Blue Archive story · Club stories, Story 3
Swinging for the Fences 3
1 scenes, 80 lines
1. Gehenna District Minor League Stadium / Millennium Fitness Club
80 lines
Yep. It's only a minor league game for rookies, on top of being a Monday.
Don't make that face. You were the one who ran us out to the first game you could find...
...That said, it does feel nice to be back in the stands.
Especially at a minor league game. The crowd's small. You can sit right up next to the players.
Quite a few baseball fans only go to minor league games for those reasons alone.
Hm? It's a hot dog.
Now Rei... I don't want to enforce a strict diet on you. But processed food with lots of fat can block up your digestive system and significantly lessen the effectiveness of our training.
If you're feeling peckish, a protein bar is a much better choice. It has a great balance of protein and carbohydrates...
No way! We can't come all the way to Gehenna and skip out on their trademark scorching hell hot dogs!
A scorching hell hot dog?
Yes. See, every stadium sells snacks and drinks so you can have something to eat while watching the game.
They're usually pretty generic, but some stadiums sell delicious treats based on the home team!
Here in Gehenna, they have scorching hell hot dogs. They're made from a rare, super spicy sausage. They're so good!
Each academy's stadium has their own delicacy. So not only do you get to see an exciting game, you get to have yummy food too!
Well... All right. But try to only have one.
Oh! I forgot to put on some chili sauce.
Although, the sausage is pretty well seasoned, so with the chili, it's extra spicy.
Then after a bite, I wash it all down with a nice ginger ale...
Mmm bmm... Now this is baseball!
Oh, feel free to order whatever you want, Sumire. I'll treat you!
...One unsalted chicken breast salad please.
Do they even have healthy food like that at a stadium?
...It seems that the game's begun.
This is my first time watching Gehenna players on the field. Is their club any good?
Well... With a motto like "Freedom, chaos, and trouble!", as good as they can be.
They have talented players, but they lack strong teamwork.
That said, even their minor league team is way better than the Millennium Baseball Club...
But we're not here to play, we're here to watch. So let's forget our affiliations and focus on cheering!
Let's go, Gehenna! Break a leg!
The second hitter of Gehenna is at bat. Looks like it's gonna be a fastball...and that's a hit!
The ball's all the way in the middle of the outfield! The batter nabs first base. She's gunning for second...
...Oh no too greedy! She's out!
Ugh, that was a chance for a nice two-bagger... What a shame.
If you need to step on the base before the defender's hand tags you...
Can't you just kick the second baseman with a spinning slide kick?
Of course not!
The Gehenna baseball club lost their game, in spite of having Rei as a cheerleader...
...What a downer of a game. They could've won if the opposing team didn't land that super save at the end.
I agree.
If I was the runner, I would have gone past the defender with a shoulder charge and sprinted towards the base.
And that one Gehenna batter should build up her deltoids more.
Are you sure you understand how baseball works, Sumire?
That said, it's been a while since I got to enjoy a game with someone. It feels nice.
Training is important for a fitness club. But watching sports, seeing others compete with the fruits of their training is great for your own motivation as well.
Is it always training day inside that head of yours?
...Yes.
The stadium wasn't too crowded then...just like today.
Some folks came for food. Others wanted to take photos with their favorite players. A few were scouting new talent for their teams. Everyone had a different reason to come to the stadium.
But in the end, all eyes were on the batter when she made that home run.
The arc the ball drew across the sky was beautiful. But that moment of the batter jogging around the field with nothing in her way? It was so cool.
It's funny. I had forgotten most of that entire game, despite how much I talked about the home run.
Having an end goal for your training is important.
It could be lifting 100 kg or hitting a homerun. But without a goal, exercise is nothing more than self-inflicted pain.
There has to be a reason for each lift, each swing. Something that drives you to struggle for each step, when common sense begs you to take the easy road.
Just like how the person who wants to deadlift 100 kg isn't just trying to pick up a number, your goal must be more than simply swatting a ball far away. Otherwise, you won't fight for it.
As there are many things to enjoy about baseball, there are many things to enjoy about training too.
One of those things is pursuing a worthy goal. Because instead of dreading each new challenge, it grants you the will to overcome them.
Ready to go back to training with me, Rei?
Is there a problem, Rei?
Why does this machine have shackles built in?
I see you've been trying out the new squat machine I bought.
This baby is a test product I commissioned from the Engineering Department. It has a special device installed that ensures your legs stay in place until you finish your set.
It'll help our weak-willed members to finish their reps! There's even a lock-in device that fixes your posture so your squats can have proper form!
If you can't stop when you want to, isn't that just a torture device?!
And you said this exercise would help with my batting average... How do torture squats help me swing a bat?!
Leg muscles play vital roles when it comes to pitching and swinging.
Putting force into the ball requires you to lock in your joints, which requires a strong core. If you don't build up your muscles properly, you could get hurt.
On that note, we shouldn't skip out on "leg day" either.
Enough squats. Let's switch over to lunges!
Swinging for the Fences