Pro Yakyu Game of the Week: 8/15
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Re: Pro Yakyu Game of the Week: 8/15
[ Author: westbaystars | Posted: Aug 15, 2004 10:35 PM
| YBS Fan
]
A great game this evening. Close, see-saw, edge of the seat thriller. Read on for the transcript.
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/08/15 22:25
CHATROOM Game of the Week/Yokohama BayStars vs. Yomiuri Giants
MODERATORS westbaystars
17:59 westbaystars: ---
17:59 westbaystars: Top of First
17:59 westbaystars: ---
17:59 westbaystars: Satoh will start the game for the Giants, Cendric for Yokohama.
18:00 westbaystars: Satoh's first pitch to Yokohama's lead-off man Ishii Takuro is called strike one.
18:00 westbaystars: And the game is underway, just at 6:00.
18:01 westbaystars: Satoh gets Ishii swinging at a good pitch on the outside part of the plate.
18:02 westbaystars: Kinjyoh follows lining out to center on the first pitch. Two outs.
18:02 westbaystars: That brings up Saeki.
18:03 westbaystars: Saeki grounds the ball right to Petagine at first.
18:03 westbaystars: Peta-chan takes the ball to the bag himself, and the 'Stars are retired in order.
18:03 westbaystars: ---
18:03 westbaystars: Bottom of First
18:03 westbaystars: ---
18:05 westbaystars: The first batter that Cetric faces is Nishi.
18:06 westbaystars: Cedrick, that is.
18:06 westbaystars: And Nishi flies out to Kinjyoh in right for the first out of the Giants' half of the inning.
18:06 westbaystars: That brings up Shimizu.
18:08 westbaystars: After two quick strikes, Cedrick misses with three straight. Full count.
18:08 westbaystars: The pay-off pitch is fouled off to the left side. Still full count.
18:08 westbaystars: Shimizu bounces the next pitch high into the air off of home plate.
18:09 westbaystars: By the time the ball comes back down, Cedrick fields it, fires to first, too late!
18:09 westbaystars: Shimizu is safe with an infield base hit.
18:09 westbaystars: That brings up Rhodes.
18:10 westbaystars: Rhodes doesn't have a home run in the last five games.
18:10 westbaystars: Rhodes lines the ball to the right field fense on one bounce.
18:11 westbaystars: Shinjyoh plays the ball off the wall, but by the time the ball gets back to the infield,
18:11 westbaystars: Rhodes is standing on second, Shimizu on third.
18:11 westbaystars: One out, runners at second and third, Kokubo at the plate.
18:13 westbaystars: Kokubo grounds the ball to second.
18:13 westbaystars: The 'Stars allow the run, the throw is to first.
18:13 westbaystars: Rhodes goes to third on the play.
18:13 westbaystars: That brings up Petagine with a 1-0 lead, a runner on third, and two outs.
18:16 westbaystars: Peta-chan works the count full.
18:17 westbaystars: Petagine pulls the ball up the first base line. But right to Woods behind the bag.
18:18 westbaystars: Woods out runs Petagine to the bag, and the side is retired.
18:18 westbaystars: But not before the Giants took a 1-0 lead on Kokubo's RBI ground out.
18:18 westbaystars: ----
18:18 westbaystars: Top of Second
18:18 westbaystars: ---
18:19 westbaystars: Number four batting Woods leads off the second inning.
18:20 westbaystars: Woods is currently ranked third in home runs behind Rhodes and Kokubo.
18:20 westbaystars: Here he grounds out to short, but gets up the line faster than usual.
18:21 westbaystars: Inspired by watching the Koshien tourney going on?
18:21 westbaystars: Those kids put in their all.
18:21 westbaystars: Tamura comes up next.
18:22 westbaystars: And he watches strike three go by down the middle on a 2-2 pitch.
18:22 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
18:22 westbaystars: That brings up Taneda.
18:23 westbaystars: Taneda hits a line drive to left, just bouncing in front of Shimizu.
18:23 westbaystars: Two out base hit.
18:23 westbaystars: Uchikawa follows.
18:24 westbaystars: I hadn't seen Uchikawa in the lineup for a while.
18:25 westbaystars: Taneda has made a number of fine plays at second this past week.
18:25 westbaystars: That may put some pressure on Uchikawa at second tonight.
18:26 westbaystars: Uchikawa lifts the ball high behind the second base bag, into center field.
18:26 westbaystars: Rhodes runs in, but it's Nioka who makes the catch.
18:26 westbaystars: That retires the side.
18:26 westbaystars: After one and a half, Yokohama trails 0-1.
18:26 westbaystars: ---
18:26 westbaystars: Bottom of Second
18:26 westbaystars: ---
18:28 westbaystars: Nioka leads off the Giants' half of the second.
18:29 westbaystars: And he works Cedrick to a full count.
18:30 westbaystars: Then Cedrick gets Nioka swinging at a pitch way up high on the outside part of the plate.
18:30 westbaystars: Abe follows.
18:31 westbaystars: And he works the count full as well.
18:31 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is lined into center field, base hit!
18:32 westbaystars: The Giants get a runner on with one out for the second inning in a row.
18:32 westbaystars: That brings up substitute right fielder Horita, in for Takahashi Yoshinobu in Athens.
18:34 westbaystars: Horita lines the ball up the left field line and into the corner.
18:35 westbaystars: By the time the ball comes back, he's standing on second, Nioka on third.
18:35 westbaystars: This is just what happened in the first inning: one out hit followed by a double.
18:36 westbaystars: The BayStars aren't going to allow another run on a ball hit to the infield as the infield comes in.
