Shigenori Nishio coaches the Meisei High School baseball team. During the Uesugi twins' senior year, he falls seriously ill, requiring hospitalization for the entire academic year. Before leaving, Nishio appoints Eijiro Kashiwaba as interim coach, characterizing him as a kind, gentle man with a deep love for baseball. The players, however, discover Kashiwaba's actual demeanor and coaching methods starkly contradict this description, leading to disappointment. Nishio eventually returns to the team after nearly a full season's absence, reclaiming his position as coach.