During the epidemic, people wore masks to live, and their exposed eyes became windows to observe other people's moods.

Hearing that all 12 football teams were interested in him, Zhang Zhe couldn't help but feel a little complacent, and his airy look was captured by Makiko Kawamoto.

Zhang Zhe straightened his expression and continued to listen carefully.

What Makiko Kawamoto means is that interest is only the subjective intention of the team, and whether he will be officially named in the draft meeting is the objective fact that needs to be confirmed.

"Xiao Zhe, you should know the importance of being named first, right?"

"I have understood it."

The rules of the Nippon Professional Baseball Draft are that starting from the second round, names will be named in order of the current season's team rankings.

The first round is special and has nothing to do with the league ranking. Each team nominates at the same time. If there are multiple nominations, it will be decided by drawing lots. The teams that are not drawn will continue to nominate until all 12 teams have confirmed the first-named player.

In other words, the first round of nominations not only tests the vision of each team, but also tests the luck of each team. It is one of the most important aspects of the draft meeting.

Makiko Kawamoto revealed all the implicit or explicit information she got from various scouts.

"At least two teams have said they plan to select you, Xiaozhe, as their first choice."

"Oh?" Zhang Zhe asked, "Which two?"

"SoftBank Eagle and Hanshin Tiger."

Because he occasionally pays attention to professional baseball games in his spare time, Zhang Zhe has some knowledge of Japanese professional baseball teams.

The SoftBank Eagles belong to the Pacific League, and the Hanshin Tigers belong to the Central League. One thing the two teams have in common is that the main catcher is around 30 years old, so the plan to reserve potential catchers for the next generation has been put on the agenda.

Generally speaking, the development period of a catcher is relatively long, and a catcher who can play well and defend is hard to come by.

There are fewer young players practicing at the catcher position than at the pitcher and fielder positions, and there are even fewer good prospects emerging among them, and it is also difficult to practice them after entering professional baseball.

This has led to professional teams being wary of naming young catchers.

Over the years, even for top-talented catchers, only three or four teams have been named first at the same time.

Zhang Zhe thinks it is acceptable for the two teams to compete against him.

At that time, it will depend on which company is lucky enough to win the contract.

Seeing that Zhang Zhe had made up his mind, Makiko Kawamoto said: "Since you have decided, Xiaozhe, then in a few days you will formally submit your professional baseball application to the county's Takano company."

"Okay, thank you, minister and supervisor."

In fact, Zhang Zhe can submit his application anytime.

However, I heard from Minister Makiko Kawamoto that many media wanted to interview him after submitting the form, and he was specifically asked to notify him in advance so that reporters could prepare for interviews.

Go out to the department room.

Inside the pergola, Kazuya Nishino was sitting on the bench, holding his mobile phone in both hands and playing games boredly.

"Azhe, we finally came out. We had a long chat. How's it going? Are you sure?"

"Okay, what about you, do you want to come together?"

"I won't," Nishino Kazuya waved his hand, "I'm not ready yet, let's go to college first."

Although there are teams interested in Nishino Kazuya, Nishino Kazuya considers himself not a self-disciplined person and cannot endure the hardships of professional baseball training.

More importantly, Nishino Kazuya hasn't had enough fun yet.

Professional baseball, with the word "professional" in front, is a career and a means of making a living. It is a social person that is different from students.

Nishino Kazuya felt that he was still a child, how could he enter the society and become a laborer so quickly.

I have to chase my little idol for a few more years, Nishino Kazuya thought.

"If it's Nippon Professional Baseball, then I can go to your games more often. Don't forget to give me some hospitality coupons then."

"It's too early to say this now."

"We'll talk about it after the draft."

"It's still too early."

"When is it not early?"

"I have not decided yet."

Perhaps it was the feeling that they were about to part ways with their companions that caused the two of them to chat about the future until the sun set and each returned home.

…

September 2, 2020.

