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Shohei Ohtani stuns spectators with laser show batting practice in Japan
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- Shohei Ohtani stuns spectators with laser show batting practice in Japan
No matter what continent Shohei Ohtan i is on, two things seem to be constant with the Dodgers superstar.
The first? He's going to crush baseballs. And the second? Fans are going to be in awe.
Ohtani left his Los Angeles teammates at spring training in Arizona this week to head to Japan to prepare for the World Baseball Classic , and on Friday, he dazzled spectators with his light-tower power.
Shohei Ohtani left his Dodgers teammates to be with Team Japan as it prepares for the World Baseball Classic. JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images
Just before Samurai Japan took on the Chunichi Dragons in a WBC tuneup at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, Ohtani stepped into the box for some batting practice and ripped ball after ball after ball into the seats.
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The thousands in attendance — including fellow baseball players — all paused what they were doing to watch the show, and video captured from inside the venue shows nearly everyone was stunned.
In fact, some on the field even pulled out their phones to document the four-time MVP's session at the dish.
At points, several on the Dragons roster let out audible gasps seeing how far Ohtani was putting baseballs.
Shohei Ohtani's batting practice left onlookers stunned in Japan on Friday. Chunichi Dragons
When Ohtani wrapped his time at the dish, he received an applause usually reserved for a Home Run Derby contestant.
Ohtani will officially take the field for Team Japan in the WBC when his team kicks off its tournament run on March 6 against Chinese Taipei.
While he isn't scheduled to pitch in the event while trying to preserve his arm for the 2026 MLB season , it's clear there will be more than a few fans tuned in to watch his at-bats.
