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Japanese baseballer makes ball disappear after massive hit

Mike Townsend - Big League Stew

Most of us were not around to watch Babe Ruth in his prime, when he was not only baseball’s premier power hitter but also a true pitching ace. We do have Japanese superstar Shohei Otani though.

The 22-year-old pitcher and outfielder is making his case to be baseball’s best two-way player since 'The Babe', and his legend only continued to grow after he launched a baseball that got lodged in the panels of the Tokyo Dome roof.

Otani and Team Japan were taking on the Netherlands in a World Baseball Classic exhibition game when he launched the epic moonshot.

Otani's powerful hit sent the baseball flying up to the roof of the stadium. Photo: YouTube
Otani's powerful hit sent the baseball flying up to the roof of the stadium. Photo: YouTube
The ball disappeared between the panels of the Toyko Dome roof, leaving onlookers stunned. Photo: YouTube
The ball disappeared between the panels of the Toyko Dome roof, leaving onlookers stunned. Photo: YouTube
Otani's teammates watched on in confusion after the ball vanished. Photo: YouTube
Otani's teammates watched on in confusion after the ball vanished. Photo: YouTube
Otani is said to be the best two-way player since the legendary Babe Ruth. Photo: AP
Otani is said to be the best two-way player since the legendary Babe Ruth. Photo: AP

Per the Tokyo Dome ground rules, Otani was awarded with a double. Per our own vision, that was one of the most impressive feats of power we’ve seen in a long time.

Japan went on to win the game 12-10, finishing a four-game exhibition series against the Netherlands and Mexico with a 3-1 record. Now the focus again turns to whether or not Otani will be posted by the Nippon Ham Fighters, allowing him to test his skills in MLB.