Shohei Ohtani, a major league baseball player known for his dual skills as a pitcher and a hitter, has been recognized as a prodigy since his Little League days in his hometown of Mizusawa, Japan.
Humble beginnings: Ohtani showed an affinity for baseball from a young age, playing for Mizusawa Pirates Little League team and distinguishing himself with his superior skills.
* From the age of 8 to 14, Ohtani played for the Mizusawa Pirates, showing prowess in hitting home runs and pitching fastballs.
* His skills caused a challenge, as his strong hits often resulted in lost baseballs and his pitches were hard to catch due to their fast speed.
A unique approach: Unlike the typical emphasis on strict discipline, Ohtani’s coach focused on the enjoyment of the game, which may have contributed to Ohtani’s love for baseball.
* Coach Shoji Asari encouraged his players to grow freely rather staying strictly disciplined in their training.
* Sports journalist Nobuya Kobayashi attributes Ohtani’s continued love for baseball to Asari’s less conventional approach.
Break from tradition: Despite skepticism towards the dual role in professional baseball, Ohtani persisted in practicing both pitching and hitting and has made his mark by succeeding in this two-sword style of play.
* He played for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan from 2013 to 2017 before moving to the US.
* Major League Baseball even passed the ‘Ohtani rule’ which allowed a pitcher to bat as a designated hitter after being relieved from the mound.
Concerns arising: Some observers, including Asari and Kobayashi, have expressed concerns about the physical toll of Ohtani’s unique style.
* Asari suggests that the dual role is impossible due to the potential for injury.
* Kobayashi worries that Ohtani’s shift towards the more power-focused American style of baseball might lead to him getting hurt.
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