Zhang Zhe, who was wearing a formal school uniform, watched Minister Makiko Kawamoto busy arranging the background for the live broadcast.

"Minister, let me help you."

"Xiao Zhe, don't move. I can do it by myself. When you have time, think about how to answer reporters' questions during the live broadcast."

Crowd gatherings should be avoided during the epidemic. Hakusan Town has a relatively large elderly population and is under great pressure to prevent the epidemic, so today I will be interviewed in the form of a live webcast.

The preparations were completed before the scheduled time, and reporters from various companies entered the video conference one after another.

Across the Internet and cameras, in full view of everyone, Zhang Zhe sat upright, filled out his professional baseball application form, signed his name and stamped his personal seal.

Some reporters have quick eyes and quick hands and directly take screenshots and publish them with text.

"Quick report! Contestant Zhang Zhe of Hakusan High School confirms submission of form!!"

One stone stirs up a thousand waves!

Previously, there were rumors that three American professional baseball teams had offered Zhang Zhe a minor league contract. In addition, Zhang Zhe had not yet submitted his application for the Japanese Professional Baseball League. Fans were also worried that Zhang Zhe would go to the United States to develop his career.

There are rumors that Zhang Zhe has signed with Major League Baseball and is heading to the United States.

Unexpectedly, a surprise came suddenly.

The generation’s leading slugging catcher confirmed to participate in the Nippon Professional Baseball draft!!

It seemed as if a bombshell had suddenly been dropped before the 2020 Nippon Professional Baseball Draft, which was originally in turmoil and even the industry was crying.

Totally exploded!

Reporters from the industry media were suddenly moved to the point of tears. They applied to enter the video conference room through their connections in the industry, even if they were in the auditorium where they could not ask questions.

As soon as they entered the live broadcast room, the reporters' eyes lit up and they couldn't help but praise him.

So handsome!

Since retiring from the baseball club, there are no longer so many rules and regulations. Zhang Zhe's hair is a little longer than when he was in the club, and his already extremely good looks are fully displayed.

A formal suit makes you look more heroic.

Reporters immediately felt that even considering the commercial value, Zhang Zhe was worthy of the team’s full effort to sign him.

Questions begin.

"Which player in Nippon Professional Baseball do you admire more?"

The reason why the reporter asked a seemingly unrelated question was because he wanted to test Zhang Zhe's personal tendencies. From the players he admired, he could infer the team Zhang Zhe wanted to join.

Zhang Zhe heard the reporter's implication, but he did not intend to make it up at will, but told the truth.

"The players I admire more are Yanagida Yuki and Kai Takuya from Fukuoka Softbank Hawks."

This answer made the reporter who is friendly with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks look happy.

It can be seen that among the teams that Zhang Zhe wants to go to, the first one should be the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

This was good news, and the reporter quickly reported the good news to his familiar scout friends.

Then someone asked another question.

"As far as I know, all 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams have received recommendations for you from the scouting department. If multiple teams name you first, how will they treat the lottery results."

This question hits home the key.

Nippon Professional Baseball abolished the reverse nomination system in the early years, which weakened the player's right to make independent choices. However, there are still some talented players who are proud and refuse to be dissatisfied with the lottery results, preferring to wait for a re-draft the next year.

If Zhang Zhe is dissatisfied with the lottery results and then turns around and signs a contract with Major League Baseball, then the Japanese Major League Baseball will be laughed at.

Zhang Zhe also knows a little bit about the pros and cons.

Frankly speaking, Major League Baseball's minor league had indeed considered inviting Zhang Zhe, but after careful consideration, he chose Nippon Professional Baseball, which valued him more.

After all, my achievements are mainly in Japanese high school baseball, and the Major League Baseball does not really recognize these achievements. When I gave the invitation, I may have considered exploring the market more.

Zhang Zhe answered the question he had thought of before facing the camera.
Chapter completed!