Ace of the Diamond

Game set. Eijun Sawamura, the pitcher of a novice junior high baseball team, meets with a bitter walk-off loss. For Sawamura, that became his last game in junior high, so he sets a new goal of going to the nationals in high school with his teammates. As he begins his hard quest on studying, a guest arrives unannounced. Her name is Rei Takashima, and she is the assistant director of the prestigious Seidou High School Baseball Team. Takashima invites Sawamura to Seidou after seeing his potential, but Sawamura's reply was far from what she had expected. Source: crunchyroll

Sawamura gets himself into a baseball match against the 12th grade batter, Kiyokuni Azuma. Sawamura forms a battery with Kazuya Miyuki, the catcher carrying high hopes for Seidou. Sawamura loses confidence against Azuma, an opponent he's never faced, but Miyuki's lead slowly pulls out Sawamura's full potential. And then he throws his last pitch. After returning from Tokyo, Sawamaura is lost about his future, unable to forget his pitching with Miyuki. He wants to test his strength in Tokyo, but he can't betray his junior high teammates and leave them behind. Bewildered, his teammates approach him. Source: crunchyroll

Sawamura is nervous being roomed with his older baseball teammates. However, their unexpectedly warm welcome makes him feel right at home. Next day, he feels too much at home, and ends up sleeping in for his first practice! There, he reunites with Miyuki who also overslept. Unfortunately, Miyuki's advice on resolving the situation only makes it worse. The head coach himself tells Sawamura that using him as a player is out of the question. However, recalling the messages from his teammates back home, he declares to the coach, "I came here to become the ace of this team!" So the head coach gives him a challenge. Source: crunchyroll

Seidou High School faces off against Ichidai Third High School, the school that beat them last year. While their top-level offense rakes in runs, the ace Tanba isn't doing too hot. The game turns into a batting game. On the other hand, Sawamura is back at school, training by himself. During his training, Furuya, another first-year pitcher approaches him. Showing sympathy to Sawamura's peculiar training method, Furuya offers to play catch with him. Sawamura is in a cheery mood with Furuya's kindness, but the speed of Furuya's throws far exceeds his expectations. Source: crunchyroll

A game between the first-years and the second and third-years is being held. While Sawamura worries about whether or not he can play, he chances upon the Head Coach in the bath. "I don't want to see anyone but me standing on the mound." The Head Coach gives Sawamura one more chance in response to his statement. On the day of the game, the second and third-years are playing with everything they have. The first-year team looks pale, but Sawamura is pumped for his first game. Sawamura seems to be full of energy, but perhaps it isn't being put to good use... Source: crunchyroll

The scrim continues. Sawamura has finally based. It was thanks to the advice from Haruichi Kominato. As he steps into the batter's box, he declares to score a run. His batting turns out to be amazing. To answer the call, Sawamura sprints and makes it back to the plate. The first-year team gains momentum, but the Head Coach is ending the game mid way. However, he will let the game continue if the entire first-year team wants to keep playing. How will they respond? Source: crunchyroll

Sawamura and Furuya are called to the bench. They are to incorporate the pitchers' training menu into their practice. Sawamura is excited by this addition, but unfortunately, Miyuki is partnered up with Furuya. While Sawamura is showing discontent that he isn't Miyuki's partner, a suspicious looking man there stands with a cold look. He is the other catcher, Chris. "Nice to meet you, poor pitcher," mutters Chris with a gloomy voice. Sawamura senses something eerie. Source: crunchyroll

"You won't ever be the ace." Sawamura receives a grim statement from Chris after seeing Furuya's performance in a game. Chris leaves Sawamura with a difficult training menu and leaves before anyone else. All Sawamura sees in him is a man who has given up. However, the moment he makes that comment out loud, Miyuki loses his cool. What ticked him off? What is Chris hiding? Source: crunchyroll

After learning the truth about Chris, Sawamura follows him around to get him to teach Sawamura baseball. Chris finally gives in to Sawamura's persistence and decides catch his pitches. The pitch Sawamura decides to throw is the fastest pitch he can. But in response, Chris asks, "What is your specialty?" Sawamura can't throw breaking balls or amazing fastballs. What kind of pitch should he throw? He asks around his teammates for help, and he arrives at an answer. Source: crunchyroll

