OC’s Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors

• March 1, 2023

By DEEPA BHARATH and PETER SMITH

The woman pastor at the center of the Southern Baptist Convention’s decision to oust Saddleback Church — the Lake Forest, California, megachurch founded by pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren — says she will continue to serve as a ministry leader despite her longstanding ties to the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.

Saddleback has yet to say if it will appeal its expulsion. But at least one other church — a Kentucky congregation ousted the same day for having a woman pastor — plans to do so, guaranteeing Southern Baptists will weigh the issue at their annual meeting in June in New Orleans.

Stacie Wood, teaching pastor at Orange County’s Saddleback and wife of lead pastor Andy Wood, wrote an Instagram post about her church’s ousting. She credited her Southern Baptist upbringing for shaping her faith but stood firm on heeding her calling despite being “at the center of the discussion.”

“I’m serving Jesus under the authority and in alignment with my spiritual leaders,” Wood wrote. “We believe that women can be gifted and empowered as teachers and as pastors.”

Her husband told the congregation during weekend services about his plan to release a video explaining the church’s position on women pastors. Wood told The Associated Press last year that the Bible “teaches that men and women were given spiritual gifts by God.”

Stacie Wood, center, and her husband, Andy Wood, meet with a congregant after his sermon on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. Stacie Wood, the woman pastor at the center of the Southern Baptist Convention’s decision to oust Saddleback Church, has said in February 2023, she will continue to serve as a ministry leader despite her longstanding ties to the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner, File)

RELATED: Saddleback Church ousted by Southern Baptist Convention over woman pastor

“My wife has the spiritual gift of teaching and she is really good. People often tell me she’s better than me when it comes to preaching,” he said.

The SBC’s statement of faith says that women should not be pastors. The SBC is not a hierarchy and can’t tell a member congregation what to do, but it can deem a church to be “not in friendly cooperation with the Convention,” the verbal formulation for ouster.

On Feb. 21, the convention’s Executive Committee voted to expel Saddleback, the SBC’s second largest congregation, alluding to Stacie Wood “functioning in the office of pastor.” It was one of five congregations kicked out for the same issue.

One of them, Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, plans to appeal, said the Rev. Linda Barnes Popham, who has served as Fern Creek’s pastor since 1993.

She said the congregation wants to continue working with the SBC, regularly uses its religious-education curriculum and supports its missionaries and other causes. At the same time, it believes the larger body of Southern Baptists — not just the Executive Committee — should decide whether to maintain fellowship with churches with women pastors.

RELATED: New Saddleback pastor sees women clergy in church’s future

“We feel like the average Southern Baptist would have no problem with this,” she said. “The other reason is to be a change agent for women in the Southern Baptist Convention — for all those young girls, for all those young people God is calling into ministry.”

Congregants dance and pray with the church band before Pastor Andy Wood gives a sermon on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner, File)

The other three churches also said they planned to continue with women’s leadership but did not indicate they would appeal.

An elder for New Faith Mission Ministry of Griffin, Georgia, said it is nondenominational and never had an affiliation with the SBC, though the convention says its records showed one.

Pastor Minnie R. Washington of St. Timothy’s Christian Baptist in Baltimore said her church has had “no interaction” with the SBC and said it was an honor to be named alongside the other ousted churches.

“Is it possible that the Executive Committee of SBC believes it can tell God who to call to lead His people?” she said via email.

Pastor Linda Smith of Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, a former Southern Baptist missionary, said her church doesn’t expect to appeal. “We’re going to press on and do what God calls us to do,” focusing on ministry in a needy neighborhood, she said.

Saddleback did not respond to requests for comment regarding a possible appeal.

In an email, Andy Wood told the congregation he would soon release a belief statement about women as pastors.

“God intends for both men and women to exercise their spiritual gifts of shepherding and teaching the church.” He also asked them not to speak publicly against the denomination’s decision.

“Though we are disappointed by their decision, we are not offended. We love and have valued our relationship with the SBC and its faithful churches. We will engage and respond through the proper channels at the appropriate time,” the email stated.

The Saddleback controversy began in 2021, when Warren ordained three women as pastors, prompting discussions within the SBC about possibly expelling the megachurch. Warren, who retired last year after more than 42 years at Saddleback, made an emotional speech in June 2022 at the Southern Baptists’ annual convention in Anaheim, saying: “We have to decide if we will treat each other as allies or adversaries.”

