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BASEBALL / WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
Mar 18, 2013

Maeda relaxed as Japan prepares to face Puerto Rico

If Kenta Maeda gets the start for Japan against Puerto Rico on Sunday, he'll be pitching in the biggest game of his life.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
Mar 18, 2013

Scouts gather for precious look at global talent at WBC

With the World Baseball Classic acting as a showcase in front of major league scouts, Team Japan has obviously been one of the countries attracting attention from the men with stop watches and speed guns in the stands.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
Mar 12, 2013

Dutch shock Cuba to make WBC semifinals

The Netherlands' players began spilling out of the dugout after Xander Bogaerts' soft fly ball touched down in right field, and Andruw Jones rounded third representing the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning of what may have been the most important game in the history of baseball in the Netherlands....
Japan Times
BASEBALL / WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC
Mar 10, 2013

Cuba belts four homers, crushes Taiwan in mercy rule-shortened game

Facing elimination, mighty Cuba knocked balls out of the park almost as fast at it knocked Taiwan out of the World Baseball Classic.
BASEBALL / HIT AND RUN
Dec 11, 2012

Kuriyama's approach helped Fighters change Otani's mind

Hideki Kuriyama is a man who thought it was good luck that he happened to see a fox on his way home from Sapporo Dome after Game 3 of the Japan Series, although maybe it was, the Fighters won 1-0 on a sayonara single in Game 4.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / HIT AND RUN
Dec 4, 2012

NPB players should speak out about posting system

The Japan Professional Baseball Players Association showed rare backbone two years ago when, in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the players banded together and succeeded in getting the start of the season pushed back as the nation dealt with the disaster.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball / NPB NOTEBOOK
Nov 11, 2012

WBC squad may be hurting for top-line pitching

Japan manager Koji Yamamoto said his World Baseball Classic team would mirror previous Japan squads and be built around pitching and defense.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Oct 7, 2012

Gruff Ochiai needs to change if return is in cards

The Pacific League's Orix Buffaloes announced on Sept. 25 manager Akinobu Okada will not return to run the club next season, and speculation about his replacement indicates Japanese baseball Hall of Famer and former Chunichi Dragons skipper Hiromitsu Ochiai is one of the candidates who might be appointed...
Japan Times
LIFE / WEEK 3
Sep 16, 2012

'Cheating' robot poses tech and ethical issues

Like a child eagerly trying to win some trading cards during a playground huddle, I scrunch up my fingers behind my back before unleashing my hand in time-honored fashion with the Japanese phrase: "Saisho wa gu, janken ... pon!"
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Aug 26, 2012

Stalling tactics being abused in time-limit games

Japanese pro baseball has stayed with the three-and-a-half-hour game time limit rule in 2012 and, while this may be helping to save energy and shorten the length of games, there are signs teams are abusing the rule, playing for a tie rather than a win. This is disappointing.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Aug 20, 2012

Yokohama star Ramirez keeps family close to his heart

Alex Ramirez is dressed in his full uniform and standing a few feet in front of the Yokohama BayStars clubhouse, but baseball is the furthest thing from his mind right now.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Aug 5, 2012

MLB's trade deadline frenzy has yet to take hold among Japanese teams

One of the potential game-changers in Major League Baseball is the annual late-July trade activity of quality players from teams lower in the standings with little or no chance to make the postseason. Every year, these guys are dealt to playoff-contending clubs for young prospects, supposedly stars of...
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jul 29, 2012

No need for NPB to push back start times

As mentioned in this column last week, the July 25 Central League game between the Yomiuri Giants and Yokohama DeNA Baystars at Tokyo Dome had a starting time of 7 p.m., an hour later than usual for weekday night games in Japanese baseball. It was a "test" to see if fans would turn out for a game...
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jul 1, 2012

Poor record not stopping BayStars from aggressive marketing

A professional sports team has essentially two goals: Trying to win a championship and promoting the team to attract fans.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHO'S WHO
Jun 26, 2012

British drama coach Gavin Bantock at top of his game; casts take a bow

If drama were a sport, then the name Gavin Bantock would probably be known throughout Japan.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jun 25, 2012

Swallows' Barnette adapting to new role

In his two-plus seasons in Japan, Tony Barnette has gone from being a starter, to released, to re-signed, to a reliever, and finally a closer for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.
COMMENTARY / COUNTERPOINT
Jun 17, 2012

Might Japan's acquiescence to domestic violence be ending at last?

In November 1980, a murder in Kanagawa Prefecture just south of Tokyo stunned the nation. It involved a 20-year-old student who beat his parents to death with a metal baseball bat.
BASEBALL / HIT AND RUN
Jun 5, 2012

NPB may not have seen last no-no

Japanese baseball went five full seasons without a no-hitter until the Hiroshima Carp's Kenta Maeda threw one against the Yokohama BayStars April 6.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jun 3, 2012

Fighters pleased with choice of Kuriyama as manager

There are three men managing teams for the first time in Japanese baseball this season. Two Central League skippers have had problems getting their teams on track, but another has done an outstanding job keeping his club at or near the top of the Pacific League standings.
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Jun 1, 2012

Sugiuchi sacrifices glory for team

Just think about it. A 3-2 count, two outs in the ninth inning, and with a perfect game on the line — what would you do on your next pitch?
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 30, 2012

Seattle trainer Griffin impressed by Japanese players' work ethic

When you've been in the game a long time, you learn a thing or two.
BASEBALL / MLB
Mar 30, 2012

For Kawasaki, new challenge provides fun experience

Munenori Kawasaki had it all in Japan.

Longform

Growing families are being priced out of Tokyo’s condo market, forced to choose between downtown convenience and suburban space.
Is living in central Tokyo still affordable?