1st At Bat [Video]

[batteredbatter]

[Do you like the color pink? Because good god, this kid's hair is pink. And his baseball uniform, somehow. What school did he even drag that from? It certainly isn't THIS school's baseball uniform. Does the Institute even have a team...?]

Well, we all survived the first week of classes and made it to the weekend so... I think it's time to get down to the important business here finally: who wants to play baseball?

[Look at this loser, he is so excited.]

I used to be a pitcher for my middle-school team! Hmm, though I wonder how that would work here – y’know, with all the, uh, advantages people have got. Are there any special rules for sports here?
Well, I guess we can just trust no one will cheat. I mean, what’d be the point in playing then? So yeah, if there are any other players – or people who want to learn how to play – come on and out to the quad and let’s get a couple teams together, okay? The weather's still pretty nice and the light's long, so let's get in some games before the season ends!

Comments

voice;

[presto_turn]

For the soccer club, we used to play with powers allowed half the time and without them the other half, so people with different abilities wouldn't be left out.

[Baseball is not really Shindou's game, but he sounds upbeat enough just talking about organizing sports stuff.]

If someone's powers affected the game and couldn't be turned off, we had to decide what to do case-by-case, but we never had any major problems, that way.

[Video]

[batteredbatter]

Huh, that seems like a cool way to do it! It would be kind of cool to see what people can do, if everyone agrees to it.

I wonder what kind of powers that would be...

[presto_turn]

It kept things interesting, as long as everyone remembered to be careful. Baseball would be easier, I'd think, since there's less contact...

[A small, thoughtful hum.]

Enhanced strength and speed were the ones we had to pay the most attention to. Not everyone can just tone them down to baseline levels.

[batteredbatter]

That's true - other than some sliding, you don't usually run into other players much.

Oh, I hadn't thought of that! I guess if it's something you don't even think about using... [Hasn't... even realized his own power gives him ridiculous stamina/endurance for pitching...] Plus like, how far do you turn it down? Olympic athlete? Highschooler? Wimp? That does sound like it'd be hard to monitor.

[presto_turn]

Right. We just tried to play around it, unless it was something where a power totally broke the game.

You might have to pay more attention for baseball, though? In case home-runs ended up being too easy or something like that...?

[He doesn't sound sure! Soccer was always the predominant sport at home and at his old school, so he really only knows the basics of the other game...]

[voice]

[kickstart_my_heart]

Oh man I've always wanted to play baseball! My parents watched cricket and it's so boring in comparison, let me tell you.

[batteredbatter]

Cricket... is that the British game where it's like baseball but there's only two bases?

[kickstart_my_heart]

K-... kind of. The damn game has too many rules and I'm in no mood to talk about them. Bore us both to death, it will.

[batteredbatter]

But I'm thinking of the right one?

Well, I think just talking about the rules of baseball isn't nearly as fun as playing - or watching - it either. It's definitely a fun game though!

[video]

[ladyliberty]

You guys need a coach?

[batteredbatter]

Maybe if we make a team - wait, is there a team here? [He tried looking for one...]

Today might just be an informal game, but any help or supervision would be great!

[ladyliberty]

Not an official one, but we've had some teams before. I guess it's been a while.

You got much interest yet?

[batteredbatter]

Oh right, I guess the school did just reopen, huh?

I think I've got a few people at least! [Presumably at least a couple NPC students have replied favorably] So you play?

Video;

[spes_phthisica]

[This sounds fun, but... sigh.]

I'm afraid I can't play ball games. It's a power thing. [And when it comes to sports in general, it's an extra-adrenaline-is-not-what-he-needs thing.] But there's so much people around here, I'm sure you'll get a team going in no time.

[batteredbatter]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, you can always come watch?

I hope that's true.

[spes_phthisica]

[Wince.] Probably not, right now. Balls go astray sometimes, right? If one hit me it would be... bad.

[Try 'disastrous'.]

But sports clubs seem to be a thing, so you can probably get help from teachers too!

[batteredbatter]

I didn't think of that... you have a weak body or something? [Wait that's kind of invasive, isn't it?] Not that you have to tell me!

Yeah, hopefully. I guess if the school just re-opened there might not be an actual team right now, huh?

[tofudog]

I've only played catch, but if you wanna teach me the real version then I wanna play! How different can it be from the video games?

[And they can have the shortest high school baseleball team in recorded history.]

[batteredbatter]

Well, pretty different! [He's smiling though] You're not gonna get to see a power meter when you're up to bat, for starters.

[At least it's not basketball?]

'baseleball' oh my god my typo what the fuck

[tofudog]

[He grins back.] Next you'll be saying there's no buttons to mash to run!

....i didn't even notice. we're amazing. JUST PRETEND IT'S FRENCH

[batteredbatter]

It gets worse - there's no special attacks either.

[Then he remembers where they are]

Uh, normally, anyway.

video;

[upatbat]

[Okay, this loser being excited got Aki's attention, and now she's definitely interested.]

Baseball, huh? I've never played on a real team before, but I wasn't too bad at batting with my friends. Is that good enough?

[batteredbatter]

Sure! As long as you want to play and are willing to learn, I'm happy with anyone who wants to join in!

[upatbat]

Really? Great! I'm willing to learn, if someone's up to teaching me properly.

[She nods, grinning.]

[batteredbatter]

Yeah, I expect a lot of new players, so we'll be going over all the rules and the basics to get everyone on the same page.