Miami. Japanese star Shohei Ohtani once again took center stage this Saturday, during batting practice prior to the crucial quarter-final match between Japan and Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Numerous fans gathered early at loanDepot Park in Miami, whether to avoid traffic, secure good parking, or simply to soak in the atmosphere before this important tournament matchup. However, those who arrived early had the opportunity to witness an unexpected spectacle: Ohtani’s batting practice on the field.
It’s unusual to see the Japanese phenomenon participating in batting practice on the field before games, as he usually prefers to use the indoor batting cages of the stadiums. However, on this occasion, he decided to go out onto the field, repeating an action similar to the one he performed in this same scenario before a World Baseball Classic semifinal game in 2023.
As expected, the result was a true spectacle. Each contact of the stellar player generated an immediate reaction among the fans, who tried to catch the hits, while others gathered in the stands so as not to miss the exhibition. Cell phones did not stop recording while the home runs of the Japanese player crossed long distances through the stadium.
Even several players from the Venezuelan national team momentarily interrupted their activities to observe the power of the Japanese batter, whose hits on several occasions threatened to reach the highest zones of the park.
Although there were no official measurements to calculate the distance of the home runs during practice, the strength of the contacts made it clear why Ohtani is considered one of the most electrifying players in world baseball.
The session served as a perfect prelude to the expected duel between Japan and Venezuela, two teams that aspire to advance to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic and continue their path to the tournament title.
