The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their 2025 season in dramatic fashion, defeating the Chicago Cubs 6-3 in Game 2 of the Tokyo Series. Among the highlights of the game was Shohei Ohtani, who wasted no time showcasing his talents, launching his first home run of the season as he chases his second consecutive MVP title. However, his home run was marred by controversy, with replays suggesting potential fan interference.
Fan interference controversy
In the fifth inning, Ohtani stepped up to the plate and hammered a fastball from Cubs reliever Nate Pearson, sending the ball rocketing toward deep center field at a blistering 99.1 mph. The question was whether the ball had cleared the yellow home-run line at the top of the fence, a moment that had the crowd holding its breath.
As Ohtani leisurely jogged to second base, the umpire signaled a home run, but the call was quickly reviewed. Replays revealed that, just before the ball sailed out of the field of play, it appeared a fan might have touched it. Fox Sports announcers Adam Amin and A.J. Pierzynski discussed whether the ball had made contact with a fan’s hand mid-flight. Despite the uncertainty, the call stood, and Ohtani was credited with the home run, extending the Dodgers' lead to 6-2.
Were the umpires correct in their decision?
While the controversial call did not affect the outcome of the game, it raised significant questions about fan interference. According to Major League Baseball's rules, spectator interference occurs when a fan reaches onto the field and interferes with a fielder's ability to make a play. In this case, the umpires likely determined that the ball was already on its way over the fence when the fan made contact. Since no realistic chance existed for Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to catch the ball, the home-run call stood.
Had the umpires ruled otherwise, Ohtani would have been credited with a double. However, as the ball cleared the Tokyo Dome's outfield wall, the umpires allowed the play to stand, giving Ohtani the home run.
A moment of drama and celebration
While Cubs fans may have felt aggrieved by the decision, the controversy added an extra layer of excitement to the Tokyo Series. The confirmation of Ohtani's home run sent the crowd into a frenzy, further solidifying Ohtani's reputation as one of baseball's most electrifying players and reinforcing his position as a frontrunner for another NL MVP award.