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Lars Nootbaar pulled up to tonight's quarterfinal game in Miami and was given the "Ohtani pass" t...

By World Baseball Classic
Posted March 15, 2026

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About the Creator

The World Baseball Classic (WBC) is the official social media account for baseball's premier international tournament. Known for sharing highlights, memorable moments, and behind-the-scenes content, the account has strong credibility as the primary source for WBC news and engagement.

What's This About?

This post humorously references Lars Nootbaar being granted special access to hang out on the field with Team Japan during a quarterfinal game in Miami, jokingly calling it the 'Ohtani pass.' The post plays on Nootbaar's connection to Japan (through his mother's heritage) and his prominent role in Japan's 2023 WBC championship victory. It captures a lighthearted moment of camaraderie between Nootbaar and the Japanese team, highlighting the international bonds formed through the tournament.

🔥Why It's Trending

This content is trending because it combines humor with nostalgia for the 2023 WBC championship, when Japan defeated the United States 3-2 with Shohei Ohtani memorably striking out Mike Trout to secure victory. The 'Ohtani pass' reference resonates with fans familiar with that iconic moment, while the casual nature of Nootbaar being welcomed on the field creates an engaging, relatable moment that appeals to baseball enthusiasts across different countries.

💡Fun Facts

  • 1Lars Nootbaar played for Team Japan in the 2023 WBC despite growing up in Southern California, qualifying through his mother's Japanese heritage
  • 2Japan won the 2023 WBC championship 3-2 over the United States, with Shohei Ohtani throwing the final pitch—an 87.2 mph slider—to strike out Mike Trout
  • 3Nootbaar hit a crucial RBI ground out during the 2023 championship game after Aaron Loup relieved the U.S. pitcher
  • 4The term 'Ohtani pass' likely references Shohei Ohtani's status as a global baseball superstar and his role as the 2023 WBC MVP
  • 5Nootbaar has expressed deep appreciation for his WBC experience with Japan, describing it as transformative despite missing the 2026 tournament due to heel surgery

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Lars Nootbaar pulled up to tonight's quarterfinal game in Miami and was given the "Ohtani pass" t...