Chris tells Sawamura to improve on his specialty. While Sawamura started this relationship being an arrogant prick, Chris has been a catcher to him from the start; the training menu Chris gave him was a menu specifically for him. Sawamura puts in the effort to improve because he wants Chris to see his growth before Chris graduates from the team. At the first-string try-out game, Sawamura asks Chris for a favor. What will Chris say? Source: crunchyroll

What Sawamura throws from the mound is an amazing moving fastball. However, his control's going haywire. When it looks like he might be getting replaced, the man who comes in is Chris. What is the "plan" that Chris takes when it appears all is lost? Source: crunchyroll

Chris's father Animal comes to watch the game. He tries to stop his son from pushing himself to play. However, watching Chris make dangerous plays sends him back to the days he was a pro, and... Source: crunchyroll

Sawamura's opponent batter Zaizen makes an unexpected play. However, Sawamura fixes his pitching and avoids the worst. Being on a roll, Sawamura throws his final pitch. What of the ball that Sawamura throws with everything he wants to tell Chris? Source: crunchyroll

Sawamura keeps training hard. However, it was obvious to everyone that he was overworking himself. Chris calls Sawamura over to give him a warning—the best thing Chris could do out of concern for Sawamura's body. As the training camp of hell begins, Sawamura... Source: crunchyroll

The training camp continues. The first-years can barely keep up with the harsh training. As Sawamura improves little by little, he is called to Miyuki's room for some reason. There, he found his upperclassmen waiting, and... Source: crunchyroll

With fatigue from the camp, no one is playing well in the practice game against Osaka Kiryu. Even Furuya gives up 11 runs in just four innings. And finally, he calls for a time out. When everyone assumes he's raising the white flag, he makes a statement expressing his fortitude. Source: crunchyroll

Seido and Kiryu begin playing neck and neck, and then Sawamura is called to the mound with Miyuki as his batterymate. "Let's have fun," says Miyuki, but Sawamura doesn't know what this game means for him. Source: crunchyroll

"At least pitch to the inside." Miyuki tries to motivate Sawamura, who goes out with just his moving fastball and little experience. But Sawamura is unable to throw well. So Miyuki gives Sawamura another word of advice. This time to believe the fielders and throw with spirit. Is Miyuki trying to encourage him or put pressure on him? But it reminds Sawamura why he came to Seido. And the pitch he throws next... Source: crunchyroll

Seido, Inashiro Vocational, and Shuhoku are having a three-way round-robin. Game two of the round-robin is Inashiro vs Shuhoku, and the ace of Inashiro, Mei Narumiya, is pitching this game. He's the one who shut out Seido's batters at the last summer tournament semi-final. To make matters worse, Narumiya shows off a new weapon he didn't have last year. The pitch lights a fire under Seido's ace, Tanba. He too has a new weapon he's been working on. Source: crunchyroll

Miyuki and Tanba's opinions clash mid-game. However, Tanba claims that what he wants to do is necessary for him to become a true ace. As Tanba gets closer and closer to becoming a true ace, something terrible happens. Source: crunchyroll

Many rivals gather at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Qualifiers, and only two schools can make national. Seido's summer to bring glory back to their name begins with a game against Maimon West High School. Seido's starting pitcher is... Source: crunchyroll

Maimon West High School's starting pitcher isn't who Seido were expecting. The Seido team struggle against a player with no data and finish their first attack without scoring. However, Furuya isn't doing any less as the starting pitcher. Source: crunchyroll

With the first game done, each player focuses on cleaning up his techniques. Chris teaches Sawamura how to hold the ball for a four-seam fastball. It should be a powerful weapon for Sawamura down the line. Source: crunchyroll

The opponent in the fourth round is Akikawa Academy. Their pitcher, Shunshin Yeung, has been called "clockwork" due to his impeccable pitch control. "This won't be like the previous games." The Seido team shift their gears. Source: crunchyroll

Furuya starts in the Akikawa game, and he hammers them with his fastballs. However, it was Akikawa's plan to tire him out by increasing his pitch count from his lack of control. Miyuki realizes their plan and makes a comeback move. Source: crunchyroll

Top of the first, Shunshin Yeung stands in the batter's box. His overflowing determination forces Furuya to throw a meatball and takes a long hit into the left, giving Akikawa the first two runs of the game. Akikawa takes up the reins of the game, and... Source: crunchyroll