18:36 westbaystars: Facing opposing pitcher Satoh, who may try a squeeze, may have something to do with it, too.
18:36 westbaystars: Satoh isn't looking to bunt, though, and is behind in the count two strikes, one ball.
18:37 westbaystars: Satoh fouls a couple good pitches off, swinging late but making contact.
18:38 westbaystars: The changeup low is swung on and missed, strike three.
18:38 westbaystars: That makes it two outs, runners still at second and third.
18:38 westbaystars: Nishi comes up to the plate.
18:39 westbaystars: The infield goes back to playing at their normal deptch.
18:40 westbaystars: But Cedrick can't find the strike zone, and throws three straight balls, the last one blocked well by Tsuruoka.
18:40 westbaystars: The next pitch is outside and low, ball four on as many pitches.
18:40 westbaystars: That loads the bases for Shimizu, who got the first inning rally going.
18:41 westbaystars: Cedrick misses low and away, ball one.
18:41 westbaystars: Next pitch is in the same place, blal two.
18:42 westbaystars: Sweat is dripping off the brim of Cedrick's cap.
18:42 westbaystars: Shimizu lifts the ball high and deep to center.
18:42 westbaystars: But not deep enough.
18:42 westbaystars: Tamura has it in his sights and takes the ball in four out number three.
18:43 westbaystars: The Giants threatened in the second, but came up empty.
18:43 westbaystars: At the end of two complete, the Giants continue to hold onto a 1-0 lead.
18:43 westbaystars: ---
18:43 westbaystars: Top of Third
18:43 westbaystars: ---
18:45 westbaystars: Tsuruoka, recently called up to catch, leads off the third with a double to left.
18:47 westbaystars: Cedrick bunts the ball to the right side, right between Satoh and Petagine!
18:47 westbaystars: By the time Nishi fields the ball, Cedrick is safe at first with an infield hit!
18:47 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and third with nobody out.
18:48 westbaystars: And the top of Yokohama's order in Ishii at the plate.
18:48 westbaystars: The Giants are going after the double play, it looks like, as the middle infielders aren't coming too far in.
18:49 westbaystars: Ishii lifts the ball to the left side of the infield, though.
18:49 westbaystars: Nioka calls it, makes the catch, and we have one out.
18:49 westbaystars: That brings up Kinjyoh.
18:52 westbaystars: Kinjyoh hits a low line drive, bouncing once, right at Nioka.
18:52 westbaystars: Nioka tosses the ball to Nishi for one, the relay to first is well in time, double play.
18:52 westbaystars: The Giants get out of the inning without harm.
18:52 westbaystars: ---
18:52 westbaystars: Bottom of Third
18:53 westbaystars: ---
18:54 westbaystars: Rhodes leads off the second half of the third for the Giants.
18:55 westbaystars: My daughter just pointed out that baseball is on another channel. It's the Japan Olympic squad.
18:55 westbaystars: They currently lead 7-0 over Itally.
18:55 westbaystars: Rhodes give the ball a ride just right of center.
18:56 westbaystars: But not deep enough.
18:56 westbaystars: It looked like his home run swing, but Tamura has it a couple meters in front of the warning track.
18:56 westbaystars: One out.
18:56 westbaystars: That brings up Kokubo.
18:56 westbaystars: Kokubo grounds the ball to the left side.
18:57 westbaystars: Taneda cuts the ball off in front of Ishii, fires to first, and we have two quick outs.
18:57 westbaystars: Petagine follows.
18:58 westbaystars: Peta-chan lifts the ball to center, but not too deep.
18:58 westbaystars: Tamura has this, and the Giants are retired in order for the first time this evening.
18:58 westbaystars: *** Fujimoto just hit a double up the right field line in Athens.
18:59 westbaystars: *** They're in the top of the sixth.
18:59 westbaystars: *** Fukudome is up. He hit a home run his last at bat.
19:00 westbaystars: ---
19:00 westbaystars: Top of Fourth
19:00 westbaystars: ----
19:00 westbaystars: Saeki leads off the fourth inning.
19:01 westbaystars: Saeki drives the ball deep to right.
19:01 westbaystars: Horita takes a few steps toward center, looks up, and that ball is gone!
19:01 westbaystars: Deep into the orange oen-dan in right.
19:02 westbaystars: We have a tied ball game.
19:02 westbaystars: 1-1.
19:02 westbaystars: That brings up Woods.
19:02 westbaystars: *** Fukuoka doubled in a run.
19:03 westbaystars: *** Miyamoto (Yakult) singed in Fukudome.
19:03 westbaystars: *** Japan leads 9-0.
19:03 westbaystars: Woods watches strike three on the outside corner.
19:03 westbaystars: One out.
19:04 westbaystars: *** Nakahata was out talking with the umpire. Don't know what for.
19:04 westbaystars: *** Takahashi (Giants) coming up.
19:04 westbaystars: Tamura steps in.
19:05 westbaystars: He's got 29 home runs at this point, approaching 30 for the first Japanese BayStar in many years to reach that platue.
19:05 westbaystars: But he strikes out here.
19:06 westbaystars: And Taneda flies out to Rhodes in left-center on the first pitch to retire the side.
19:06 westbaystars: But we had a lead-off home run by Saeki to tie the game at 1-1.
19:06 westbaystars: ---
19:06 westbaystars: Bottom of Fourth
19:06 westbaystars: ---
19:07 westbaystars: *** Runners now at first and third, nobody out, Johjima (Daiei) at the plate.
19:07 westbaystars: *** With the count full, Johjima pops out to the third baseman, who runs into the catcher but holds onto the ball.
