyo, which is heavily scrutinized by the media, Lin Guanglai could fully envision the storm of attention from Takano Media if he were to step into the captain’s role.
Lin Guanglai wasn’t afraid of responsibility; he was just pondering if he had the ability to be accountable to the entire team, to every game, and to every team member.
Seeing Lin Guanglai’s hesitation, Mr. Izumi didn’t push him for an immediate decision but instead redirected the conversation back to stories from his time in the U.S., and they enjoyed a pleasant chat.
As their conversation was winding down, Mr. Izumi received Lin Guanglai’s clear response.
"Mr. Izumi," Lin Guanglai said, with an unprecedentedly solemn tone, "I am willing to be the team captain."
"During this summer’s Koshien, I couldn’t hit the final pitch, and seeing the seniors in tears, I felt very unwilling."
"So, if possible, in the upcoming autumn tournament, I hope the team can compete for a spot in next year’s Senbatsu High School Baseball Tournament."
"Our goal at Waseda Jitsugyo is singular—Japan’s Number One!"
Standing before his teammates, Lin Guanglai declared his captain’s manifesto with a loud voice and the most determined tone.
"This summer, it was an honor to create wonderful yet regretful memories with our retired seniors."
"In the coming days, I also want to create shared memories with everyone—but this time, I don’t want any regrets!"
"Everyone, let’s aim for the Senbatsu! This is my goal, and also our goal!"
"Let’s go further than this year, and stride toward the dream of Japan’s Number One!"
The passionate words echoed through the Sadaharu Oh Memorial Stadium and resonated in the heart of every member of the Waseda Jitsugyo Baseball Club.
It must be said, Lin Guanglai was indeed a natural leader, capturing everyone’s hearts with just a few words:
As members of a prestigious private team, which player present didn’t want to become a champion?
Moreover, the team, led by the retiring seniors, had achieved a notable fourth place this summer; as their successors, showing a significant drop in performance would mean acknowledging their incompetence, right?
Therefore, this batch of Waseda Jitsugyo players was also eager to prove themselves with tangible achievements—and securing a spot in the Senbatsu was that opportunity.
Unlike Summer甲, there are no qualifiers for the Senbatsu; the selection committee chooses participants based on subjective evaluations.
Among the 32 teams selected, three spots are reserved for "21st-century quota" schools, awarded as a commendation for overcoming various adversities and serving as role models;
one spot is awarded to the region winning the Shengong tournament, and the rest are distributed among various regions.
Because the Kantou Region and Tokyo Region share a spot, Waseda Jitsugyo must at least reach the finals of the Autumn Tokyo Tournament to have a chance at a Senbatsu spot;
of course, winning the autumn tournament to secure a Senbatsu place would be the best outcome.
The autumn tournament doesn’t divide into West Tokyo and East Tokyo districts like the Summer甲 qualifiers, which also means the competition is several times more intense.
For this new Waseda Jitsugyo team, there’s much that needs to be done...