Furuya grows weak under the hot weather, but Akikawa makes the move to exhaust him even more using bunts. In order to avoid telling the world about Furuya's weakness before the Ichidai game, Coach Kataoka decides to use Sawamura. What does the coach see in him? Source: crunchyroll

An unexpected guest showed up before Sawamura fter he lost his final game in junior high. She was a scout from the prestigious Seido High School. From their life-changing meeting to the summer tournament, his story thus far is told once more. Source: crunchyroll

Sawamura finally comes out to play, and he magnificently takes out the Akikawa batters. To reciprocate, the Seido batters commence their counterattack. As Miyuki stands at bat, he thinks, "If I were calling plays for this pitcher..." Will he get it right? Source: crunchyroll

Coach Kataoka uses Haruichi as a pinch hitter. Haruichi answers with a beautiful hit. Sawamura and Kuramochi follow up. Then Ryosuke steps up to the plate. In this huge chance to score, he makes a squeeze play! Source: crunchyroll

Seido stays to watch Ichidai's game to prepare for the upcoming quarterfinal. Ichidai's opponent is Yakushi, a nameless school. Yakushi's clean-ups were completely different from their previous games and were played by first-years. Ichidai scores in the first inning making it look like an easy win, but... Source: crunchyroll

Manaka, the ace of Ichidai, is back in top shape on the mound. However, Raichi, the cleanup of Yakushi hits the ball right into Manaka, which forces him to step down. Even without the ace, Ichidai put up a good fight but are unable to secure a win. Seido are shocked by the outcome of the game. Source: crunchyroll

In preparation for the Yakushi game, Coach Kataoka speaks to the pitchers. Sawamura, Furuya, and Kawakami are told that Tanba won't be pitching, but Tanba is told to be ready to go. The coach wants to play with everyone as a team. The quarter-final begins, and Yakushi's lineup is... Source: crunchyroll

Raichi takes the fight between him and Furuya in the first inning. On that note, Yakushi scores the leading run. However, Miyuki's throw to second and encouragement of, "you have many reliable teammates behind you" takes some pressure off Furuya. On top of that, Furuya... Source: crunchyroll

Furuya wants to keep pitching, but Coach Kataoka switches him out. Sawamura is up next and he faces off against Raichi. Raichi gets excited about Sawamura's moving fastball seeing how much potential it has. What's the outcome of this fight? Source: crunchyroll

Yakushi finally brings out their ace, Sanada. Miyuki falls prey to Sanada's cutter. Sawamura pitches aggressively to match Sanada's pitching, but Yakushi aren't going to sit by and watch. Source: crunchyroll

Sawamura and Raichi face off for the second time. Sawamura is fired up with Coach Kataoka's encouraging words. However, the hit he thought he jammed turns into a homerun and devastates Sawamura. Then, he gets switched out. Source: crunchyroll

In the top of the eighth, Kawakami relieves Sawamura from the mound and faces Raichi. Kawakami and Miyuki choose to walk him. At a glance, Seido apear to be cornered, but Kawakami regains his confidence from giving Raichi the walk. Source: crunchyroll

It's the top of the eighth with two outs and runners on first and third, and Tanba takes the mound. Following the efforts of Furuya, Sawamura, and Kawakami, Tanba takes the ball. His first batter is Sanada, the ace of Yakushi. Coach Todoroki's orders are to hit Tanba's first pitch and shut him down. Source: crunchyroll

The top of the ninth is Yakushi's last chance to score. Raichi comes up to bat at two outs and a runner on first. Yakushi's dugout is cheering loudly for Raichi. "I don't want to let my team down." Raichi makes his resolve. Tanba's third pitch goes in a little soft and Seido lose all their hope. Source: crunchyroll

For the semifinal, Seido High School go up against Sensen Academy's Maki, the giant. As the veteran of the match up, Coach Ukai tells the reporters that Seido's weakness is Coach Kataoka's lack of experience. At Seido High School, Sawamura is still blue from being taken off the mound in the Yakushi game. Source: crunchyroll

Under Coach Ukai's definitive command, Maki throws his huge curveballs. Tanba begins to show signs of fatigue. Will Sawamura be called to the mound? Eijun's junior high friends came all the way out to cheer. Some members of Inashiro are also watching from the stands. Source: crunchyroll