The denomination’s statement of faith was revised in 2000 to state: “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”

But opinions have varied on whether this is a litmus test for a church’s alignment with the SBC. The SBC’s constitution allows for the expulsion of churches whose “faith and practice” don’t align with it, though it doesn’t specifically name women pastors as cause for removal.

In her Feb. 23 post, Stacie Wood called herself “a Southern Baptist girl born and bred” and expressed gratitude for how those roots shaped her faith. She remains impressed with the SBC’s passion for Bible study and missions.

But, in her adult years in ministry, she said, “denominational affiliations haven’t felt like a central component to what we’ve been called to do” including the time when the Woods started and ran Echo Church, a nondenominational church in the San Francisco Bay Area.

“We partnered with Southern Baptists who helped us get started, but we’ve also been delighted to partner with many different church leaders from a variety of denominations to advance the Gospel,” she said.

She has received an outpouring of support.

Her husband, replying to her Instagram post, said he was proud of her: “I’m grateful that I get to be part of a generation of leaders who propel sons and daughters forward in the Kingdom!”

Kay Warren, her predecessor and wife of Pastor Rick Warren, also responded supportively: “I love you Stacie! … It’s a privilege to run this race side by side with you!”

Many congregants are backing her, too.

“When Stacie came on board, I remember thinking, ‘Finally, we have a woman pastor,‘” said Charity Hurt, a Saddleback member for seven years. “If that’s what you’re called to do, you should be able to do it.”

Hurt said it does not really matter to her whether Saddleback remains in the SBC or not.

“I’m just so happy with the direction in which (the Woods) are taking us,” she said, adding that she is not sure if many in Saddleback even know that their church is part of the SBC.

Some are approaching the issue with caution. Kimberly Lattimore, a congregant for 33 years, said she “supports Saddleback 100%,” but is eager to hear Andy Wood’s reasoning in favor of women pastors and do her own research.

“I have no problem with women being pastors and teaching other women,” she said. “But, the question I have is whether women should be teaching men. I’m going to look carefully to see what Bible says.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

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​ Orange County Register 

Justin Bieber cancels remaining Justice World Tour dates, including California shows

• March 1, 2023

Justin Bieber fans waiting eagerly for new dates for his postponed international tour have been told the shows won’t be going ahead.

Fan sites have reported that the remainder of the Canadian singer’s Justice World Tour dates have been canceled, and Bieber’s website doesn’t currently list any dates.

On ticket company Ticketmaster’s website, all concerts in the US, Ireland, France, Poland, Australia, the US, Denmark and the Czech Republic are also shown as canceled. The same goes for Bieber’s show in Bangkok, Thailand, according to event organizer Live Nation Tero.

The artist and his reps haven’t commented on the cancellations or given a reason.

Fans in London, where Bieber was originally scheduled to perform in February, received an email from events company AXS on Tuesday stating: “We regret to inform you that the Justin Bieber shows planned to take place at The O2 arena have been cancelled.”

“We understand you will be disappointed and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” it said, adding that refunds will be issued.

Bieber first announced that he would be taking a break from performing in June, one month after his tour began, due to having Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome, which left his face partially paralyzed.

The pop star then resumed touring at the end of July.

However, after going to Europe and performing six live shows, “it took a real toll” on him, the singer announced in a statement posted on Twitter in September.

He added that he needs to make his health “the priority” right now: “I’m going to be ok, but I need time to rest and get better.”

CNN has contacted Bieber’s representatives for comment.

The-CNN-Wire & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.

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Travel: Cruise specialty dining — what is and isn’t included?

• March 1, 2023

In a day when decent meals have been taken from the mouths of airplane passengers flying economy, cruises are a breath of fresh ocean air.

Going cheap on a commercial airline might get you a soggy sandwich or lukewarm Hot Pocket if you’re lucky. But some 36,000 feet below, even cruisers who book an inside cabin next to an elevator on a low deck are enjoying upgraded grub without an upcharge.

From celebrity chef gourmet burgers to high-tech, movie-themed restaurants, more and more cruise lines are including specialty dining with fares. Increased value isn’t something consumers have seen much of since the pandemic wreaked havoc on the hospitality industry, but this trend bucking by cruise lines is happening simultaneously with unprecedented incentives to either woo back past guests or make new ones out of those hesitant to sail due to concerns over COVID-19 and other reasons.

