Swinging for the Fences 1

Let's play ball!

All right, everyone!

This is a practice match, so no need to be nervous.

The opposing team is just a bunch of robots... Don't worry about getting booed or hit by a pitch.

Wait, the Engineering Department made these?! That's super dangerous!

The pitching machine we got from them was merciless! It kept throwing balls as fast as the pros!

That darn robot would even taunt us before pitching!

Mmm, I know all of us are traumatized from that game...

But Seminar said they fixed all the bugs. We have nothing to fear this time.

Now let's go play some good old baseball.

Strike three! You're out!

Ugh... Struck out again.

The pitching's too fast.

Next up, Millennium Baseball Club's cleanup batter, Nomasa Rei.

Hey, isn't she the rookie who just joined?

I heard she's an ace with an incredible 0.08 batting average...

Wait, she hits 8 out of every 100 balls? I can't even hit 1...

Aw, come on, girls. You're making me blush. Heeheehee...

Rei! Look out! The pitcher...

(Wind it up and...)

Here it comes!

She hit it!

At that speed?!

Look at it go!

No way! Is this the first home run of the season?

...Flyout!

*sigh*

Inning complete. Defense team, take positions!

...And that's game. Good work, everyone!

Good game!

You were on fire today, Rei!

Same to you. Good job out there!

I really thought we were gonna see a home run today...

Yeah. There was some real power behind that swing.

Thanks...but...

That was no home run. I knew it the moment I hit the ball...

You could tell just from feeling the hit?

N-Not quite. I mean I've never ever landed a home run before.

...It just didn't have that "kablam" feeling that comes from a real home run.

Uhh...if you say so...

Well, I still have plenty of games left to bat a real one.

You gals wouldn't happen to have any tips for hitting home runs would you?

Home run tips? I think launch angles are important?

A flying ball has constant acceleration movement vertically, and uniform linear motion horizontally. It reaches its maximum distance when struck at an angle of 45 degrees.

No way! That ballistic equation only works in a vacuum. It's only considering the force of gravity. There are many other factors!

For a more accurate calculation, we need to consider drag and lift.

The material of the bat is also important. You can get a faster swing if the bat is light with a lot of repulsive force.

I heard the New Material Development Club did a report on the bat they made...

Maybe if you position yourself according to the golden rectangle, you can use the "spin" on the bat to...

I guess there's no magic formula to land a home run...

Maybe I just need some more muscle training?

M-Muscle training?

But muscle training is... *gasp* exercise.

Don't do it! The Millennium Baseball Club is a theoretical one. Our focus is on equipment, record keeping, and theory! Not training!

Besides...you don't NEED to land home runs, right? Just get some good hits in and score some points.

Right. The number of successful hits is more important than home runs when it comes to winning games.

I know that, but I still want to land a home run!

Sorry, Rei. Our club can't really help when it comes to getting better at the game itself.

I'm the president, and even I'm not in very competitive shape. All I've got for you is theory on how to score more hits.

...I see.

That said, I do know of an expert.

Have you heard of the Athletics Training Club?

The Athletics Training Club?

The new girl is running late...

If she keeps missing sessions, she's going to lose muscle.

...Figures. She probably gave up on training after yesterday's workout.

It feels like we're bleeding members. For both the Athletics Training Club, and the fitness club we work out in.

Maybe I need to go out and recruit new members myself...

Excuse me. Is this the Athletics Training Club?

Why yes it is...

Hello, I'm Nomasa Rei from the Millennium Baseball Club.

I talked to my president about getting some training to improve my batting average...

Training?

And she said your club would be great for strengthening my muscles.

Muscles!

There's only so much I can do on my own, but I've heard the Athletics Training Club's regimens are based on science.

Would it be all right if I joined until the next inter-high baseball season?

Sorry. I realize this is such a big ask. And on such short notice too...

I'll come back next week to give you time to think it...

Let's start right now!

H-Huh?

The effectiveness of training is like day and night if you've got the right mindset!

Once you've chosen the path of fitness, there's no time to waste!

Even just standing there, your muscles are shrinking bit by bit!

Let's fix that! Give me ten sets of squats! Do it!

W-Wait! I haven't even changed yet!