Time for a Ball Game

Walking home, Sugino crosses paths with the baseball club and its ace Shindo, an old teammate from before he was demoted into Class E. When the tournament pits the Class E boys against the club, Korosensei takes over as coach and, reading Shindo's fastballs as the threat, drills the team to bunt. The tactic blindsides the club in the first inning and hands Class E three quick runs.

Before the club can reply, Chairman Asano muscles the coach aside and takes command himself. His creed about trampling others to win reshapes the players, who pack their defense to smother the bunts, a legal but pointed move that the friendly umpire lets stand, and Shindo swiftly retires the side.

On Korosensei's cue, Karma opens the second inning by loudly criticizing the crowded defense, the silent umpire, and the ignorant crowd, seeding a provocation for later. The club then turns Class E's own bunting back on them through Hashimoto, loading the bases with Shindo, now fired up by the chairman, set to bat last. Korosensei counters by having Karma and Isogai crowd Sugino at point-blank range, arguing the club already set the precedent. Karma's trash talk and Shindo's reluctance to hit the boys throw off his swings, and the club loses.

Nagisa notes the audience missed the hidden contest between the two coaches, while Sugino patches up his friendship with Shindo. Korosensei claims victory over the chairman, leaving the finals as the next decisive round.

The episode adapts Chapters 33 through 36 and introduces the second opening theme, Jiriki Hongan Revolution, marking the shift into the back half of the first season. A manga scene celebrating Class A's win over Class D is cut, so Seo does not appear. It first aired in Japan on April 10, 2015.