Joji Hayami emerges as a standout competitor during the Yomiuri Giants' enrollment test, showcasing exceptional athletic prowess. He dominates the 100-meter sprint, leaving rivals trailing in his wake with a decisive time gap. His physical superiority establishes him as a formidable challenger to the protagonist throughout the selection trials.

During the pitching assessment, he confronts the main character, employing polished, textbook mechanics. Yet his conventional approach falters against the protagonist’s unorthodox pitch—a revolutionary technique crafted by the protagonist’s father. Defeat costs him a spot on the primary roster, though he secures alternate status alongside another candidate.