19:08 westbaystars: Nioka leads off the Giants' half of the fourth.
19:08 westbaystars: *** Nakamura (Kintetsu) follows.
19:08 westbaystars: Nioka grounds the ball to Taneda at third. The throw to first is in time, one out.
19:09 westbaystars: Abe follows.
19:09 westbaystars: Abe grounds the ball to the right side.
19:10 westbaystars: Uchikawa fields the ball deep in the hole close to the line.
19:10 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time, two outs.
19:10 westbaystars: *** I think Nakamura grounded out, scoring the runner from third.
19:10 westbaystars: *** Japan now leads 10-0.
19:10 westbaystars: Horita up to bat.
19:12 westbaystars: *** Ogasawara (Nippon Ham) at the plate.
19:12 westbaystars: With the count full, Cedrick misses, walking Horita.
19:12 westbaystars: That brings up opposing pitcher Satoh.
19:13 westbaystars: Cedrick strike him out to end the inning.
19:13 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, we have a 1-1 tie.
19:14 westbaystars: ---
19:14 westbaystars: Top of Fifth
19:14 westbaystars: ---
19:14 westbaystars: *** Ogasawara grounds the ball up the middle, base hit.
19:14 westbaystars: Takahashi, on the move with the count full and two outs, scores.
19:15 westbaystars: *** Japan up 11-0.
19:16 westbaystars: Uchikawa leads off the fifth for the BayStars.
19:17 westbaystars: Uchikawa grounds the ball right to Nishi at second. One out.
19:17 westbaystars: Tsuruoka follows.
19:18 westbaystars: I saw Tsuruoka a couple days ago when the SeaRex took on Nissan.
19:18 westbaystars: He was impressive, and the announcers spoke very highly of him.
19:19 westbaystars: Nakamura was catching last week, but appeared to pull something a couple of days ago.
19:20 westbaystars: The catching position hasn't been very stable for Yokohama since they lost Tanishige.
19:20 westbaystars: Tsuruoka grounds the ball up the middle.
19:20 westbaystars: Nishi fields it in front of second base, turns, fires, and just gets him by a step.
19:20 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:21 westbaystars: Cedrick bats for himself.
19:22 westbaystars: He grounds the ball to the right side. The ball is fielded by Petagine, and with Cedrick stopping half way up the line,
19:22 westbaystars: ... Peta-chan takes the ball to the bag himself.
19:22 westbaystars: The 'Stars are down in order in the fifth.
19:22 westbaystars: ---
19:22 westbaystars: Bottom of Fifth
19:23 westbaystars: ---
19:25 westbaystars: Top of the order in Nishi leads off.
19:26 westbaystars: *** Italy has loaded the bases with two outs.
19:26 westbaystars: Nishi walks to put the lead-off runner on base.
19:26 westbaystars: That brings up Shimizu.
19:27 westbaystars: *** But Italy fails to score, the final batter grounding out to second.
19:27 westbaystars: *** At the end of six, Japan leads 11-0.
19:27 westbaystars: Shimizu lifts the ball to left, but too high.
19:28 westbaystars: Saeki has plenty of time to get over and make the catch.
19:28 westbaystars: One out.
19:28 westbaystars: That brings up Rhodes.
19:29 westbaystars: Rhodes hit a double his first at bat.
19:29 westbaystars: Rhodes lifts the ball deep to center.
19:29 westbaystars: Tamura goes back, at the warning track,
19:30 westbaystars: looks up, haitta!
19:30 westbaystars: Bit two run home run to take the lead back 3-1.
19:31 westbaystars: Kokubo follows.
19:32 westbaystars: The two RBI's put Rhodes over Kanemoto for the league lead.
19:33 westbaystars: Kokubo got out.
19:33 westbaystars: Petagine fouled out to the corner in left.
19:33 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:33 westbaystars: But not before Rhodes hit a big lead-taking two-run home run.
19:33 westbaystars: At the end of five complete, the Giants lead 3-1.
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:33 westbaystars: Top of Sixth
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:34 westbaystars: *** Miyamoto grounds into a double play, scoring the runner from third.
19:34 westbaystars: *** Japan leads 12-0.
19:36 westbaystars: The BayStars will see the top of their order this inning, Ishii leading off.
19:37 westbaystars: *** Yakult leads Chunishi 5-0. But lost a similar lead last night in the last two innings.
19:37 westbaystars: Ishii is hit on the arm and takes first base.
19:38 westbaystars: That brings up Kinjyoh.
19:41 westbaystars: Kinjyoh strikes out reaching for a pitch high and away, one out.
19:41 westbaystars: Saeki, who tied the game up with a home run his last at bats, steps in.
19:43 westbaystars: Satoh isn't intimidated and gets Saeki on three pitches, the final one low and away that Saeki couldn't hold up on.
19:43 westbaystars: That brings up T. Woods.
19:45 westbaystars: It appears that Yakult's Iwamura hit his 33rd home run of the season this evening, dropping Woods to #4 with 32.
19:45 westbaystars: Woods works the count full.
19:46 westbaystars: Woods swing, if it's fair, it's gone!
19:46 westbaystars: And it is!
19:46 westbaystars: We have a tie ball game again!
19:47 westbaystars: Woods got all of that ball, pulling it into the Yokohama oen-dan in left.
19:48 westbaystars: Tamura, striking out twice so far, come up.
19:48 westbaystars: And the first pitch is hit back up the middle, just left of center.
19:48 westbaystars: Rhodes takes a couple of steps, looks, haittaaaaaaa!
19:48 westbaystars: Yokohama just takes a 4-1 lead!
