Players from the Kintetsu Buffaloes voiced opposition on Sunday to a proposed merger with the Orix BlueWave.
First baseman Koichi Isobe, who is also the players' association president for Kintetsu, said players are in favor of keeping the team as it stands rather than allowing a merger that would likely change the name of the club to the Orix Buffaloes.
"If there's even a one percent chance of keeping the club, we'd like to move in this direction," said Isobe, suggesting the players would support the proposed purchase of the Kintetsu Buffaloes from Internet services company Livedoor Co.
"Even though someone has offered to purchase the team, I don't think it's good for pro baseball that the owner (Kintetsu Corp.) is unwilling to hold talks," said pitcher Tetsuro Kawajiri.