From: bliss@sfo.com   
      
   	I picked up this 3 volume in one 5" x 7.5" x 15/8" from Kinokiniya's   
   Manga Shop in Nihon Machi, San Francisco for $19.99+tax   
   on Tuesday.  The pages are large enough that the graphics and   
   text come through clearly.   
   	I have read a lot of Adachi scanalated manga and felt   
   that since I had enjoyed so much I should get this in the paper   
   just for the enjoyment I had from his other work.   
      
   	It is definitely worth the price.   
   	The protagonist start in the 5th grade on their path   
   to Koshin.  The death that motivates them in various ways is   
   of a classmate, a popular girl.   
   	Her younger sister is inspired to become a girl who   
   pitches better than most boys and the hero is inspired by her   
   prowess.  Oh and there is a Spots store, a coffee shop and   
   a batting practice center.   
   	Then after mourning we end up in the ninth grade   
   and the low status Portable team.  A mean coach who has   
   winning ways but who uses up the young athletes put in   
   his care.   
      
   	This is from Viz Media, published in Japan in   
   Shonen Sunday.  Author is Mitsuru Adachi, whose previous   
   Touch starts with HS student with flashbacks.  This book   
   too features flashbacks to earlier times before Wataba   
   died in a heroic attempt.   
      
   	later   
   	bliss   
      
   	   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)