Keiichirou Senda

Senda is cocky, theatrical and convinced that other people should be more impressed by him than they usually are. He boasts about his baseball ability, considers himself popular with girls and frequently turns routine plays into opportunities for dramatic celebration.

His self-image makes him an easy target for his teammates' teasing, especially because his actual pitching cannot support his claims. Sentarou Maeno identifies the mismatch accurately: Senda is too much of a show-off to make an effective pitcher, but precisely that flair can suit shortstop.

He is not merely comic relief on the field. As he matures, Senda becomes a useful regular whose athleticism earns him a legitimate place in Seishuu's strongest lineup. By his third year, watching Aoba's dedication also pushes him to approach practice more seriously.

Senda begins as a pitcher and serves as the ace of Seishuu Middle School, but his high-school appearances expose serious weaknesses on the mound. He struggles when the prefab squad attacks him and is removed from Daimon's varsity after surrendering several hits.

Shortstop proves a much better fit. Almost immediately after Maeno moves him there, Senda turns a ground ball into a double play, displaying the reflexes and athletic movement needed for the position.

He eventually becomes Seishuu's regular shortstop and leadoff hitter. His place at the top of the batting order gives him responsibility for beginning offensive innings before the team's stronger run producers come to bat.

Senda is introduced as a familiar schoolmate of Kou and one of the first players used to contrast Kou's hidden ability with more visible confidence. His successful placement on Daimon's varsity initially gives him considerable reason to boast.

During the first varsity-versus-prefab scrimmage, his pitching collapses and Daimon ejects him from the first-string dugout. Maeno's team happens to need a shortstop, allowing Senda to switch sides and discover a position better suited to him.

After Daimon's program is removed, Senda becomes Seishuu's regular shortstop. He remains part of the starting nine through the team's eventual successful campaign to reach Koshien.

Kou Kitamura is Senda's longtime schoolmate and, according to Senda, his best friend. Kou Kitamura rarely treats that claim with the same seriousness.

Aoba Tsukishima is the principal target of Senda's persistent romantic attention. Aoba Tsukishima does not return his enthusiasm, but her work ethic eventually influences how seriously he approaches baseball.

Sentarou Maeno recognizes that Senda's talents are better suited to shortstop than pitching and gives him the position on the prefab team.

Shuugo Daimon initially selects Senda for the varsity before discarding him when his pitching proves ineffective.

Osamu Akaishi and Daiki Nakanishi are longtime schoolmates who eventually play alongside Senda in Seishuu's regular lineup.