Major

Japan refuses to give up. In the top of the ninth they tie the score and send teh game into extra innings. Not wanting to lose momentum again Gibson takes it upon himself to get warmed up and force his way into the game.

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.

The Championship match begins between the US and Japan. Japan's early hitting gives them a 3-0 lead and forces Sisler out of the game for the US. When Mayumura comes out he is forced to admit his fears of not being a monster player to both Goro and Toshi. However Toshi reminds him the most fearsome player is a picther who knows his own limits and is able to go beyond them. Mayumura turns the cheers for the US into his favorite symphony piece- Dvorak's New World Order, and Japan is able to establish early control in the championship. Seeing the US down 5-0 after the 3rd inning proves to be too much for Gibson. He leaves the hospital and heads for the ballpark to try and motivate his team back to winning it all. After Alex learns Gibson has been risking his life for America's pride he is determined to change the momentum of the game and get a hit off of Mayumura.

Gibson insists on taking the mound when America falls in danger of losing to Venezuela. Aware of his condition, America's coach is hesitant to oblige.

Gibson comes on in the eighth with only one out and the US trailing 2-0. He is disgusted by how the US has played without caring what their fans think of their performance. His speech wakes the minds and attitudes of the other players, and they escape the inning without giving up any other scores. In the top of the ninth Gibson Junior begins the inning with a base hit. America scores 6 runs and wins 6-2. After the game Gibson is told he won't pitch in the finals due to his heart condition. The next day Goro spends time with Shingo. They go and spend the day at the amusement park. Shingo asks Goro if their mom told him he plans to quit baseball. Goro tells him he doesn't mind if Shingo quits baseball, that he just needs to have fun doing whatever he chooses and become a better person. As Goro drops Shingo back off at his room though, he receives the news that Gibson collapsed during practice and has been rushed to the hospital.

After defeating Cuba, Goro gets all psyched about facing America in the Championship, but Junior informs his father he knows of the surgery he needs. He informs the US manager and Goro and begs both of them to not let Gibson pitch at all costs.

The match between Cuba and Japan begins with Cuba bunting, sacrificing the runner to second, stealing third, and then using a squeeze play. They also use a swing that many would consider interference but that has been declared legal because it's within the swing itself that allows the runner to advance. With so many early problems things look bad for Japan. Miho attends the game but stays out of Toshi's site so she won't cause him a relapse during the game. Goro is brought in during the 8th inning and allows two Cubans to get on base, but as soon as he sees Gibson is in the stands he manages to retire everyone in order.

After Miho breaks down to Shimizu and reveals she is actually Toshi's younger sister, both Shimizu and Goro decide to try and keep the two separated from each other. In their efforts to keep the two apart Goro and Toshi go to workout at he park, but it's at the same time Shimizu and Miho are having lunch there. The shock of seeing his sister causes Toshi to have a mental relapse of his parents abandoning him and causes him to start to have a mental breakdown. Another problem presents itself when it's revealed Domoto's leg still hasn't recovered enough to allow him to do more than pinch hit or be the Designated Hitter. Can Toshi pull it together soon enough to allow Japan to defeat Cuba? At the same time Momoko and Shingo arrive in America to root for Japan in the semi-finals and during the championship, but Shingo seems to want to be there only for autographs and for the amusement park.

After gaining an early 1-0 lead Japan has been unable to stop the Dominicans batters the third time through the rotation. Despite getting the first man he faced out Mayumura now finds himself in danger of giving up additional runs and the Dominican leads 4-1. Who will realize the only way to defeat the Dominican is through small ball instead of swinging for the stands first, and what will Japan do when the Dominican's bring out their closer to try and wrap things up and eliminate Japan after Venezuela has won 3-0? Also the identity of the mysterious Japanese girl Shimizu ran into comes one step closer to a shocking revelation.

Venezuela manages to defeat the Dominican Republic putting both them and the Dominican Republic at 1-1. If Japan loses to the Dominican and Korea loses to Venezuela it would put 3 teams at 2-1 and Japan would be eliminated due to both Venezuela and the Dominican having given up fewer runs. Making things worse is the news that Goro receives- he won't be able to pitch in the game against the Dominican due to a rule saying a pitcher can't be used in more than two games consecutively. Can Japan find a way to overcome all these problems with Mayumura as the closer for the third game?

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?

Goro's first face off as a member of the Japanese Representatives is against none other than Silva. Their interaction at the airport was only the beginning as a new rivalry is born from, but in order for Goro to be successful he must first pull Toshi out of the slump he has gotten stuck into and debut his gyrofork in front of a worldwide audience.

