Goro tries out for the Memphis Bats after being released by the Cougars. He runs into a Japanese girl at the airport, and his luggage is stolen again.

Goro racks up 19 saves as the Bats rise to the top of their division. The team gets a new player, and the coach demotes Sanders to the bench.

In the championship-deciding game, Goro gets a chance at bat with a runner on base. To his disappointment, he is told to make a sacrificial bunt.

After Kyoshirou roughs up Goro he decides he needs to start using some breaking balls is he is to be successful in the Majors. Shigeno is against it, but Goro decides to seek help from the top Japanese forkball pitcher- Suguro, especially after Itao once again proves that Major League Players would be able to hit his fastball. With the guidance of Suguro he begins to develop the Gyro Forkball. He also learns how a pitching coach is more useful at learning a players weaknesses than he originally thought, a weakness he hopes to expose on the Young Japan team, for after challenging Itao Goro is sent to join the Young Japan team so the coach can see which of the Japanese main players will be useful in the World Baseball Classic by the recommendation of Kyoshirou.

Tendo is demoted from being the closer for Japan and is replaced by Goro. Tendo is upset that he has been replaced, but both Goro and the Japanese manager realize Tendo has an arm injury that hasn't healed and can place him in danger. Still, the manager is determined to show his trust in Tendo and places him into the game against Korea as the set-up man. Will Tendo willingly end the game on his own and acknowledge his injury, or will Tendo's pride knock Team Japan into an elimination game against the Dominican Republic?

With Gibson's arrival the US gets a second wind. They cut Japan's lead down to 5-4 and force Goro into the game in the eighth inning. Goro walks the first batter and then gets two quick outs, but Gibson Junior hits a 100 mph fastball into the stands and forces Japan to have to rally in the ninth if they are to send the game into extra innings and have a chance to win it all.

After removing himself from the previous game Goro uses the excuse that he had back problems. During his next start Goro seems to be fine during the first 4 innings, but during the fifth he gives up a hit an then loses control of his pitches. Both Keene and Watts suspect Goro has developed the yips, a psychological condition that causes an athletes body to freeze up during times of pressure, but Keene refuses to let Goro leave the mound unless the game gets tied in the hopes that Goro can overcome the yips without being demoted to the minors.

After doing well in the Minors Goro is recalled to the Hornets, but before going he stops by Dr. Oliver's to ask if he's really cured. While there he reveals he is just playing baseball because he loves the game, but Dr. Oliver asks him if that's any different than playing backyard baseball. He says without a goal none of the players he knows have ever succeeded, and unless Goro finds a goal to replace Gibson he will never be able to succeed in the Majors. Meanwhile Gibson Jr. is having problems of his own for the Raiders. He's batting less than .300 and only has 3 home runs. Can these two rivals overcome there problems and prove they have what it takes to be Pros?

Shimizu is glad to see Goro has returned to his oldself and is determined to save up money again to go and root for him in America. However she seems to be losing love for softball at the same time and contemplates quitting it all together. Can Taiga help her remember why she loves the game with the help from a few other friends?

The game against the Panthers continues. Goro's inspired pitching amid the team's uneven play finally triggers a change of attitude in Murdoch.

The team has self destructed. Instead of playing as a team they keep blaming everyone else for mistakes made. Keene is unsure of how he can lead the team, and many of them are no longer listening to Watts. Goro is determined to turn it around, but with a five game losing streak already upon them everyone wonders if it's too late for the Hornets to work as a team and make that push for the playoffs happen.

The presuure is on. The Coyotes and the Hornets are tied for the divisional lead going into the final game of the regular season. Only the winner will make the playoffs. All the Hornets fans are hoping for their first divisional title in 25 years, but the pressure is getting to the Hornets players in the forms of multiple hits. Now Goro and Watts must put aside their injuries and risk their careers to help the Hornets win, but will the Hornets be able to do so?