Even sweeter, it’s not just the pricey, all-inclusive ships that throw in specialty dining here and there. Take Disney of the premium cruise line category, which is nestled between mainstream (Carnival, MSC, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean) and luxury (Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Windstar and the newly revived Crystal). One thing that sets Disney apart from Azamara, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, Oceania, Princess and Virgin at the premium level — besides mice running amok on its ships (sorry, Mickey and Minnie) — is that the company’s floating resorts redefine the term “main dining room.”

Queen Elsa welcomes guests at her sister’s engagement dinner aboard the Disney Wish. (Photo by David Dickstein)

On Disney Wish, no fees or engagement gifts are necessary to attend Queen Anna and Kristoff’s betrothal dinner dubbed Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. Also included is the flagship’s Worlds of Marvel, another family-friendly experience that’s part of Disney’s fleetwide rotational dining system. So, feast till your stomach’s content on Chilean sea bass, rib-eye steak, filet mignon and supercalifragilisticexpialidocious desserts because Scrooge McDuck won’t be tacking an extra charge to your account.

From Disney’s “magical” ships to Carnival’s “Fun Ships,” here’s a bit of good news/bad news for cruisers counting pennies and calories: Perhaps the best burgers and chicken strips at sea are included with fares, and whoever doesn’t consider Guy Fieri’s meaty masterpieces or Shaquille O’Neil’s flavorful chicken tenders as specialty dining has never eaten at Guy’s Burger Joint or Big Chicken. Most of Carnival’s Fun Ships have the moo, but the cluck is only a defeathered friend on Mardi Gras, Radiance, Celebration and, come October, the new Jubilee.

Back to the premium category, inclusive specialty dining on Oceania’s Regatta-class ships consists of Polo Grill for steaks, chops and fresh seafood, and Toscana, which, as its name suggests, serves gourmet Italian cuisine with a Tuscan flair. Viking’s ocean ships counter with their lavish takes on steak and seafood at Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant, while on Virgin vessels, carnivores graze at The Wake, part of the adults-only line’s Michelin-starred chef collective.

Moving on up to the luxury cruise line category, Candles on Windstar ships is the epitome of all-inclusive specialty dining, featuring to-die-for steaks, sea bass and lemon tarts enjoyed al fresco by candlelight with amazing views off the stern. On some Silversea ships is a unique experiential program called S.A.L.T., which stands for Sea and Land Taste. The epicurean and educational treat combines onshore culinary excursions with onboard dining to tantalize the mouth and mind. Among the included specialty dining aboard Regent Seven Seas ships are the Prime 7 steakhouse, French-accented Signatures and Tuscan-inspired Sette Mari at La Veranda. When the beloved Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony return to duty this summer with new owners, A&K Travel Group, they’ll add Osteria D’Ovidio to the maritime mix of specialty Italian restaurants.

Cruise lines across all categories are always finding ways to charge a premium for better accommodations, and one of the most popular is exclusive dining. Technically, a restaurant that serves only suite guests is less “specialty” and more an alternate main dining room. But that doesn’t stop some from adding these to their list of specialty restaurants.

Holland America offers single-cruise membership into Club Orange with perks that include a private dining room. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Azamara is one line that doesn’t charge suite guests who dine at its two specialty restaurants, Prime C (steak) and Aqualina (seafood). On Royal Caribbean, guests booked in mini-suites and higher in addition to Pinnacle Club members can dine at the understatedly elegant Coastal Kitchen, which features a fusion of California and Mediterranean cuisine. Passengers staying in AquaClass on Celebrity get exclusive access to Blu and its spa-style dishes at breakfast and lunch while suite guests are invited to enjoy the elevated breakfast, lunch and dinner menus at Luminae. On Holland America, you can buy your way into Club Orange, which, among other benefits, comes with a private dining venue and expanded menu on Pinnacle-class ships.

Lovely as specialty restaurants with no surcharge are, with few exceptions you’re still paying for the upgraded experience in the fare. Going with a more affordable cruise line, especially one in the mainstream or premium categories, will likely result in your specialty dining adventure being à la carte. Fees generally range from $29-$59 per person, and most non-all-inclusive cruise ships with multiple restaurants offer package deals. MSC even has an “Unlimited Dining Experiences” bundle on some ships with a price tag of about $200 per person.

Tip #1: Often the best price for packages is offered online in the booking manager tool. Tip #2: Better chef’s table experiences can run a few hundred dollars but, unlike with most fee-based meals, typically includes wine; booking early is wise as these ultimate splurges tend to sell out.

