Shohei Ohtani Bats Leadoff Against Hard-Throwing Pitcher
Listen to the story
Shohei Ohtani took the field as the leadoff batter and designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers. As designated hitter, he batted for his team without playing a defensive position.
In this game, Ohtani faced a right-handed pitcher known for his extremely fast throws. The pitcher's fastest recorded pitch reached 169.7 kilometers per hour, one of the fastest speeds in baseball. Fans were eager to see if Ohtani could hit against such a powerful fastball.
Ohtani managed one hit during the game. He plays alongside several other star pitchers on the Dodgers, forming what fans call the team's 'Big Four' starting rotation. The group includes Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Sukbal, and Snell.
These four pitchers recently posed together for a photograph, drawing major attention from supporters. A large crowd of fans gathered near the bullpen, the area where pitchers warm up before a game, hoping to watch them practice.
Meanwhile, another Japanese player, Roki Sasaki, also pitched in a separate Major League game. His outing ended in a no-decision, meaning neither he nor the opposing pitcher was credited with a win or a loss. This can happen when the game situation changes after a pitcher leaves the game.
Ohtani continues to draw attention both as a hitter and as part of one of the league's most talked-about pitching staffs. His performance against hard-throwing pitchers remains a popular topic among baseball fans following the Dodgers this season.
Vocabulary5 words
- designated hitter
- a player who only bats and does not play defense
- fastball
- a very fast pitch thrown straight
- rotation
- the group of pitchers who start games in turn
- bullpen
- the place where pitchers warm up before playing
- no-decision
- a baseball result where no pitcher gets a win or loss
Quiz
Answer key
1. Leadoff batter and designated hitter 2. He threw an extremely fast pitch of 169.7 km/h 3. It ended in a no-decision
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Shohei Ohtani took the field as the leadoff batter and _____ for the Los Angeles Dodgers. As designated hitter, he batted for his team without playing a defensive position.
In this game, Ohtani faced a right-handed pitcher known for his extremely fast throws. The pitcher's fastest recorded pitch reached _____ kilometers per hour, one of the fastest speeds in baseball.
Ohtani managed _____ hit during the game. He plays alongside several other star pitchers on the Dodgers, forming what fans call the team's '_____' starting rotation.
These four pitchers recently posed together for a _____, drawing major attention from supporters. A large crowd of fans gathered near the _____, hoping to watch them practice.
Meanwhile, another Japanese player, Roki Sasaki, also pitched in a separate Major League game. His outing ended in a _____, meaning neither pitcher was credited with a win or a loss.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think fans were excited to see Ohtani face a pitcher who throws 169.7 km/h?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a designated hitter compared to playing a defensive position?
- Why might fans want to watch pitchers practice in the bullpen?
- Do you follow Japanese players in Major League Baseball? Why or why not?