It was such a terrible defeat that it was hard to believe that it was a two-goal difference. Far from being the eighth zero-loss game, Maddux scored his second no-walk shutout. Before it was a four-pitch score, not a single player could reach second base. It was a very lonely match for a huge crowd of 36,061.
Two of the four hits came at No. 1 Okabayashi. In the first and sixth innings, he caught the first pitch straight. I'm not going to write that multi-hit hits are "hope" in a game like this, but for Okabayashi, it's "enlightenment." That's because both shots were hit back in front of the center.
I didn't expect to be in such a predicament three months ago in Okinawa. Almost every day, Okabayashi was knocked on the sub ground. However, the infield, not the outfield. It was always the defensive position at second base that was silently received.
I didn't want to learn the art of catching balls, nor did I have the desire to challenge the infield. He had incorporated defensive exercises to hit. Staff are waiting at second base. Instead of throwing to first base, catch and toss. Catch, toss.... I was told about his intention.
"I'm a left-handed hitter, so when I toss, I accumulate it in my left hip joint and then shift my weight. I wanted my body to learn those movements."
The ideal swing he is aiming for is firmly attached to the pivot foot (left foot) and rotates like a top with the feeling of sticking an imaginary skewer into the center of the body. In addition to strengthening the lower body, the second base knock was the best way to replicate the weight shift of left-handed hitters.
"When we can do that well, it should be a hit in front of the center."
Hit the fastball back hard in the direction of the pitcher. Ideal swing, ideal hit. I was struggling right after the start of the season, but I'm finally able to do it. Okinawa's second base knock was for a reason. Three months later, the results began to be delivered.