Augmented reality meets gourmet cuisine at Le Petit Chef on Celebrity ships. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Some of the best upcharging specialty restaurants are found on premium-category ships. Going one further, Celebrity has perhaps the finest collection on a single vessel. On its Solstice class ships, for example, guests can’t go wrong with any of the four aboard. Augmented reality meets gourmet cuisine at Le Petit Chef; Tuscan Grille is arguably the only reliable Italian restaurant south of the luxury-ship category; surf and turf are well represented at the elegant Murano; and Sushi on Five is simply raw-some.

It’s chateaubriand for two prepared tableside at Murano, Celebrity’s finest fine dining option. (Photo by David Dickstein)

More premium-class dining worth the premium is on Holland America. Tamarind does justice to cuisines of Southeast Asia, China and Japan, while Pinnacle Grill, the ship’s steakhouse, has a candied bacon side that goes perfectly with its cuts and salmon. Another winner on Holland America is Rudi’s Sel de Mer, an intimate French-hinting brasserie from master chef Rudi Sodamin. Meanwhile, Disney has two instant classics on its Wish flagship: the “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired, adults-exclusive Enchanté, and Palo Steakhouse that makes every dish a work of art. On Cunard ships is The Verandah, perhaps the best steakhouse at sea. Princess holds its own with Crown Grill for steak and seafood, and the more beef-leaning Sterling Steakhouse.

Palo is known for its steaks, but the tiramisu is to die for on Disney Wish. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Sailing on a mainstream cruise line might save enough money to splurge on a full-service, sit-down specialty restaurant as opposed to Guy’s Burger Joint, Big Chicken and other distinctive quick-serve eateries.

Steakhouses on value megaships that make the grade, U.S. prime or otherwise, include Cagney’s on Norwegian, Chops Grille on Royal Caribbean and those on Carnival; they go by different names, but have virtually the same menu.

The wagyu short rib as pretty as it is popular at Ji Ji Asian Kitchen on Carnival ships. (Photo by David Dickstein)

Take a tasty trip to Bayou Country at the Southern-comforted Mason Jar, home of lip-smackin’ beef brisket, pork ribs and fried chicken, with and without waffles. The bourbon-chocolate pecan pie, alone, is worth the surcharge. Same with the sweet and sour shrimp at Carnival’s two Asian dining spots, Ji Ji Asian Kitchen and Chibang!

For a magical dinner experience on select Royal Caribbean ships, Wonderland immerses patrons in the world of Lewis Carroll on their first step through the looking glass. If that’s Royal Caribbean’s counter to Disney’s fantasy-rich dining experiences, then Carnival’s version is the once-a-cruise Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and friends. Journey into the deliciously whimsical world of Dr. Seuss and you, too, might say you like green eggs and ham. Tip #3: Despite what the book says, Carnival discourages you from eating them in a box or eating them with a fox.

If you go …

Azamara — azamara.com
Carnival Cruise Line — carnival.com
Celebrity Cruises — celebritycruises.com
Crystal — crystalcruises.com
Cunard — cunard.com
Disney Cruise Line — disneycruiseline.com
Holland America Line — hollandamerica.com
MSC Cruises — msccruisesusa.com
Norwegian Cruise Line — ncl.com
Oceania Cruises — oceaniacruises.com
Princess Cruises — princess.com
Regent Seven Seas Cruises — rssc.com
Royal Caribbean International — royalcaribbean.com
Seabourn Cruise Line — seabourn.com
Silversea Cruises — silversea.com
Viking Cruises — vikingcruises.com
Virgin Voyages — virginvoyages.com
Windstar Cruises — windstarcruises.com

​ Orange County Register 

Home Depot to fill 550 job openings in Southern California

• March 1, 2023

Home Depot is looking to fill 500 full- and part-time positions in Southern California as the home improvement retailer gears up for its busy spring season.

Openings are available in customer service, sales, store support, freight operations and merchandising.

The company didn’t reveal what the various positions pay, but data from Indeed.com show Home Depot merchandisers in California earn $16.24 an hour, while sales associates make $15.96 and warehouse workers are paid $18.37 an hour.

Job seekers are encouraged to apply online at careers.homedepot.com. The company will also hold a Virtual Spring Career Day event on Thursday, March 16. Attendees will hear from current employees to get a better idea of the various jobs that are available, as well as Home Depot’s company culture and benefits.

