Shigenori Nishio is the coach of the Meisei High School baseball team. During the Uesugi brothers' senior year, a serious illness hospitalizes Nishio for the entire academic year. His absence forces the appointment of an interim coach to lead the team. Nishio selects Eijiro Kashiwaba for this role, introducing him to the players as a kind, gentle man with a deep love for baseball. The team members, however, soon observe that Kashiwaba's actual coaching style and behavior starkly contrast Nishio's description, leading to their disappointment and frustration. Nishio eventually recovers and resumes coaching at Meisei High after being hospitalized for nearly a full baseball season.