This is Leo Guastello. He is 6 years old. And the story of how he got this bat is wonderful. 
So it’s about 5:55 p.m., and Shohei Ohtani has just finished taking batting practice. Rather than head back to the clubhouse with his teammates, he curls behind the cage and starts signing autographs.
In front is Leo. He’s here with his dad, P.J., who told him that maybe Shohei would give him a bat. Naturally, Leo thought it was a great idea to ask. “Can I have your bat?” he asks. Ohtani is busy signing, so he asks again. And again. And again.
Ohtani’s translator, Ippei Mizuhara, tells him what Leo is saying. Ohtani chuckles. He keeps signing, including a ball for Leo, and then heads away. I ask Leo what he thinks, and he says, “That’s the best baseball player ever. He pitches and hits.”
Four minutes later, as Leo is about to head with his dad to their seats, Shohei Ohtani walks back across the field, leans over the rope and hands Leo a bat. Imprinted on the barrel, in kanji, is Ohtani’s name.
Shohei Ohtani is 23 years old. He’s trying to do something that hasn’t been done in a century. And he still had time for a 6-year-old boy who just wanted a bat and along with it got a new favorite player.
