Baseball: A Two-Way Player

When the staff inside Koshien Stadium finished setting up, the awards ceremony officially commenced!

With the team lined up, Lin Guanglai, the captain of the team, walked at the forefront, following the girl holding the school sign, leading the 18 selected players of Waseda Jitsugyo into the venue.

The players of Waseda Industries and Tokai University Sagami High School stood on either side of the pitcher's mound, while in front at home plate stood the podium — on it was Oshima Takakou, the current president of the Japan High School Baseball Federation.

At this moment, Oshima Takakou was filled with delight:

From the selection round of the Senbatsu High School Baseball Tournament, Oshima Takakou had always supported Waseda Jitsugyo reaching Koshien — no one understands better as a practitioner how the birth of a Koshien star can greatly drive the development of high school baseball and attract immense attention.

As the president of Takano Ren, Oshima Takakou naturally welcomed this, and Waseda Jitsugyo's championship brought him an unexpected surprise — with this victory, Lin Guanglai's fame might rise yet another notch; correspondingly, more outsiders might choose to pay attention to high school baseball because of Lin Guanglai.

When Lin Guanglai, as a leader of the younger generation, first conquered the pinnacle of Koshien, how many players of his age will be inspired by his crazy performance to bravely climb higher?

How many children in front of the television will be motivated by him, finally deciding to throw themselves into the sport of baseball?

In today's Japan, as the status of soccer, basketball, and other sports gradually rises, baseball's status as the national sport is actually facing threats — and it is precisely at this time that such a handsome and extraordinarily talented star player emerges, how could this not make Oshima Takakou happy?

Moreover, as the president of Takano Ren, he knows that there are many powerful rising stars among this generation of players about to reach their breakout periods — it is foreseeable that the coming years will be a golden era for high school baseball.

Therefore, in the conference summary, besides mourning and commemorating the earthquake victims, Oshima Takakou also gave Waseda Industrial School high praise and commendation, believing their journey to win the Senbatsu Tournament injected a 'shot in the arm' for the affected people, greatly encouraging post-disaster reconstruction, bringing hope and passion to the people.

Though being praised feels good, at Waseda Jitsugyo, no one can hear what Oshima Takakou is saying at this moment — all eyes are drawn to the victory flag beside him, fluttering in the spring breeze.

When Oshima Takakou finished his speech, the award ceremony for the victory flag, victory shield, and medals formally began!

Even before the award ceremony started, Lin Guanglai had already been informed by the staff that as the captain, he would receive the victory flag, steeped in history, from Asahina Toyohiko, president of the Daily News.

Standing at the forefront of the lineup, Lin Guanglai only felt his heart pounding — even during the top of the ninth inning with two outs and a full count in the game, he wasn't this nervous.

The scene he had fantasized in his dreams countless times was now happening in real life, this was a dream come true!

Removing his hat from his head and handing it to Kenshu Yasuda beside him, Lin Guanglai looked serious, then stepped out from the ranks, striding towards home plate — meanwhile, continuous applause erupted inside Koshien Stadium, including from supporters of Tokai University Sagami High School, who also applauded him.

Just as Oshima Takakou thought, if last summer Lin Guanglai's sudden appearance merely introduced him to the national audience, then this year's victory experience thoroughly established his status as a Koshien star!

With his handsome appearance and baseball skills rarely matched by peers; most importantly, this is only his second year in high school baseball, and he's not yet fully developed — audiences both in the stands and in front of the TV have reason to expect more from him, anticipating his fast growth to break the dusty historical records one after another.

Reaching the area in front of home plate, Lin Guanglai bowed in greeting to President Asahina of the Daily News, who held the victory flag with a kind and harmonious smile on his face.

"The victory flag is not light, hold onto it firmly, Lin."

"Congratulations to you all!"

"Thank you!"

The moment President Asahina Toyohiko released his hand, Lin Guanglai clearly felt his hands suddenly sink down.

Hanging on the flagpole symbolizing victory is not only the blue-purple victory banner but also 82 ribbons with the names of past 82 Senbatsu champion schools, all displayed on it.

This is the weight of the Senbatsu championship, the heavy texture of history.

Now, another ribbon is added to the victory flag filled with ribbons:

[Victorious at the 83rd Tournament — Waseda Industries]

The broadcast footage showed Wang Zhenzhi in the VIP stands: his elderly face filled with smiles, continuously clapping.

54 years ago, it was he who led Waseda Industries to win Tokyo Region's first Koshien victory — one wonders whether this moment makes him recall the days of his youth?

Carrying the victory flag back to the lineup, Lin Guanglai could no longer control his facial expression, amidst the collective gaze of his teammates, he returned to the far-right end of the lineup.

After him, the team's vice-captain Kenshu Yasuda followed closely, receiving the victory shield symbolizing championship glory from President Oshima Takakou.

After the captain of Tokai University Sagami High School received the runner-up shield, the following was the individual award segment.

The authentic victory flag is just a souvenir, the championship team can only keep it for one year, and must return it next year's Senbatsu; while the golden victory shield is an honor for the school's baseball department, displayed in the honor room for future generations to admire.

Only the victory medals can be kept by the players themselves as physical memories for life.

Wearing the large victory medals, Waseda Jitsugyo's players found it hard to restrain their smiles, with each person uncontrollably fondling their medals up and down; some even bit their medals, leaving shallow tooth marks.

After the closing ceremony, all team members of Waseda Jitsugyo stayed on the field for a group photo, preserving the most beautiful memory of this spring; on the way back to the hotel from the stadium, the carriage was filled with the air of joy, laughter and chatter filling the journey.

For most players of Waseda Jitsugyo, the second-year life has only just begun, and many honors await them to challenge in the days ahead!