Nippon Professional Baseball Commissioner Ryozo Kato on Wednesday called on staffers to bring fresh ideas to the table to help galvanize Japanese pro baseball in 2011.
NPB incurred losses in the four years through September 2010. One major issue has been finding ways to secure financing as revenue continues to decline.
"I want to create an atmosphere where young people feel they can approach me with suggestions without hesitating," Kato said after the start of business operations the same day.
As this is not an Olympic or World Cup year, Kato is convinced Japanese pro baseball should be the driving force in sports in 2011.
"Some of the rookies are already drawing attention. It's necessary that Japanese pro baseball assume the sprinter's role from the start," he said.