It was kind of a shocker to hear the news on Oct. 28 that the sale of the Yokohama BayStars franchise was not going through. The transfer of ownership had been anticipated for more than a month, and the talks between the potential buyer (JS Inc.) and the seller (TBS) appeared to be in the final stages.

Sports newspapers reported the negotiations broke down because the proposed new owner could not agree to the three conditions imposed by the current owner for the deal to be completed, and they had run out of time to prepare for the 2011 season.

The three conditions listed were: 1) The franchise would remain in Yokohama. 2) The team nickname, BayStars, would be retained. 3) Manager Takao Obana, having just concluded the first season of a three-year contract, would be kept on.