19:49 westbaystars: On the Giants' MO.
19:49 westbaystars: Satoh slowly walks to the first base dugout as he's done for the night.
19:49 westbaystars: Satoh looks as though he can't believe what's going on.
19:49 westbaystars: While Tamura is all smiles in the opposite dugout.
19:52 westbaystars: Satoh is relieved after thowing 90 pitches.
19:53 westbaystars: Nakamura comes on in relief.
19:53 westbaystars: Taneda will be the first batter he faces.
19:54 westbaystars: Taneda goes down swinging, and the side is retired.
19:55 westbaystars: But not before a pair of home runs puts the BayStars on top 4-3.
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:55 westbaystars: Bottom of Sixth
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:57 westbaystars: Kizuka comes in to pitch for Yokohama.
19:58 westbaystars: Cedrick was approaching 100 pitches last inning, if he didn't suprass it, so that's probably for the best.
19:58 westbaystars: Nioka leads off the Giants' half of the sixth.
19:59 westbaystars: Nioka lines the ball up the left field line, just inside third base.
19:59 westbaystars: As the ball goes into the left field corner, Nioka rounds first and heads into second with a stand-up double.
19:59 westbaystars: Abe stands in next.
20:01 westbaystars: Kizuka misses with his first three pitches to Abe.
20:01 westbaystars: Abe is swinging with no strikes, though, fouling the ball off.
20:03 westbaystars: Abe lifts a full count pitch up behind second base.
20:03 westbaystars: Ishii is over, and makes the catch for the first out.
20:03 westbaystars: That brings up Horita.
20:04 westbaystars: Etoh has grabbed a bat and is swinging it in the on-deck circle.
20:04 westbaystars: Horita is 4 for 10 (.400) with 2 RBIs so far this season.
20:04 westbaystars: All four hits are for extra bases.
20:06 westbaystars: Horita punches the ball over the infield and into right field.
20:06 westbaystars: the throw back holds Nioka at third.
20:06 westbaystars: The Giants now have runners at the corners with one out.
20:07 westbaystars: Etoh is coming up to pinch hit for the pitcher.
20:07 westbaystars: And Yokohama's pitching coach comes out to talk strategy.
20:08 westbaystars: Etoh takes ball one, just missing inside.
20:09 westbaystars: Although the pitch looked pretty good to me.
20:09 westbaystars: The next pitch catches the outside corner, 1-1.
20:10 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded to third.
20:10 westbaystars: Nioka is way off the bag, and caught between third and home.
20:10 westbaystars: The pickle play gets him.
20:11 westbaystars: I expected Etoh to be at second by then, but he held at first.
20:11 westbaystars: Back to the top of the order in Nishi.
20:11 westbaystars: Now with two outs and runners at the corners.
20:14 westbaystars: With the runners moving, Nishi lines the ball the other other way up the first base line.
20:15 westbaystars: But Woods is right there to grab the liner, retiring the side.
20:15 westbaystars: The Giants threatened, but came up empty.
20:15 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, Yokohama has a 4-3 lead.
20:18 westbaystars: ---
20:18 westbaystars: Top of Seventh
20:18 westbaystars: ---
20:19 westbaystars: Sikorski comes in to pitch for the Giants.
20:19 westbaystars: Uchikawa welcomes him with a base hit through the right side of the infield.
20:19 westbaystars: Tsuruoka follows.
20:19 westbaystars: He's looking to bunt.
20:20 westbaystars: But before he gets a pitch, Sikorski throws over to first a couple of times.
20:21 westbaystars: Tsuruoka's first bunt attempt is popped up foul, but to far away for Abe to even try.
20:21 westbaystars: The next pitch is bunted beautifully up the first base line.
20:21 westbaystars: The only play is to first, and the sacrifice is a success.
20:21 westbaystars: I wasn't sure after that first attempt.
20:22 westbaystars: Murata comes in to pinch hit for Kizuka.
20:22 westbaystars: Murata is hit on the shoulder on Sikorki's first pitch.
20:22 westbaystars: He shakes it off and heads up the line.
20:23 westbaystars: That pits runners at first and second with one out and Ishii coming to the plate.
20:24 westbaystars: Ishii grounds the ball up the middle, but with Nioka playing even with the bag, he's got it, tosses to Nishi,
20:24 westbaystars: ... and the relay to first is in time, double play.
20:24 westbaystars: Yokohama had a couple of base runners, but nothing to show for it.
20:24 westbaystars: ---
20:24 westbaystars: Bottom of Seventh
20:24 westbaystars: ---
20:27 westbaystars: Shimizu leads off against new pitcher Kawamura.
20:27 westbaystars: Kawamura is the third BayStars pitcher of the evening.
20:28 westbaystars: Shimizu pulls the ball to Uchikawa at second.
20:28 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time, one out.
20:29 westbaystars: That brings up Rhodes who hit his 38th home run of the season his last at bat.
20:30 westbaystars: Ishii moves up just left of the second base bag as par to the "Rhodes Shift."
20:32 westbaystars: After getting two quick strikes on him, Rhodes eventually worked a walk for a one out base runner.
20:32 westbaystars: That brings up Kokubo.
20:33 westbaystars: Kokubo grounds the ball back to Kawamura.
20:33 westbaystars: Kawamura turns, fires a strike to second,
20:33 westbaystars: the relay by Uchikawa is wide of first, and goes through!
20:34 westbaystars: Tsuzukawa, backing up the play, can't get Kokubo at second.
20:34 westbaystars: The inning ending double play is killed.
