A highly anticipated auction is set to proceed as scheduled, despite a last-minute legal challenge from an 18-year-old fan who claims to be the rightful owner of a historic baseball. The prized item in question is the ball hit by Shohei Ohtani for his 50th home run of the season, a milestone that cemented his place in baseball history.
Max Matus, the young fan, alleges that the ball was forcibly taken from him by another spectator, Chris Belanski, in the stands at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida, on September 19. Matus’ lawsuit claims that Belanski and his associate, Kelvin Ramirez, plan to sell the ball, and he is seeking a temporary injunction to halt the auction.
On Thursday, a Florida judge ruled that the auction can proceed, but the ball cannot be sold until after a full evidentiary hearing scheduled for October 10. The judge’s decision ensures that the status quo is maintained, and the ball’s fate will be determined in court.
The auction house, Goldin, is moving forward with the sale, which is expected to attract significant attention from collectors and baseball enthusiasts. The opening bid is set at $500,000, and the auction is slated to conclude on October 16.
At the heart of the dispute is the question of ownership and the value of this unique piece of baseball history. Ohtani’s achievement is unprecedented, and the ball is seen as a rare and valuable artifact. The court’s decision will ultimately determine who has the right to claim ownership of this coveted item.
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