Woodworking Bunt [Weekly Short Short Note]

This is a continuation of 'Paid Home Run'.

The semifinal of the Invitational High School Baseball Tournament became a showdown between the championship favorite, Getsuryo High School, and the only public school in the final four, Kanayama Agricultural and Forestry High School.

Commonly known as 'Kanarin,' they had not hit a single home run in the tournament, and their steady playstyle involved bunting whenever they got on base to steadily rack up runs.

Since they almost never hit for extra bases, they were mocked as 'Woodworking Bunt,' implying they were using wooden bats.

They reached the semifinals thanks to their ace pitcher and hitter, Yoshikawa. Trailing by one run in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and no outs, Yoshikawa stepped up to the plate.

Pitcher Mori throws the third pitch. Oh! Yoshikawa bunts, it's a squeeze play! The runner on third is off to a start. Mori can't throw home. He throws to first, out! Oh! The runner on second rounds third and heads for home! A panicked throw back home, it's a close play! What's the call? Safe! Safe! A two-run squeeze! A two-run squeeze! A come-from-behind walk-off two-run squeeze! What an ending! The team advancing to the finals is Kanayama Agricultural and Forestry High School!

(410 characters)

The original source is here (I chose the video from Nikkan Sports' official channel). I just wanted to provide play-by-play commentary for this two-run squeeze. I can't help but cry every time I remember it.

I am participating in Kasan Tahara's project. Thank you every week.

#WeeklyShortShortNote
#ShortStory
#WoodworkingBunt