Silva upsets Goro with the comment that Asians aren't tough enough to defeat Venezuela. Meanwhile Team Japan prepares to face Montana, but they are surprised when Sanchez is rolled out instead. Japan finds it to be a slight insult that Venezuela is saving their ace for the Dominican Republic, so they decide they will defeat Venezuela at all costs to get the first needed win to move on to the semi-finals. Toshi is placed in the starting line-up as the Designated Hitter, but when the catcher gets injured Japan is forced to do a double switch, meaning if Goro makes it into the game he can beat Venezuela not only with his pitches but also at the bat.

Goro calls Shimizu and lets her know that he has been selected to be on the naitonal team as the episode begins. As the episode continues the news is broadcast on TV in Japan. All of Goro's friends are shocked, but they start saving up funds so they can go to the Championship game and root for Goro and all of Japan. Back in California the World Baseball Cup begins with Team USA and Team Canada starting the action. Joe Gibson is the starting pitcher, and he seems to have problems breathing until Junior lets him know that Japan has selected Goro as a representative player. Gibson goes out strong and gets a complete game. At the end of the episode though Junior gets a call from a doctor about his father that sends him into a panic. As the episode ends Shimizu arrives in California to continue her rooting for Goro. Goro arrives at the airport to pick her uip, but Shimizu has meet up with Team Venezuela, and a conflict seems to be brewing.

Shimizu travels to Florida alone to support Goro as he tries to make the majors. On her way to meet him, however, her rental car breaks down.

Realizing that his forkball breaks too early Goro decides to try and expose the weaknesses the All Japan team has and relys solely on his fastball. At first glance it seems to backfire as the Young Japan team falls even further behind at 9-0. Making things worse is the communication between Goro and Toshi is struggling, but once the two sync back up they show all of Japan how dangerous his fastballs can be. At the end of the episode Goro returns to America to begin spring training with the Hornets.

Young Japan plans the Japansese Representatives to determine which team is more suit to play in the World Baseball Cup. After having a chance and failing to score at the top of the 1st Katori is sent to the mound and later Akutsu follows. Both of them are overpowered by the experience the Japanese Representatives have and see their slider and knuckle ball hit with ease. Katori leaves with the team trailing 4-0, and Akutsu loses all confidence when that score grows to 9-0. Finally Goro is sent out to try and change things around. He reveals his gyro fork, but a fatal flaw is found in it forcing him once again to rely on his gyro fastball.

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.

Goro becomes a batting pitcher for the Japanese Senior team to help further his development against Professional players, but he also hopes that he can gain enough respect on the mound to become a player for the Japanese team in the World Baseball Classic. At home Taiga and Goro work with each other to improve his outside pitching control and his fastball's speed. The problem is he forgets to tell Shimizu about all of it, but her dream of following the baseball player keeps her from getting too upset about it.

After learning about his Father's involvement in the World Baseball Classic, Goro forgot about his date with Shimizu. When she called to see where he was he asks her to go on without him, causing her to believe Taiga's words are coming true. When Goro finally realizes he has hurt Shimizu's feelings he begins to think about everything she has done for him over the years. Even when he tries to think of baseball his thoughts wander back to her. Can Goro mend this broken love before it's too late, or will he lose Shimizu?

Goro returns to Japan after winning the Minor Leagues, and the first place he visits is his Father's grave. Shimizu has heard Goro has returned and decides to visit him to see if she has any feelings for him.

Goro's hand injury causes him to lose control over his pitching. After he unintentionally walks consecutive batters, Gibson Jr. steps up to the plate.

The first game of the finals begins. Driven by their bet, Goro and Gibson Jr. both give it their all. The Bats fall behind in the first inning.

The Bats win their series against the Sharks to advance to the finals, where they will face the Falcons -- and the indomitable Gibson Jr.

After the Bats make the playoffs, six players including Goro and Keene are called up to the majors. Goro has mixed feelings about his promotion.

Alice visits her grandfather in hospital. He seems healthy, but his condition suddenly turns serious after the Bats suffer a humiliating home loss.

Goro and the Bats hit a rough patch, so his teammates invite him on a drive to cheer him up. Shimizu's friends try jump-starting her love life.

The summer high school baseball tournament has begun. Now captain of Seishu High, Taiga is annoyed by the behavior of his team during training.

Sanders replaces Keene in the starting lineup for the first time in a while, but his rusty play results in snapping the Bats' winning streak.

The Bats are winning, but Goro is unsatisfied with Keene's style of play. Alice explains Keene's behavior by talking about an event in his past.

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.

The Bats rise to second in the division. Now playing baseball in college, Komori serves as a substitute coach for a Little League team.

The Bats start the season with the worst record in the division. Moved by Sanders' desire to win a championship, Goro tries motivating his teammates.

Goro is adapting to life in America. Meanwhile in Japan, the Seishu High graduates reflect on their time spent with Goro and take their next steps.

Toshiya's confidence suffers an unexpected blow during the game, but his coach still decides to start him in the exhibition match.

