Shohei Ohtani of the Major League Baseball Dodgers batted free for the third time at the camp being held in Arizona. Out of 26 swings, 13 of them went over the fence, showing off his natural power and surprising his teammates.
On the 16th, at the Dodgers' camp in Glendale, Arizona, Ohtani warmed up around 10 a.m., then practiced base running for the first time while smiling and chatting with his teammates.
After this, we were originally scheduled to have actual batting practice with pitchers, but instead of participating in that practice, we started free batting for the third time in the camp from around 11:20 a.m.
Otani took 26 swings, 13 of which were home runs, and along the way he hit 6 consecutive shots over the fence, and also hit a ball that went over the back screen.
The air in Arizona, where the camp is being held, is dry, making it easy for the ball to fly, but Otani's teammates who were practicing in the same group seemed surprised by the speed and distance Otani hit the ball. .
In addition, pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to take the mound for actual batting practice on the 17th, exactly one week after the Battery Group's camp-in on the 9th of this month.
Held every year, “Chicken Wing Eating” is won by Mr. Sonoda, the interpreter of pitcher Yamamoto.
The Dodgers have posted photos of the team's annual chicken wing eating contest on their official Instagram account.
Otani and pitcher Yamamoto, both dressed in casual clothes, participated in the event in a relaxed manner, and when infielder Miguel Rojas asked, ``Shohei, who do you think will win?'' Otani replied with a smile, ``Sono-san,'' and Yamamoto He mentioned the name of Yoshihiro Sonoda, who serves as the pitcher's exclusive interpreter.
Rojas then asked Ohtani, ``How many cans Shohei can eat?'' Otani answered, ``Maybe 40,'' and pitcher Yamamoto responded with a smile, ``75!''
The contest was won by Mr. Sonoda, who was nominated by Mr. Otani as the winner, and the venue was filled with cheers of "Hiro! Hiro! Hiro!" and was a huge success.
In his victory speech, Sonoda said, ``Thank you for everyone's support.This is my first major league season, but your support has been even more amazing than I imagined.Why did Shohei and Yoshinobu choose this team?'' I understand now,'' he said, and at the end, the three of them took a commemorative photo with Otani and pitcher Yamamoto.
Major League Baseball teams sometimes hold events outside the field during camp periods to increase team cohesion.
From these events, it can be seen that Otani and pitcher Yamamoto have already integrated into the team.