Batter stuns with martial arts-inspired routine at plate

A high school batter has stolen the show at a Japanese baseball game, though not for his ability to hit the long ball.

Footage from the game shows the camera operator initially focus on the school’s band before their attention is quickly caught by the diminutive hitter’s spectacular routine at the plate.

The southpaw, who surely must have experience in martial arts, wields the bat as if it were a sword, flinging it around his body with both hands before taking a swing.

The number 12 also engages in a series of hops and would-be combat poses as if he is about to take the pitcher on in a sword fight.

Despite the mesmerising display, which leaves the opposition catcher stunned, the batter fails to get on base after finally getting a hit away to left field following a series of foul balls.