20:35 westbaystars: Petagine comes up with two outs and a runner at second instead.
20:35 westbaystars: Tsuzuoka is setting up way outside, and it looks like they're not going to challenge Peta-chan.
20:36 westbaystars: After three pitches way outside, Tsuzuoka stands up and Peta gets an intensional pass.
20:36 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second, two outs, and Nioka at the plate.
20:37 westbaystars: Nioka it a double his last at bat.
20:38 westbaystars: Kawamura gets two quick strikes on Nioka, then wastes a pitch low and away.
20:38 westbaystars: Nioka wasn't fishing.
20:38 westbaystars: The fourth pitch *just* misses outside.
20:39 westbaystars: Kawamura thought he had it.
20:39 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch is watched for strike three.
20:39 westbaystars: No doubt about that one being a strike.
20:39 westbaystars: The Giants had a chance with the big error, but failed to get it to pay off.
20:40 westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, Yokohama continues to hold a 4-3 lead.
20:40 westbaystars: ---
20:40 westbaystars: Top of Eighth
20:40 westbaystars: ---
20:42 westbaystars: *** Chunichi scores 5 in the seventh to tie Yakult.
20:42 westbaystars: Kinjyoh leads off the eighth for Yokohama.
20:42 westbaystars: Okajima takes over on the mound for the Giants.
20:43 westbaystars: Kinjyoh is hitless in three at bats so far this evening.
20:44 westbaystars: Kinjyoh goes the other way with the ball, slapping it to right field for a base hit.
20:44 westbaystars: The lead-off man is aboard.
20:45 westbaystars: Saeki, who tied the game temporarily earlier with a home run, stands in.
20:45 westbaystars: He squares, and takes strike one.
20:45 westbaystars: I don't think he's really bunting.
20:45 westbaystars: Saeki is batting.382 against the Giants this season.
20:46 westbaystars: .429 in the last five games.
20:47 westbaystars: Okajima throws over to first a few times after getting the count to 1-1.
20:48 westbaystars: After throwing ball two, Okajima again throws over to first.
20:48 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded through the right side of the infield and into right.
20:49 westbaystars: Kinjyoh holds at second as the ball is fielded quickly in right.
20:49 westbaystars: Runners at first and second, nobody out, and Woods at the plate.
20:49 westbaystars: Woods tied the game up 3-3 at one point with a big two-run home run.
20:50 westbaystars: Woods lifts the ball to right, but he got under the ball too much.
20:51 westbaystars: Horita fields the ball, Kinjyoh tags up at second, and takes third while the relay is cut off.
20:51 westbaystars: Batters at first and third, one out, lead-taking home run hitter Tamura at the plate.
20:54 westbaystars: A curve ball in the dirt outside is swung on and missed for strike three.
20:54 westbaystars: Taneda inhierits the runners at first and third, but with two down.
20:55 westbaystars: Taneda grounds the ball to Kokubo at third.
20:55 westbaystars: Kokubo throws to first and gets Taneda by a couple of steps.
20:55 westbaystars: Three down.
20:55 westbaystars: The BayStars threatened, but came up empty.
20:55 westbaystars: Still, they continue to lead 4-3.
20:55 westbaystars: ---
20:55 westbaystars: Bottom of Eighth
20:55 westbaystars: ---
20:58 westbaystars: In to pitch for Yokohama is Yamada.
20:58 westbaystars: The first batter he'll face this inning is Abe.
20:58 westbaystars: *** Yakult scores one in the bottom of the seventh to regain the lead 6-5.
21:00 westbaystars: Abe works the count full.
21:00 westbaystars: Then lifts the ball to left. But pretty much right to Saeki.
21:01 westbaystars: Saeki makes the catch for the first out of the inning.
21:01 westbaystars: That brings up Horita.
21:03 westbaystars: Horita lifts the ball deep to the left-center gap.
21:03 westbaystars: Tamura and Saeki race over.
21:03 westbaystars: Tamura makes the back handed grab at the warning track.
21:03 westbaystars: A long out number two.
21:04 westbaystars: Kawanaka comes up as a pinch hitter for Okajima.
21:05 habs: morning
21:05 westbaystars: Hi, Habs-san. Got an exciting game again tonight.
21:05 westbaystars: Kawanaka grounds the ball back to Yamada.
21:05 westbaystars: Yamada throws to first, and the Giants go down in order.
21:06 westbaystars: At the end of eight complete, Yokohama continues to hold onto their 4-3 lead.
21:06 westbaystars: ---
21:06 westbaystars: Top of Nineth
21:06 westbaystars: ---
21:06 westbaystars: Recap:
21:06 westbaystars: The Giants scores first on a ground on RBI.
21:07 westbaystars: Yokohama tied it on Saeki's solo home run to right.
21:07 westbaystars: The Giants retook the lead on Rhodes' two run home run to center.
21:07 westbaystars: Yokohama tied it back up on Woods' two-run home run to left.
21:07 westbaystars: Tamura followed Rhodes with a home run to left-center.
21:08 westbaystars: That made the game the current 4-3 in favor of Yokohama.
21:08 habs: Alot of home runs
21:08 westbaystars: Both teams have threatened, but couldn't managed that one last hit.
21:09 westbaystars: Uchikawa leads off against new pitcher Kubo.
21:09 westbaystars: Kadokura is warming up in teh BayStars' bullpen.
21:09 westbaystars: Uchikawa lifts the ball to left field.
21:09 habs: Let's hope Yokohama can hold on.
21:10 westbaystars: Nioka has a longer run than Shimizu, but makes the catch running toward the line, just in fair territory in left.