Openings are available in customer service, sales, store support, freight operations and merchandising. (Photo courtesy of Home Depot)

Home Depot offers a range of health and personal benefits, including tuition reimbursement, a performance-based cash bonus program, paid family leave, back-up dependent care, a 401(k) savings plan and a discounted company stock purchase program.

Over the last three years, Home Depot workers have received more than $1.5 billion in Success Sharing awards, the company said.

Home Depot said 90% of its store leadership started as hourly employees.

Home Depot is the world’s largest home improvement retailer with approximately 500,000 employees and more than 2,300 stores throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The company generated $157.4 billion in revenue in 2022.

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Orange County scores and player stats for Tuesday, Feb. 28

• March 1, 2023

Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now

Scores and stats from Orange County games on Tuesday, Feb. 28

Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.

TUESDAY’S SCORES

BOYS SOCCER

CIF SOCAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Round I

DIVISION I

JSerra 7, Ridgeview 0

GIRLS SOCCER

CIF SOCAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Round I

DIVISION III

Marina 2, Centennial/Bakersfield 0

​ Orange County Register 

Thousand Oaks healthcare workers to protest short-staffing, low wages

• March 1, 2023

Angelina Valdivia knows what it’s like to be short on staffing.

As a food and nutrition worker at Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks, Valdivia and her co-workers say they’re continually playing catch-up.

“We have nurses calling us because patients are hungry and waiting for food,” she said. “All we can do is our best … but it’s never enough.”

Several Los Robles employees who claim they’re constantly short-staffed plan to picket the hospital on Wednesday, March 1 to get their message out. They are among nearly 600 workers at the center represented by SEIU-UHW.

They include emergency room technicians, nursing assistants, respiratory therapists, food service workers, dieticians and drivers. Their contract expires March 31.

HCA Healthcare, which owns and operates the hospital, keeps wages and staffing levels low, workers say, and it’s putting patient care at risk.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Los Robles Health System said its staffing is “safe, appropriate and in line with other community hospitals.” It added that the hospital values all of its employees and provides a safe environment for patients, caregivers and visitors.

Wednesday’s protest comes on the heels of a January rally at West Hills Hospital & Medical Center, another HCA-run facility where healthcare workers also claim they’re understaffed.

A recent SEIU report analyzed federal data, which showed chronic short-staffing at HCA hospitals and how it impacts patient care.

“HCA staffs its hospitals at very low levels, typically about 30% below the national average, according to the analysis of Medicare cost-report data,” the report said. “This trend of low staffing at HCA hospitals reflects an intentional corporate strategy that long predates the COVID pandemic.”

In a January 2022 survey of more than 1,500 frontline nurses and healthcare workers at HCA hospitals, nearly 80% reported witnessing patient care being jeopardized due to low staffing, the report said.

The SEIU-UHW employees are demanding increased staffing as well as a statewide healthcare minimum wage of $25 an hour.

Xochitl Gonzalez, a patent care technician who has worked at Los Robles for seven years, said she’s still earning $25 an hour.

Many of the patients Gonzalez assists have broken bones or are otherwise disabled. She helps them bathe and get to and from the restroom safely, among other duties.

“Sometimes I’m on a floor by myself with 30 patients I have to handle,” the 55-year-old Thousand Oaks resident said. “When it’s like that I can’t get to everybody, so people have to wait longer before I can attend to them.”

Ideally, Gonzalez said she should be handling no more than 10 patients at a time.

“If you have more you’re not providing quality care to anyone,” she said. “I pride myself on giving the best possible care to patients.”

In its statement, Los Robles Health System said it has a strong culture of respect and collaboration for its workers.

“Labor union negotiations are a part of our operations cycle, conducted every three years,” the statement said. “During each renewal period, our goal is the same: to secure a fair agreement that continues to support a culture of colleague safety, care excellence and compassion.”

​ Orange County Register 

San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan is running for State Assembly in AD-74

• March 1, 2023

San Clemente Mayor Chris Duncan is running for a state assembly seat for the third time.

Duncan, a Democrat, launched a 2024 bid for California’s 74th Assembly District with an announcement on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The seat is currently held by Republican Laurie Davies, who pulled ahead of Duncan in the 2020 primary and defeated him in a rematch in the 2022 midterm election.

Duncan pledged to focus on making the cost of living more affordable for California’s middle-class families and pointed to his experience as mayor and federal prosecutor.

