Takao Taniguchi, pitcher extraordinaire, helped his middle school's team win the baseball championship. However, tragedy struck when he hurt his index finger, taking him out of the game for good. Now that Takao is in high school, he finds himself wistfully staring at the baseball field each day, unable to get back in the game he loves. However, after joining the soccer team and excelling at the sport, the team's captain, Aiki, urges Takao to return to baseball once more. With fierce opponents at every turn and newfound friends at his side, Takao will help transform his team from average to amazing!
Ren Mihashi is a timid pitcher with problems; he has no self esteem or confidence, due to the relentless bullying of his once teammates, and is reluctant to play baseball again. However, at Ren's new school, Nishiura Prefectural High, he finds himself picking up the mitt once more. Along with the help of alumni-turned-coach Maria Momoe, tough but supportive Yuuto Sakaeguchi, and the rest of his teammates, Ren will regain his confidence and show the game of baseball who's the boss yet again!
It's true that both Ookiku and Play Ball are about baseball; but beyond that similarity, there is one important thing the two have in common: the absolutely godawful character designs. In Ookiku, it's the triangle bird-like mouth face; in Play Ball, it's the mushy melted candle face with stunted bodies that look flat out strange. Neither is pretty to look at, but both are about baseball... so try this rec out?