Eight professionals, including Seibu Lions star Daisuke Matsuzaka and Kintetsu Buffaloes slugger Norihiro Nakamura, have joined 16 top amateur players in Japan's baseball squad for the Sydney Olympics in September.
After the Yakult Swallows shut the door on catcher Atsuya Furuta last week, national team manager Kozo Otagaki made a last-minute addition of veteran pitcher Masanori Sugiura to round out the 24-man roster announced Monday by both pro and amateur officials.
"I'd like Mr. Sugiura to serve as captain of the team because he has a lot of experience as an Olympic competitor. I don't think we can hold a joint training session between pros and amateurs, but I'll try to make the best possible preparations for Sydney," Otagaki said.