Daiya What if
researching the yips out of curiosity (and for writing purposes) with Sawamura's yips arc and did you guys know there are catchers that also got the yips- notably Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Mackey Sasser. Sasser is one of the players known to have never recovered, "Beginning in 1989, every Sasser throw back to the pitcher became an adventure. The hang-up was obvious; Sasser would receive a pitch and then seemingly stutter with his arm, pump-faking several times before he was able to release the ball back to the mound." (Source: www.mlb.com/news/players-who-had-the-yips ) Apparently he was moved to other fielding positions but he never really was great at fielding ever again. I think it's interesting how players besides pitchers can suffer from these mental blocks too.
And listen. Can you imagine if Miyuki Kazuya developed a problem like this. Just a thought. It'd be so fascinating if Miyuki either A) got the yips instead of Sawamura, or B) developed it later as psychological thing after his injury, even though his injury doesn't have anything to do with his ability to throw. I think his character would have to adjust in a really fascinating way- deal with the frustration and mental battles of his body being capable but his mind messing with him, like many pitchers deal with regularly (yips or not). Going off of version B, with Sawamura becoming so capable during his second year and Miyuki's third- if Miyuki is suddenly struggling in his third year it'd really change their relationship dynamic. Miyuki really would have to rely on the new ace in a whole other way.