Alice convinces Goro to serve as the Bats' closer. In Japan, the number one draft pick Toshiya Sato draws attention in the Warriors' game.

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.

In his first Triple-A game, Goro throws off the Falcons with his new curve-ball, but it doesn't work for long. He then faces an unexpected opponent.

After realizing how much he needs to improve,Goro gets off to a strong start pitching in his first major league exhibition game.

Goro is given a chance at a roster spot in the majors with the Salmons. He quickly gets into a scuffle during practice with the Salmons' ace pitcher.

Hayato's hit leads to two runs, but Nick's selfish play puts the team's comeback effort in jeopardy. A blister causes Goro to struggle with pitching.

Goro and Hayato both pass the first test at tryouts. For the second test, the rookies must stage a come-from-behind victory against a Single-A team.

Goro's luggage is stolen at the airport in Los Angeles. He then receives help from Hayato, a Japanese citizen also trying out for the major leagues.

Ichihara is flustered after giving up hits to both Taiga and Uchiyama. But his pitching only gets worse when Tashiro steps up to bat.

Goro gives up his first hit during the bottom of a rainy third inning. He quickly makes up for his error by using a trick play to eliminate Kusano.

When Goro underestimates the opposing pitcher Ichihara, Seishu's hopes of taking an early lead are pinned on their only remaining batter, Tashiro.

Tashiro pushes the team hard during training ahead of its match against Kaido. Goro objects when the doctor tells him he can't practice for the game.

The game with Kuriyama High nears its end. Karasawa hits a two-run homer to take the lead and Katori corners Seishu with two outs in the ninth inning.

Scouting the competition, Goro is taken aback by the improvement of their next opponent, Kuriyama High. Later, he runs into Katori before the game.

After pitching a no-hitter in the third game, Goro catches the attention of Yokohama Blue Oceans scout Katsuragi, who proposes the team draft him.

Goro takes the mound in place of Taiga with two outs and the bases loaded. Komori is flustered by Goro's fastball, which looks to be at full strength.

Mifune has no outs and a batter on second base in the bottom of the sixth inning. Thrown by Mifune's unexpected tactics, Seishu falls further behind.

Seishu faces Mifune High in the second round. Taiga loses his focus as Mifune breaks the deadlock to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The doctor tells Goro that his career is in jeopardy if he keeps playing hurt. Goro appears to take his advice but secretly looks for other options.

After a fierce seventh-inning comeback, Seishu trails by just three points. Despite his injury, Goro takes the mound in place of an unmotivated Taiga.

The team is excited to play Yoka High in the first round of the tournament. Looking healthy, Goro throws a perfect fastball in practice.

Goro is dejected when he hears it will take three months to recover from his injury. Kaido High's chief manager Egashira visits him in the hospital.

Seishu plays a practice match against Kaido's reserve team. They struggle with the opposing pitcher and fall behind thanks to some poor fielding.

Under Shigeno's coaching, the team begins training in earnest with the goal of winning a preliminary game by spring. A new guy shows up at practice.

Goro's team begins training. Shigeno shows up as a temporary coach but an intentionally harsh practice session causes most of the team to quit.

Seishu ties the game with Fujii's hit, but Tashiro is still not satisfied. Goro speaks honestly after Yamada asks him why he's taking such a gamble.

Baseball club supervisor Yamada nets a practice match with Teijin High. Goro leads the team with his fast pitching but things take an unexpected turn.

A losing streak has Shigeno in bad spirits. The school chairperson tells Goro that she can't approve of a team until he has teacher supervision.

Goro tries to form a baseball team at Seishu High, but gets a cold response from the other boys. He receives support from a girl named Nakamura.

Goro leaves Kaido High and considers transferring to Mifune High, but he reconsiders after watching Mifune dominate a preliminary match.

Shizuka advises Goro to quit the team based on an incident from her past. When he learns what happened, he takes his appeal straight to the top.

Down by one with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, Kokubu hits a home run to tie the game. With a walk-off win on the line, Mayumura takes the mound.

Toshiya hangs in against Akutsu by fouling off his knuckle balls. Shizuka kicks Akutsu off the team for focusing only on his competitive pride.

Goro takes the mound, the team's expectations on his back, and gets back-to-back K's. As the Dream Island team is battling back, Mayumura shows up.

The first-year scholarship team intentionally spots the Dream Island team a three-run lead. The insult fills Goro's team with renewed determination.

Coach Suo declares Goro will pass the test only if he can retire the opposing lineup in order, but Goro has come further than anyone imagined.

In a final exam to decide who will leave the island to join the second team, Goro is as free-spirited as ever. Onuki, who had quit the team, shows up.

After three months at the training facility, Goro has grown strong. The coaches announce an aptitude test to determine the players' positions.

Goro and Toshiya get into Kaido High and proudly join the baseball club. They go to a school facility on a small island for six months hard training.

