Ookiku Furikabutte/Big Windup!

Big Windup! (aka Ookiku Furikabutte or Oofuri, for short) is a sports manga created by Asa Higuchi.  It revolves around a boy named Ren Mihashi who transfers to a new high school after a bad experience as the ace pitcher of his middle school's baseball team.  Intending to quit baseball, he gets roped into playing by his new school's coach.  Aided by the catcher Takaya Abe and his teammates, Mihashi gradually becomes a better player and more confident person.

 

I've never read the manga but it's won awards, including the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize in 2006.  I have seen the anime version and it has a big focus on character relationships.

The anime version will be released by Funimation and for those who can access Hulu, the first four episodes are available for viewing in English.  The manga is still unlicensed.

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

Image Archive (.zip):  RS or MF