Haruichi comes onto the field as a pinch hitter for Tanba. Maki pitches emotionally against Haruichi. After two strikes, Haruichi gently meets Maki's curveball and hits it to the outfield. At the bottom of the sixth, Sawamura walks on. Source: crunchyroll

Maki hits powerful fouls off Sawamura. As Maki stands with intensity in the batter's box, Coach Ukai tells him to smash the wall of the top three schools with his bat. Sawamura throws a crossfire pitch under Wakana's and his fellow teammates' watch. Source: crunchyroll

After defeating Sensen Academy, Sawamura enjoys his time with his junior high friends. The second game of the semifinals is between the tournament favorite, Inashiro Vocational High, and a dark horse, Sakurazawa High. Coach Kikukawa exclaims, "It's time to make history!" And the game sets off to an unexpected start. Source: crunchyroll

As Nagao takes on Inashiro with his knuckle ball, Sakurazawa wait for their chance to score. However, Sakurazawa slowly lose their cool experiencing Narumiya's untouchable fastball. Their calm defense evaporates and errors inevitably follow. Unfortunately, Inashiro's next batter is their cleanup, Harada. Source: crunchyroll

After the game, Narumiya bumps into Miyuki. "Remember the last time all of us got together?" Carlos asks, as everyone Narumiya invited to Inashiro was present. That is of course, Miyuki included. Source: crunchyroll

As Seido finish reviewing Narumiya's pitching, Yuki talks about the confidence he has toward the final. His words were backed by the hard work everyone has put in. At Inashiro, they are also carefully preparing for the Seido game. Source: crunchyroll

The day before the final, Sawamura says he wants to learn a breaking ball to overcome his weakness. Azuma, an alumnus of the team stops by with great timing to show his support. Sawamura begins to practice the cutter with Azuma in the batter's box. Source: crunchyroll

The current third-years were called "the hopeless year" when they joined. Their upperclassmen had lost all hope for them, but they diligently practiced, continuously encouraging each other. Their hard work changed their rivalry for each other into trust. Source: crunchyroll

Sakai is shocked from being taken off the starting roster for the final, and Coach Kataoka gives him some words of encouragement. Being one victory away from going to nationals, everyone at Seido can't seem to hold down their excitement. Coach Kataoka is no exception, and... Source: crunchyroll

Narumiya strikes out Yuki, and Seido is reminded of Narumiya's strength. Furuya takes the mound in the bottom and starts off with three consecutive strikeouts. Narumiya matches Furuya's performance with three strikeouts as well. It's going to be a pitching game. Source: crunchyroll

After three innings, it's still a close final. Next up is the cleanup, Yuki, and Narumiya changes his gears. Baiting with the changeup, he strikes out Yuki with a fastball, creating momentum for Inashiro. Seido then realizes Narumiya is only going all out for Yuki and the team takes a mental blow. Source: crunchyroll

In the top of the fifth, Furuya gets a hit off Narumiya. It's the perfect chance to tie the game, and Shirasu, batting ninth, hits Narumiya's fastball. Will Shirasu make first base? And in the bottom of the fifth, the ace, Tanba, takes the mound. Source: crunchyroll

When Inashiro has two outs with the bases loaded, Tanba pulls through to get Seido going. However, Narumiya and Harada change their pitching pattern to keep Seido away from the bases. As the innings change and the Seido players walk out to the field, Kuramochi stops Ryosuke. Source: crunchyroll

Seido's loss seems imminent against the mighty Inashiro. To make things worse, Tanba's leg cramps at the bottom of the seventh. Coach Kataoka decides to switch him out and puts Sawamura on the mound. The next batter is Narumiya! Source: crunchyroll

Sawamura strikes out Narumiya with three pitches. Miyuki's bold strategy and Sawamura's strong heart lift the tension in the air. Seido High School is back in their usual offensive attitude. Furuya is up to bat, and Narumiya throws a powerful crossfire pitch! Source: crunchyroll

Seido scores a run. Haruichi stands in the batter's box in place of Ryosuke as a pinch hitter. Seido has high expectations for the lucky kid. On the other hand, Inashiro can't give anything up. Narumiya grows furiuos seeing Haruichi's wooden bat. Can Haruichi connect to the next batter? Source: crunchyroll