Goro and Toshiya pass the skills test and must now take an academic exam. But Goro isn't used to studying, and he ends up being late to the exam.

The skills test ends with a five-on-five tournament. Goro is happy to be on Toshiya's team, but is looked down upon for coming from an obscure school.

Goro, Toshiya and Komori all pass the first two stages of Kaido High's harsh skills test, but Toshiya and Komori are then pitted against each other.

Goro is set on getting into Kaido High's baseball club with Toshiya after their junior high affiliate crushes him. The Mifune East boys hit the beach.

Toshiya takes the mound and freezes Miyamoto with his fastball. After encouragement from Goro, Miyamoto swings the bat, with unexpected results.

Goro and Yamane hit back-to-back home runs, rattling Toshiya. Seeing his teammates band together, Toshiya realizes he'd forgotten the joy of baseball.

Toshiya, Tomonoura's captain, proposes a bet to Goro that raises the stakes for their teams' showdown, but Goro gets goaded into a rash of mistakes.

Mifune East faces Seibukan in round two. Goro has a perfect game going through 4 2/3 innings, enthralling a high school scout in the crowd.

Mifune East falls behind in round one of the tournament because Goro shows up late, but his off-speed pitches gets hitters out in fine fashion.

Goro joins the baseball team. To gear up for the summer tournament, he seeks a game against Tomonoura Junior High, where he meets his old pal Toshiya.

Goro's story inspires the delinquents to get serious about baseball again. Goro goes to see the reborn Mifune East Junior High baseball team play.

The delinquents have left the baseball team, but none of the former members return. Goro's words inspire Komori and Obayashi to recruit new members.

Goro moves back to Mifune. Komori is glad to have the chance to play baseball with him again, only for Goro to reveal he now plays soccer.

Mifune draws Yokohama Little in the quarters, but Komori's injury is worse than they thought. With the team needing a new catcher, Shimizu volunteers.

Sawamura's desperation bunt gets him on base, breaks up Kyuta's perfect game, and rattles the ace. Mifune then closes the gap to one run.

Mifune is on the ropes; Goro suddenly gives up a home run, and they can't hit Kyuta's pitch. To make matters worse, Komori sprains his wrist.

In round two, Mifune faces Totsuka-Nishi Little, led by ace Kyuta Usami. Goro spots Momoko out with Shigeno and is consumed with dread.

The Okamura triplets score a run off Goro with their strategy, and their ironclad defense grinds down Mifune's will, but Shimizu gives them new life.

Before the fall tournament, Mifune practices at the batting cages. There, they run into the Okamura triplets, who play for their first-round opponent.

Ryoko, the girl Goro just met, is a pitcher for Yokohama Little. He invites her to play ping-pong, upsetting Shimizu and keeping her up all night.

Goro, determined to beat Yokohama Little, helps Sawamura practice pitching. When Coach Ando sees them at it, he realizes he'd given up on his dreams.

After Mifune loses a practice game to Kuki Little in part because he can't bring himself to pitch inside, Goro asks Yokohama Little for a game.

The Mifune Dolphins join a training camp during summer break with all the best teams in Japan. Goro runs afoul of another team's heavy hitter.

Gibson, now back in MLB, invites Goro to see him play in San Francisco. Though put off at first, Goro wants to see top-level baseball, so he accepts.

The Mifune Dolphins have been reborn. Urged by Coach Ando, Goro goes to observe the top little league team in Japan and runs into his old pal Toshiya.

Having learned the importance of teamwork, Goro steps up his game and puts down the adult batters, but his own team can't hit the opposing pitcher.

Komori and Sawamura join the Mifune Dolphins, who now have a full team, but they have to play a game to save the team despite having hardly practiced.

Kaoru Shimizu joins the Mifune team, but they're still two players short. Goro then runs into his classmate Komori, who's being forced to shoplift.

Three years after his father's death, Goro joins the Mifune little league team. The coach welcomes him warmly, but the team has no love for the game.

Shigeharu gets beaned by Gibson, but the Blue Oceans go on to win. Goro falls asleep enraptured, but the next day brings anything but joy.

Goro is captivated by Joe Gibson, a major league player now playing in Japan. When Shigeharu homers off of him, Goro is beside himself with delight.

Shigeharu is back on the team as a hitter and, on his best friend and teammate's suggestion, looks to remarry, but he's absent on Goro's birthday.

A little league coach is dazzled by Goro's raw talent and teaches him to throw breaking balls. But Shigeharu, fearing injury, won't let him play.

Goro invites a boy named Toshiya to play catch, reluctant at first, Toshiya comes to love it. Shigeharu vows to make a comeback as a hitter.

Five year old Goro practices baseball every day to be like his dad Shigeharu, a pro ballplayer,until he injures his elbow and decides to retire.