21:10 westbaystars: One out.
21:10 westbaystars: Usually it's the Giants who are hitting the ball out left and right.
21:10 westbaystars: Yokohama's beating them at their own game.
21:11 westbaystars: Tsuruoka goes down swinging at a pitch way outside.
21:11 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
21:11 westbaystars: Furuki comes on to pinch hit for pitcher Kawamura.
21:11 westbaystars: He lines the first pitch through the hole on the right side and into right field.
21:12 westbaystars: Two out base runner is aboard.
21:12 westbaystars: Back to the top of the order in Ishii.
21:12 westbaystars: Nonaka comes in to run for Furuki at first.
21:13 westbaystars: Nonaka is 1 for 1 in the stolen base department.
21:13 westbaystars: Kubo is conerned about him and throws a couple pitches over to first.
21:15 westbaystars: With two strikes on Ishii, the throw to first gets Nonaka!
21:15 westbaystars: Three outs.
21:16 westbaystars: Nonaka was leaning the wrong way.
21:16 westbaystars: Going to the last half of the nineth, Yokohama holds on to a one run lead.
21:16 westbaystars: ---
21:16 westbaystars: Bottom of Nineth
21:16 westbaystars: ---
21:17 habs: Thought there was going to be alot of people on to talk about Wantabe.
21:18 westbaystars: I kind of expected that, too.
21:18 westbaystars: Guess Whiting-san's comment pretty much cleared everything up.
21:19 westbaystars: Kadokura, taking over as Yokohama's closer for the "vacationing" Sasaki, comes in to pitch.
21:19 westbaystars: He's wearing Sasaki's spikes, a present from him.
21:19 westbaystars: Kadokura's first pitch to Nishi is lifted to right field.
21:20 westbaystars: Kinjyoh comes over and, in the little bit of foul territory in the right field corner, makes the catch.
21:20 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
21:20 westbaystars: That brings up Shimizu.
21:20 westbaystars: Shimizu lines the ball to right.
21:20 westbaystars: Kinjyoh runs, dives,
21:20 westbaystars: makes the catch!
21:21 westbaystars: Just in front of the warning track in right.
21:21 westbaystars: Super play!
21:21 westbaystars: That gives Kadokura two outs on three pitches, thanks to Kinjyoh.
21:22 westbaystars: Rhodes, who had a bit home run earlier to put the Giants up 3-1 at the time stands in.
21:22 westbaystars: And he pulls the first pitch to Woods at first.
21:22 westbaystars: Woods tosses the ball to Kadokura.
21:22 westbaystars: And the ball game is over!
21:22 westbaystars: Kadokura closed the game on four pitches.
21:23 westbaystars: Cedrick gives a big guts' pose outside the third base dugout as he gets the win.
21:23 habs: One quick inning.
21:23 westbaystars: Tamura is being interviews for being the hero, hitting the game winning home run.
21:23 westbaystars: Furthermore, he's the first Japanese player in 23 years for Yokohama to hit 30 home runs in a season.
21:24 habs: Cedrick took over for Walker?
21:24 westbaystars: Yes.
21:24 westbaystars: Cedrick has generally been good for about five inning.
21:24 westbaystars: I think that's how many he threw tonight.
21:25 westbaystars: With a different pitcher for each of the remaining four.
21:25 westbaystars: That pattern looks like it might work.
21:26 habs: Is there anyone else on Yokahama close to 30 home runs?
21:27 westbaystars: Woods hit his 33rd this evening.
21:29 westbaystars: Next is Saeki and Uchikawa at 14 (Sekeki hitting his 14th this evening).
21:29 westbaystars: Until this year, Yokohama has *not* been a home run hitting team.
21:31 westbaystars: Still, they're nowhere near the Giants' 206 in 103 games (before this game).
21:31 westbaystars: That's a new team record.
21:32 westbaystars: 54 of those were hit against Yokohama.
21:32 westbaystars: So hitting more home runs hasn't had much effect on winning for the 'Stars this year.
21:32 westbaystars: Except tonight.
21:33 habs: Home runs can change the game.
21:34 westbaystars: * Actually, this is yesterday's paper I'm looking at. So those are stats as of end of play on the 13th.
21:35 habs: Well are you read y for my question on the Wantabe situation.
21:35 westbaystars: Sure, fire away.
21:36 westbaystars: =======
21:36 westbaystars: =======
21:37 habs: What is going to happen to the young man who excepted the money? Is he consider dirty laundry?
21:37 westbaystars: The other teams are already looking to sign him.
21:37 westbaystars: He's not allowed to play for the university any more.
21:37 westbaystars: But that's not going to stop any team from signing him.
21:38 westbaystars: He'll just have to find a way to keep in shape between now and next spring.
21:39 westbaystars: I don't think that he's banned from practicing with the team, just from league games.
21:39 habs: Can he be signed now or does he have to wait to be drafted?
21:39 westbaystars: He still has to wait for the draft.
21:40 westbaystars: There used to be a way for teams to sign Japanese players outside the draft during the season,
21:40 westbaystars: ... but that loop hole in the rules appears to have been plugged.
21:40 westbaystars: I regret that this is just observation. I don't have any concrete details on it.
21:41 westbaystars: Just an observation of the elimination of outside-the-draft signings.
21:42 westbaystars: The Seibu Group used to get a number of players from their Prince Hotel amateur team this way.
21:42 westbaystars: The Prince Hotel chain is part of the Seibu Group.
21:43 westbaystars: And the Prince Hotel amatuer team was disbanded a few years ago.
21:44 habs: Do you think the second team merger will go thru?
