This is pretty decent...If only more were out I could make a better judgement. Things have been realistic aside from the bail for coaching part...but some people are willing to go that far...can't wait for more releases..

I've read a lot of baseball manga, and this one is definitely among the best. What I really like is that it doesn't focus on any one single player on the team (usually, it's the pitcher), to the exclusion/neglect of all the others. In fact. the main character is actually the coach, who uses smart training methods to powerup his team of average, happy-go-lucky players. The training sequence has got to be one of the most enjoyable thing about this manga. And I'm a bit stunned to find myself enjoying this even though there were hardly any actual matches in the 5 volumes or so that have been scanlated. Somehow, despite the lack of flashy moves and larger-than-life characters, the feeling of anticipation and excitement persists throughout the manga. That's how awesome this manga is....and how well-written. I highly recommend this! Read it! read it! read it! Then go over to the scanlators and demand moaaaaaar.

... Last updated on November 13th, 2010, 5:58pm

This manga is a baseball manga. It's got the burning pitcher protagonist, and the observational catcher and all the other players you typically expect.

But at the same time it shifts the focus away from them onto the coach who is an actually fleshed out character who is focused on winning even if it comes down to using cheap tricks. Usually it seems like the heroes of these mangas are dumb but good and just charge forward blindly with hard work and determination, not that that isn't fun, but this is an awesome way to change it up.

Also it doesn't need any Adachi-esque romantic subplots.

In my opinion thus far, I would have to say that this series depicts the "high school" mindset and level of experience of the players more closely than most other baseball manga/anime I have read. The clean up hitter doesn't hit a home run every at bat, and the ace pitcher doesn't strike out every batter he faces as if it were natural. In short, the reader does not know what to expect in each game; a loss (at least pre-tournament) is just as likely as a win.

It is interesting to watch the team grow in an environment where the "heroes" (including the coach) are not guaranteed to overpower and dominate the opposition in every chapter.

We have hundreds of manga about sports, but like 3 that let you see from the point of view of the coach.

Hatogaya is a very manipulative coach, but he really cares about his players.
The shaping up of the team from losers to winners is a very satisfying read. And we get to read the thoughts about the trainer making them do BS training for once.

What can i say, all about this manga is a Smart con Artist with great knowledge of baseball game. His great tactics, strategy against a The stay-at-home mothers, The alumni group, and The high-school baseball players, and Off course his knowledge to handle other team. Some say its Falling flat, that's because he never be in strategic and tactical business like Marketing, Sport, etc. This is a fantastic manga that i was looking for. Great Job KAMIO Ryuu for making this kind of manga.

This is an amazing, hilarious manga. Like other commenters have said, it is average in all ways save for the outlook, who is the coach/protagonist, an ex-door-to-door salesman. He's smart; he's sly; he knows exactly how to play his crowd and has both the skills and the brains to back it up. Watching him make a great team out of almost nothing is what turns an average baseball situation into an awesome one.

This is without doubt the greatest baseball manga i've ever read, even including adachi mitsuru's works.Very interesting in its emphasis on baseball tactics and mindgames and telling the story from the coach's point of view.

If more chapters were out a better idea of this manga could be established, but so far it seems like a bit of GTO + Touch, but without a lot of character development or romantic subplots that would make this a complete manga. Hopefully more of that will be seen in the future.

Frankly, I have a definite weakness when it comes to baseball manga. Ever since Major I just can't help it! Honestly, without the baseball aspect I would've stopped reading this eons ago. As someone else said, the main character is the only one who actually has any brains, so it's not quite as good as it could be. Still, the baseball aspect is super interesting, and so far hasn't gotten too ridiculous (gyro ball, anyone?).

Seriously, it can't touch Oofuri. The only thing I'll give this is that the update rate is a little better and it doesn't get caught on one game like Oofuri does. But if you want smart baseball, you go with Abe. Every time. Tajima for f***ing awesome baseball. etc.