It's Yuki versus Narumiya. Yuki hits Narumiya's changeup with his unparalleled concentration, and Seido turns the game around! Tanba finds himself tearing up at Yuki's hit, while Narumiya can't keep his cool. Going into the bottom of the eighth, Sawamura continues to pitch. Source: crunchyroll

At the top of the ninth, Inashiro is behind by a run. "I can't picture us losing," says Narumiya as he reflects on the loss at nationals and the hardships he's overcome. The Inashiro team goes back to fielding, entrusting everything to their perfectionist ace. Source: crunchyroll

The unique experience of pitching in the last inning of a tournament final pressures Sawamura like never before. Carlos stands crouched over the plate, trying to get hit by a pitch. Can Sawamura resist his overwhelming determination to win? Source: crunchyroll

With a runner in a scoring position, Inashiro's cleanup, Harada, stands at bat. Victory is one step away, but the challenge of a lifetime stands in its way. Using the last available time out, the ace goes to the field to relay a message. Can they defend the run and make nationals? The game finally comes to a close. Source: crunchyroll

An unbelievable turn of events happens at the bottom of the ninth. Inashiro's ace, Narumiya, turns the game around with his bat. Seido players fall to their knees. They were one step short of making nationals. Alas, their summer comes to an end. Source: crunchyroll

After losing the final, things are looking grim at Seido. Haruichi has locked himself in his room. "Somewhere in my heart, I was waiting for this day." Maezono tells him how he feels. After Maezono's eye-opening remark, Haruichi rises and grabs a bat. Source: crunchyroll

As the new captain, Miyuki tells the team his will, "I want to be greedy about winning." The second-years who were overshadowed before by the third-years show their potentials for the new team. However, Kawakami is still stuck in the past. Source: crunchyroll

The night before the national final, Narumiya lowers his head to his teammates and surprises everyone. Next day, Narumiya walks on to the Koshien mound, motivating Sawamura to practice harder as he watches it on TV. Later, an unfamiliar man comes to observe Seido's practice. Source: crunchyroll

The new team at Seido isn't meshing well just yet. The result of the practice games has been 8 wins and 4 losses with no explosiveness from the batters. Coach Kataoka accepts the practice game Yakushi requested in hopes of raising the team's morale. Sawamura is fired up, but Miyuki isn't happy with his lack of control. Source: crunchyroll

To everyone's surprise, the game against Yakushi is a pitcher's game. Furuya takes Raichi out going three for three that inning, and the Seido team sees Furuya's growth. In the bullpen, Sawamura feels threatened as Furuya's growth shines on the mound. Source: crunchyroll

Furuya closes six innings without conceding any runs, and the crowd is excited to see the making of a true ace at Seido. Yakushi brings out their ace, Sanada, to the mound, and his presence overwhelms Seido. After seeing them both pitch, Sawamura can't hold himself back. Source: crunchyroll

After conceding three runs without getting any outs, Sawamura is switched out of the game. "If I walk off here, I'll never..." Memories of the summer final resurface. Contrary to Furuya putting on a show on the mound, Sawamura sits in the dugout like a corpse. Source: crunchyroll

Sawamura isn't himself anymore with the yips, but everyone still has faith in him that he'll be back. While the team is worried for him, he continues his running exercises on his own, and slowly but surely, he's regaining his zeal. Source: crunchyroll

Coach Ochiai and Coach Kataoka have conflicting opinions, but the fall tournament is going well for the team. While Sawamura continues to struggle with the yips, Chris shows up like a knight in shining armor. "Practice the low and away." Sawamura's motivation is renewed. Source: crunchyroll

The third years are left speechless hearing about the resignation of the coach. Coach Kataoka puts the current team through the off-season training menu, and Maezono gives words of wisdom to the players who are slacking. Miyuki is impressed with how dependable Maezono has become and wonders why Coach Kataoka seems to be keeping a secret. Source: crunchyroll

The first and second-years find out about Coach Kataoka's resignation, and they are flustered. Isashiki doesn't feel any pressure from their plays, so he gives them a piece of his mind. Source: crunchyroll

Maezono hits a home run at the top of the ninth, evening out the game at 3-3, and at the bottom of the ninth, Sawamura finally gets his chance on the mound. From the third-year team, Chris walks out as a pinch hitter to face Sawamura. Can Sawamura show his mentor the pitching of his life? Source: crunchyroll