She just stared for a few seconds before turning her back on me and continued walking until I can’t see her anymore.
‘This is getting more and more interesting'
I also continued walking back to the bullpen and thought of strategies that would help me win with the team I had now. I had to evaluate all of them.
It was a bit late for me to call for each of them, so I just observed every one of them based on the movements they were showing.
-2 hours later-
While I was calmly observing every player on the team, the bell that sounds like the start of the game rang.
I was feeling dizzy when I stood up, so when I closed my eyes I felt a sensation of relief, but when I opened my eyes, the sight of the whole stadium was just at the hologram in front of me. Different boxes appeared on the left which looks like people and boxes on the right also appeared which looks like controls.
I took a bit of time observing the UI and when I observed the UIs on the left and I saw a very familiar name. It was Kevin and Marcus.
‘What the hell did I get myself into’
The events that happened came straight out of a fantasy. I always wondered how this type of stuff would do if ever this became part of reality; guess what, IT DID.
It took a bit of time but I managed to somehow understand what the UIs do, I took a clean look at my surroundings and below me was the stadium itself, and it looks like I was a floating entity. I took a look on the other side of the stadium which is a part of my hologram, but the opponent’s UIs weren’t there.
‘I’m pretty sure I’m up against someone right now'
The hologram grew 2 times its size and counted down for about 10 seconds
‘What the fuck, so I won’t physically play. I will control how my team plays?’
10 seconds passed and the first at-bat was my team.
A mini UI popped up on which action I should take; whether it's either a bunt, a sacrifice fly, full swing, fast swing, fake bunt, or do nothing.
I was mesmerized by how detailed how many choices were on how I should attack the at-bat team.
I chose to do nothing at the first ball to see how the opponent’s pitcher plays this out and how fast the type of ball he pitches.
He then pitches and throws an inside fastball ranging around 148kph; as expected of the big leagues; this speed is reasonable.
I chose to do a fast swing on the next ball and a small UI popped up which tells me to press then hold and release when to swing.
The ball thrown by the pitcher was another fastball but this time it was on the outside which I couldn’t time right, which led me to a swing and a miss with a 2-0 count.
‘This is hard, I have to time everything right. I’m pretty sure the opponent I’m battling with right now is having the time of his life’
On the third ball, I chose to do a full swing. ‘I have to time this earlier to make the ball fly out on the outside field’
The third pitch was thrown and I looked very carefully and timed it right for a fastball, but it ended up with a swing and a miss causing us the first out without any bases loaded.
The second runner stood in front of the plate and it showed me another set of skills the guy has.
It showed almost the same as my first batter but this one is missing a sacrifice fly but has a fake bunt then swing option.
I chose to not waste my options and went for a fast swing on the first ball.
‘If the odds are on me, he will surely do another fastball on the inside’
The ball was thrown and I timed it perfectly and it was cleanly hit to the outside and another small UI popped up again on whether I have the choice to go to the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd base. I chose second base as my runner reached the second base with ease while the ball was still rolling on the outside. The next batter stood on the plate, then another small UI popped up about whether I should steal the 3rd base.
‘This is very interesting. If I chose to do a sacrifice fly right now or hit it on the outfield, I could very much likely score the 1st run of the game, but it will also be the cost of another out for my team.’
I never choose risky plays so I did not swing on the first ball. "BALL"
I chose not to swing the 2nd time around. "BALL"
'The count is now 0-2 (0 strikes, 2 balls), he should be going for a strike right now'
I just have to know what this pitcher's pitching arsenal is, and I can create a plan for the next runner.
I waited for the swing control UI and waited for the pitch.
'This feels like I'm the one playing the entire roster, but I don't feel any physical exhaustion'
I swung but managed to graze the ball. "Foul"
'That was a Sinker, what more does his pitcher has'
The count was 1-2. "show me what you got"
I waited for the control UI to pop up again. "FOUL"
'A simple speedy fastball huh? He should be aiming to get an out right now to up his chances of winning'
My opponent immediately threw a fastball down the middle. "What a fool, but I want more"
I swung making the ball land on the near outside left field to make my runner run on the 2nd base while making my 3rd stay. "2 bases loaded with one out"
A small UI popped out on the side while I was waiting for the pitch to come and it said something about pressure. 'This ain't good, what the hell is this 1st cleanup hitter thinking?'
I need to act fast or it can cause me a double play. The swing UI popped up and it was very different than usual, it was smaller and a bit harder to time. 'I see, so this is how pressure works'
I clicked on the skill where he gets into a bunting position and then swings right after the ball gets thrown. I just had to time it right to at least make him run for first base.
The ball was thrown and it was a sinker. I barely touched the ball but I managed to roll the ball inside the field.
I made the runners on the 3rd base and 2nd base stay and made my batter take the 1st base.
1 out with all bases loaded.
'This is where my plan will begin'
I then waited for the UI for the swing to pop out. I chose the only swing type I can see common to all my at-bat players. "I'll make you forfeit HAHAHAHA". This is very fun.
A seamless Evil smile showed through my face. It was a mesmerizing feeling. This is what I wanted.
The bell signaling the start and end of a game rang once more.
Everything Blacked Out and a small UI popped out in front of me.
Innings: 1, Rounds Played: One, Rounds Won: Two, Total Game Time: 35 minutes, Winning Condition: Enemy Forfeit
I looked at the bottom part where the score is highlighted. "This is fucking easy HAHAHAHA, I can't believe I got matched up with an idiot".
Score (First Half): 16-?, Score (2nd Half): 16-0
I laughed my heart out without a care in the world..
End of Chapter 4
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