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 Jason Coskrey

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Jason Coskrey
Jason Coskrey is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His primary focus is Japanese baseball, but he has also covered soccer, American football, boxing and basketball. He previously worked for the Marietta Daily Journal in Marietta, Ga. A native of Detroit, he is a graduate of the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
BASEBALL
Mar 10, 2017
Japan cruises past China, ends first round with perfect record
Japan was already in the second round before facing China on Friday night. There was just a little unfinished business to take care of before moving on to the next round.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 10, 2017
Despaigne's grand slam sends Cuba to second round of WBC
Alfredo Despaigne knew it as soon as he hit it, all the Cubans did. That ball was gone, headed for the furthest reaches of Tokyo Dome. Despaigne watched the ball fly while taking a few steps up the first base line with his index finger pointing toward the Cuban bench. When he turned to see his teammates...
BASEBALL
Mar 9, 2017
Sluggers ignite Australia in rout of China
Australia manager John Deeble laid out a simple game plan for his team after its loss to Japan on Wednesday.
BASEBALL
Mar 9, 2017
Senga impresses in WBC debut
Just when Australia thought it was safe to get back in the batter's box, with Japan ace Tomoyuki Sugano on the bench and out of pitches, it ran into the buzz saw that is Kodai Senga.
BASEBALL
Mar 9, 2017
Japan beats Australia for second straight win at World Baseball Classic
The big home run that turned the tide in Japan's favor against Australia came when manager Hiroki Kokubo wasn't looking.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 8, 2017
Hall of Fame boss Idelson deepening understanding of Japan baseball
Jeff Idelson, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, has spoken to groups of kids before.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 8, 2017
Cuba shrugs off fatigue to beat China at WBC
An early wakeup call couldn't knock Cuba off its game and neither could China.
BASEBALL
Mar 8, 2017
China aims for incremental improvements on global baseball stage
China manager John McLaren starts each day by having his players remember their team motto: "Get better every day." He'll then pick out a player, who will then belt out a tune of his choice for the room, "they're lacking there a little bit," McLaren said with a grin.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 8, 2017
Matsuda, Tsutsugo carry Japan past Cuba in WBC opener
The fans waited as Nobuhiro Matsuda rounded the bases and exchanged high-fives with his teammates. They knew what was coming, and when Matsuda pumped his fist and let out a guttural yell, as is his custom after home runs, the Japanese fans packed in Tokyo Dome exploded with enough force to knock the...
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 7, 2017
MLB players for 2020 Games unlikely
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said the league remains committed to the World Baseball Classic, and later watched Houston Astros outfielder Norichika Aoki compete for Samurai Japan.
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Mar 7, 2017
Versatile Meng does it all for China
Meng Weiqiang may patrol left field at some point for China during the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He's also going to pitch and might even strap on a catcher's mask. There's a chance he'll do at least two of those things, maybe even all three, during the same game.
BASEBALL
Mar 6, 2017
Japan ready to begin quest for WBC title
For Japan, the preparation has finally come to an end.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / HIT AND RUN
Feb 27, 2017
Fujinami hoping to see hard work pay off in new season
Shintaro Fujinami is no old dog, but the 22-year-old Hanshin Tigers pitcher may have some new tricks.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Feb 9, 2017
Rosters finalized for upcoming World Baseball Classic
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks are set to be the most well-represented NPB team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic after the final rosters for the tournament were revealed Wednesday in the United States.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / HIT AND RUN
Feb 6, 2017
Sugano set to step into spotlight at World Baseball Classic
The wider baseball world is about to meet Tomoyuki Sugano.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / HIT AND RUN
Feb 2, 2017
Otani better off skipping World Baseball Classic than risking injury
There is no reason for Shohei Otani to participate in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / HIT AND RUN
Jan 30, 2017
Samurai Japan's stars have to come to grips with WBC ball
Throwing a baseball isn't rocket science. Unless, apparently, that ball is the official baseball of the World Baseball Classic and is being thrown by a member of Samurai Japan.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Jan 29, 2017
WBC duty means quick turnaround for foreign stars
Now that spring camps are only a few days away for NPB teams — some players are already working out "independently" together — the foreign contingent has begun trickling into the country. It was mostly the first-year foreign players the past couple of weeks, but now the veterans have started showing...
Japan Times
BASEBALL
Jan 24, 2017
Japan fills out team for World Baseball Classic
Samurai Japan mostly filled out its roster for the 2017 World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, adding eight players, but no major leaguers, to the 19 names released in December.
MORE SPORTS
Jan 17, 2017
World No. 5 Spieth visits Tokyo to promote new signature golf shoes
Jordan Spieth is a better golfer than teacher.

Longform

Members of the nonprofit group Japan Youth Memorial Association search for the remains of dead soldiers in a cave in Okinawa Prefecture in February.
The long search for Japan’s lost soldiers