The first Konami Cup Asia Series, held Nov. 10-13 at Tokyo Dome, gets high marks from this chair for its organization, execution and quality of play.

The four-team tournament featured the Japan Series champion Chiba Lotte Marines, Korea Baseball Organization champ Samsung Lions, Chinese Professional Baseball League (Chinese Taipei) victors Sinon Bulls and the national team from China, the China Stars.

There were three days of round-robin play followed by last Sunday's final in which the Marines, managed by Bobby Valentine, defeated the Lions, led by former Chunichi Dragons pitcher Sun Dong Yol, by the score of 5-3.