Japan's players union on Thursday called on Nippon Professional Baseball to select a new commissioner who can carry out reform following the revelation that this year's ball was secretly altered.
Toru Matsubara, the secretary general of the Japan Professional Baseball Players Association, submitted a document to both NPB and the third-party committee investigating the ball scandal suggesting commissioner Ryozo Kato resign and be replaced by someone who can demonstrate leadership.
The players, who are troubled by Kato's saying he didn't know the ball had been changed, want a system put in place that will establish responsibility for disclosing information. The union also wants real change to come from the recommendations of the third-party investigators.
"The main feeling is that the players want an organization led by a competent commissioner with vision," Matsubara said.