Baseball: A Two-Way Player-Chapter 564 - 131: The Ultimate Battle

Fukuoka Yahoo Dome, two hours remain before the start of the fourth round of the Japan Championship.

Before even stepping inside the stadium, the scorching atmosphere already hits you:

The entrances of the Yahoo Dome are jam-packed with SoftBank Hawks fans, wearing both home and away jerseys, donning yellow and black caps embroidered with the team's crest, waving various support towels, gathering here like pilgrims from Kyushu and all over Japan.

The air is filled with the aroma of malt beer and grilled chicken skewers, amidst the chatter and cheers of the home team fans. There's not a hint of impending battle tension or solemnity on their faces; instead, they seem as if they're about to join in a grand ceremonial celebration.

Walking through the long entrance passage, a tidal wave of sound engulfs you instantly: looking around, there's hardly a gap to be found in the circular stands of the entire Yahoo Dome; the whole stadium is adorned with the yellow, black, and white colors of the Softbank Team.

Above the outfield stands, the massive Eagle's Vision electronic screen is cyclically playing highlights from the first three matches of the series, especially Lin Guanglai's stunning three home runs and strikeout moments in the first game, each replay eliciting cheers as roaring as a tsunami.

Below the fan stands, led by Softbank Team mascot Harry Hawk and his family members, the entire home team fans sing together the song "Forward! Young Hawk Squadron"—

"Forged wings in the tidal winds of Genkai, strong and powerful~"

"Graceful like a swift wind, soaring towards glory~"

...

"On the battlefield fighting for the championship flag, the spirit burns, defeating the enemy~"

"Each pitch and hit sparks, the white ball surges, calling for a storm~"

...

"If you fight with all your strength, victory will surely reside here~"

"Wave the magnificent championship flag under the dazzling sky~"

"Forward, invincible Young Hawk Squadron! Forward, fiery Young Hawk Squadron!"

"Our, our, SoftBank Hawks!!!"

This song, born in 1989, has accompanied the team since the days when the Hawks played at Heiwadai Stadium, witnessing the team's ups and downs—on game days, the corresponding lyrics will resound throughout the stadium.

And today, as the team's one step away from the throne of Japan's Number One, the DJ on site plays the full version of the song that hasn't been heard in a while: typically, the third stanza about victory and the championship flag only plays when the team has won the league championship or Japan's Number One.

As the lights gradually dim, leaving only the spotlight focused on the field, the whole venue instantly quiets down, many trembling with excitement—because they know, this signifies the official start of the game!

Along with the rise of exhilarating music, the on-site commentary stretches and prolongs their voice, and each Softbank player emerging from the player tunnel receives roaring cheers and extended introductions from the entire fan base.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome with your greatest enthusiasm and applause, today's fifth hitter—"

"Lin—Guang—lai—!!!"

When Lin Guanglai's name is spoken, and his voice appears under the lights at the player tunnel exit, the entire Yahoo Dome erupts instantly:

Even before the match begins, the waves of sound on site have already reached an unprecedented peak, the white-yellow towels swirling like ocean waves in a storm, the sound of camera shutters in the media area continuous, and the flashbulbs blindingly frequent.

All lights, all cameras, all focuses, at this moment are concentrated solely on him—everyone is eagerly anticipating tonight, when this epoch-making genius may bring the championship flag back to the land of Kyushu.

With the conclusion of the pre-game ceremony, the broadcasters in the studio also begin their work—TBS Television, responsible for today's broadcast, shows considerable regard, dispatching a star commentary team to the Fukuoka site.

"Good evening to all professional baseball fans, I am Sakurai Koji, responsible for commentary today..." After an opening in the central camera, TBS's ace commentator Sakurai Koji starts introducing the senior guests beside him.

"On my left, with a career spanning Tokyo Yakult Swallows and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, recently retired this season with 2167 career hits, player Atsunori Inaba."

"On the right, familiar to everyone as the 'Great Demon God', with a career in Yokohama BayStars and Seattle Mariners, 381 career saves between Japan and the US, player Sasaki Kazuhiro."

"Gentlemen, what's your take on today's game?"

When Sakurai Koji throws such a topic over, Atsunori Inaba and Sasaki Kazuhiro beside him exchange a tacit glance, a rather subtle smile appearing on their faces.

After pondering slightly over the words in his mind, Sasaki Kazuhiro finally speaks first: "Although this may sound brutal to Hanshin Tigers fans, I would still say, this series has in reality already ended..."

"At least judging from the competitive states exhibited by both teams' players in the first three matches, they are completely not on the same level... Frankly, I can very much understand why Hanshin's players performed so poorly—their perspective towards baseball would have been utterly overturned after the first match, such mindset isn't one that can be adjusted in a short period, especially not in a short series."