Ace of Diamond Vol. 44

This is volume 44 of the Ace of Diamond tankōbon, continuing the progress of the autumn tournament final. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Seidou High School, which had been keeping the score close, is caught by its opponent and the situation suddenly becomes tense. The coaching staff decides to make a substitution, bringing in first-year Sawamura Eijun to take the mound in place of starting pitcher Kawakami and entrusting the direction of the game to this left-hander. At the same time, the opposing team's first-year slugger Raichi is waiting for him, and the head-to-head confrontation between the two first-years becomes the key to controlling the game. How Sawamura responds on the mound to an opponent who once left him with a deep trauma, using the pitching and courage he has accumulated along the way, is the focus of this volume. Beyond the tense duel, the work continues its ensemble depiction of the Seidou baseball team: the catcher-pitcher communication on pitch selection, teammates' support in fielding and batting, and the expectations and pressure from the stands and the sidelines. Author Terajima Yūji uses detailed paneling and game details to recreate the rhythm of a high school baseball game, weaving technique, psychology, and youthful spirit together to form the main content of this volume.