21:45 westbaystars: That's a hard one. There's been only speculation of who the second team will be - no published facts.
21:45 westbaystars: Most seem to think that it will be Lotte who merges with somone, perhaps Seibu or Daiei.
21:45 westbaystars: The Central League team owners, though, will have to approve it.
21:46 westbaystars: And they're worried that if such a merger goes through that the single league will become inevitable.
21:46 westbaystars: So it'll be very difficult to get a 3/4th majority to approve the merger.
21:47 westbaystars: The Players Association is also working to put a stop to the first merger, despite the owners making agreements ...
21:47 westbaystars: ... between themselves.
21:47 habs: It's my first year following your baseball and culture but I don't understand why the owners will not allow someone ....
21:48 habs: to buy the team.
21:48 westbaystars: The government may step in and put a stop to it. At least, that's how I interpret some of what I read.
21:48 westbaystars: My interpretation is not to be trusted as this is not my field of experties.
21:50 westbaystars: NPB is run by a group of men who literally rebuilt Japan from the ashes of war.
21:50 westbaystars: They work together, although competitively.
21:51 westbaystars: They've got their own elite clubs.
21:51 westbaystars: And somebody like Horie, who runs an Internet company, is an outsider.
21:52 habs: Now I understand thank you.
21:52 westbaystars: They don't understand technology beyond knowing how to assign people to use it to their advantage.
21:55 westbaystars: It's hard to change the old ways when a group running things won't accept anything new.
21:56 habs: Still holding on to " OLD BOY SYSTEM".
21:56 westbaystars: Exactly.
21:56 westbaystars: It's not what you know, it's who you know.
21:57 westbaystars: The problem is that society is changing.
21:57 westbaystars: More people are being promoted on merit than connections.
21:58 westbaystars: And Furuta (Yakult), head of the Players' Association, has more "merit" than most.
21:59 westbaystars: If you look into who becomes Commissioner of NPB, you'll find that it's always somebody from outside the baseball world.
22:00 westbaystars: That's why the current Commissioner says that there's nothing he can do to mitigate between the two sides.
22:00 westbaystars: He's just a figure head, given a (supposedly) cush job for knowing the "right" people.
22:00 habs: Will Wantabe be made to have any connection with baseball? Or is this to make the public happy?
22:01 westbaystars: I think that Whiting-san hit the nail on the head when he said it was a way for Nabe to get out of the spot light.
22:01 habs: Will Wantabe be made Not to have any connection with baseball?
22:01 westbaystars: It was getting too hot there lately.
22:02 westbaystars: No, he'll still be working with baseball.
22:02 westbaystars: It's a funning thing about Japanese politics.
22:02 westbaystars: Just because you're caught with your hand in the cookie jar doesn't expell you from politics.
22:03 westbaystars: Many scandals have surfaced in the political world here in Japan over the years.
22:03 westbaystars: The polititions in question take responsibility for their actions, step down, then ...
22:03 westbaystars: ... reappear as cabnet members or office staff for the next regime.
22:03 westbaystars: They just go from the front to the back, but continue working in politics.
22:04 westbaystars: Watanabe took responsibility for something he most likely wasn't directly involved with, and is getting out ...
22:04 westbaystars: ... of the public eye.
22:05 westbaystars: But you can believe that he'll still be working behind the scenese to manipulate things the way he wants.
22:05 westbaystars: Again, these are my own limited observations of politics here in Japan, not expert accounts.
22:06 westbaystars: Politics, like business, isn't my specialty - and I don't pay nearly enough attention to make well informed statements.
22:06 habs: Any stories of other teams doing the same with money and not getting caught yet?
22:07 westbaystars: Please double check anything I've said with more knowledgable people before reprinting.
22:07 westbaystars: Rumors are that it's common. That's about it, though.
22:08 westbaystars: Nobody has stepped forward and said that it's also happened to them.
22:11 habs: I don't reprint anything, just started to follow where Walker was than enjoy Sunday morning talk.
22:11 westbaystars: Yea, that's a disclaimer for anyone who may read the transcript later.
22:12 westbaystars: Answering you, but worried about others.
22:14 habs: Do the owners have a meeting this week again on merger?
22:16 westbaystars: I had a list of upcoming evens somewhere. Hold on.
22:16 westbaystars: Here it is: http://www.japanesebaseball.com/forum/thread.jsp?forum=1&thread=4779
22:17 westbaystars: Yes, owners' representatives meet tomorrow (August 16).
22:17 westbaystars: As to the players in a separate meeting.
22:23 habs: Well it's getting late for you. You did another good job. See you next week.
22:23 westbaystars: See you then.
22:23 westbaystars: Take care.
TRANSCRIPT generated on 2004/08/15 22:25
CHATROOM Game of the Week/Yokohama BayStars vs. Yomiuri Giants
MODERATORS westbaystars
17:59 westbaystars: ---
17:59 westbaystars: Top of First
17:59 westbaystars: ---
17:59 westbaystars: Satoh will start the game for the Giants, Cendric for Yokohama.
18:00 westbaystars: Satoh's first pitch to Yokohama's lead-off man Ishii Takuro is called strike one.
18:00 westbaystars: And the game is underway, just at 6:00.
18:01 westbaystars: Satoh gets Ishii swinging at a good pitch on the outside part of the plate.
18:02 westbaystars: Kinjyoh follows lining out to center on the first pitch. Two outs.
18:02 westbaystars: That brings up Saeki.
18:03 westbaystars: Saeki grounds the ball right to Petagine at first.
18:03 westbaystars: Peta-chan takes the ball to the bag himself, and the 'Stars are retired in order.