“I’m running to put the middle class first, lower costs for working families, and ensure all our children grow up safe with real opportunity,” he said in a statement. “From keeping costs and crime down as mayor of San Clemente to rooting out political corruption as a prosecutor, my life’s work has been fighting to keep the promise of the California Dream alive, and that’s exactly what I’ll fight for in the state Assembly.”

Duncan said Sacramento is currently failing at representing all Californians.

“Reducing the cost of tuition for college, housing costs, cutting taxes for the middle class, not the wealthy corporations, capping prescription drug costs, these are things that California can do for everyday folks,” he said.

“I want to give people hope in this difficult time that you can excel and live out your dreams as a middle class family,” Duncan added. “We need to get back to that by lowering costs and making California more affordable. That’s not getting done right now.”

The district spans south Orange County and north San Diego County and includes Dana Point, San Clemente and Oceanside.

Duncan is serving his third year on the San Clemente City Council and was appointed mayor in December by his colleagues. He previously worked as a senior attorney and prosecutor for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to his campaign website.

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Angels’ Shohei Ohtani ‘satisfied’ with spring debut on mound

• March 1, 2023

MESA, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to take the mound for two innings in his 2023 spring training pitching debut Tuesday afternoon but as with everything else in his major league career, he gave even more.

The Angels’ two-way star made his last appearance with the Angels before leaving for Japan in advance of World Baseball Classic play. He faced six batters through two innings and then faced two more bonus hitters in the third inning against the Oakland Athletics.

His final act on the mound was to hop in disbelief after his pitch to Ryan Noda was called out of the strike zone for a walk. He departed after a visit from Manager Phil Nevin, content after throwing 33 pitches with two walks, two strikeouts and no hits.

“This was the first real game this year so I wanted to ease in and try to hit around 95 (mph) and I was able to do that,” Ohtani said through an interpreter about his 1-2-3 first inning. “In the second inning, I would have really liked to hit 100, but (it was) 98. I was pretty satisfied with that.”

Using PitchCom himself and sending his pitch selections to catcher Logan O’Hoppe, instead of the other way around, Ohtani was looking for a way to get a jump on the new pitch clock. While doing so, he became even more difficult to take your eye off of while in constant motion.

His PitchCom device appeared to be on his upper left arm as he fidgeted with that side of his upper body between pitches, but when asked where it was located, he protected the information like a trade secret.

“It’s a good sign that you guys don’t know,” Ohtani said, first getting a laugh from Japanese reporters gathered around him, then another when his answer was translated into English.

If Tuesday’s Ohtani experience was anything, it was a sign that the star is at ease while at a critical juncture of his baseball career.

As arguably the world’s most popular baseball player, he now pivots toward baseball’s world tournament with a chance to bring more eyes to the WBC than ever before.

Ohtani also heads into a free-agent season as a once-in-a-generation two-way player who can hit and pitch at the highest of levels. He owns a combination of physical and mental tools the game has never seen.

Asked about the pitch clock, Ohtani said he felt rushed, but he wasn’t worried. Of course not.

“I think as long as I get games under my belt, I should be fine,” he said.

There won’t be a pitch clock at the WBC, but Ohtani might keep the quick pitch tempo anyway. Or maybe he won’t once game intensity starts.

“There is not really a point, but I will try to work a little bit faster,” he said. “I was glad I was able to get this under my belt to prepare for the season.”

He is expected to board a flight for Japan on Wednesday, then join his countrymen for what is projected to be a long WBC run. And while there, the player who is likely to land the richest contract in baseball history in free agency, will apparently not even be the best player in the clubhouse.

That was Ohtani’s claim anyway, according to none other than Mike Trout in a recent conversation between the two that probably was more WBC gamesmanship than anything.

So who is this star of all stars that will be on Team Japan?

“You’ll find out if you watch the games,” said Ohtani, the most watchable player of all.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Nevin said O’Hoppe being the catcher for Ohtani on Tuesday isn’t necessarily a sign of anything moving forward.

“Don’t read anything into this as Opening Day or anything like that,” Nevin said. “Trust me.”

Nevin said Ohtani’s history with Max Stassi would make it easy for the pair to resume a comfort level before the season starts. And Ohtani has a working relationship with Matt Thaiss as well.

“I want all three of them to be able to have some comfort level with him and really, in Shohei being comfortable with them,” Nevin said.

​ Orange County Register