18:03 westbaystars: ---
18:03 westbaystars: Bottom of First
18:03 westbaystars: ---
18:05 westbaystars: The first batter that Cetric faces is Nishi.
18:06 westbaystars: Cedrick, that is.
18:06 westbaystars: And Nishi flies out to Kinjyoh in right for the first out of the Giants' half of the inning.
18:06 westbaystars: That brings up Shimizu.
18:08 westbaystars: After two quick strikes, Cedrick misses with three straight. Full count.
18:08 westbaystars: The pay-off pitch is fouled off to the left side. Still full count.
18:08 westbaystars: Shimizu bounces the next pitch high into the air off of home plate.
18:09 westbaystars: By the time the ball comes back down, Cedrick fields it, fires to first, too late!
18:09 westbaystars: Shimizu is safe with an infield base hit.
18:09 westbaystars: That brings up Rhodes.
18:10 westbaystars: Rhodes doesn't have a home run in the last five games.
18:10 westbaystars: Rhodes lines the ball to the right field fense on one bounce.
18:11 westbaystars: Shinjyoh plays the ball off the wall, but by the time the ball gets back to the infield,
18:11 westbaystars: Rhodes is standing on second, Shimizu on third.
18:11 westbaystars: One out, runners at second and third, Kokubo at the plate.
18:13 westbaystars: Kokubo grounds the ball to second.
18:13 westbaystars: The 'Stars allow the run, the throw is to first.
18:13 westbaystars: Rhodes goes to third on the play.
18:13 westbaystars: That brings up Petagine with a 1-0 lead, a runner on third, and two outs.
18:16 westbaystars: Peta-chan works the count full.
18:17 westbaystars: Petagine pulls the ball up the first base line. But right to Woods behind the bag.
18:18 westbaystars: Woods out runs Petagine to the bag, and the side is retired.
18:18 westbaystars: But not before the Giants took a 1-0 lead on Kokubo's RBI ground out.
18:18 westbaystars: ----
18:18 westbaystars: Top of Second
18:18 westbaystars: ---
18:19 westbaystars: Number four batting Woods leads off the second inning.
18:20 westbaystars: Woods is currently ranked third in home runs behind Rhodes and Kokubo.
18:20 westbaystars: Here he grounds out to short, but gets up the line faster than usual.
18:21 westbaystars: Inspired by watching the Koshien tourney going on?
18:21 westbaystars: Those kids put in their all.
18:21 westbaystars: Tamura comes up next.
18:22 westbaystars: And he watches strike three go by down the middle on a 2-2 pitch.
18:22 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
18:22 westbaystars: That brings up Taneda.
18:23 westbaystars: Taneda hits a line drive to left, just bouncing in front of Shimizu.
18:23 westbaystars: Two out base hit.
18:23 westbaystars: Uchikawa follows.
18:24 westbaystars: I hadn't seen Uchikawa in the lineup for a while.
18:25 westbaystars: Taneda has made a number of fine plays at second this past week.
18:25 westbaystars: That may put some pressure on Uchikawa at second tonight.
18:26 westbaystars: Uchikawa lifts the ball high behind the second base bag, into center field.
18:26 westbaystars: Rhodes runs in, but it's Nioka who makes the catch.
18:26 westbaystars: That retires the side.
18:26 westbaystars: After one and a half, Yokohama trails 0-1.
18:26 westbaystars: ---
18:26 westbaystars: Bottom of Second
18:26 westbaystars: ---
18:28 westbaystars: Nioka leads off the Giants' half of the second.
18:29 westbaystars: And he works Cedrick to a full count.
18:30 westbaystars: Then Cedrick gets Nioka swinging at a pitch way up high on the outside part of the plate.
18:30 westbaystars: Abe follows.
18:31 westbaystars: And he works the count full as well.
18:31 westbaystars: The shoubu pitch is lined into center field, base hit!
18:32 westbaystars: The Giants get a runner on with one out for the second inning in a row.
18:32 westbaystars: That brings up substitute right fielder Horita, in for Takahashi Yoshinobu in Athens.
18:34 westbaystars: Horita lines the ball up the left field line and into the corner.
18:35 westbaystars: By the time the ball comes back, he's standing on second, Nioka on third.
18:35 westbaystars: This is just what happened in the first inning: one out hit followed by a double.
18:36 westbaystars: The BayStars aren't going to allow another run on a ball hit to the infield as the infield comes in.
18:36 westbaystars: Facing opposing pitcher Satoh, who may try a squeeze, may have something to do with it, too.
18:36 westbaystars: Satoh isn't looking to bunt, though, and is behind in the count two strikes, one ball.
18:37 westbaystars: Satoh fouls a couple good pitches off, swinging late but making contact.
18:38 westbaystars: The changeup low is swung on and missed, strike three.
18:38 westbaystars: That makes it two outs, runners still at second and third.
18:38 westbaystars: Nishi comes up to the plate.
18:39 westbaystars: The infield goes back to playing at their normal deptch.
18:40 westbaystars: But Cedrick can't find the strike zone, and throws three straight balls, the last one blocked well by Tsuruoka.
18:40 westbaystars: The next pitch is outside and low, ball four on as many pitches.
18:40 westbaystars: That loads the bases for Shimizu, who got the first inning rally going.
18:41 westbaystars: Cedrick misses low and away, ball one.
18:41 westbaystars: Next pitch is in the same place, blal two.
18:42 westbaystars: Sweat is dripping off the brim of Cedrick's cap.
18:42 westbaystars: Shimizu lifts the ball high and deep to center.
18:42 westbaystars: But not deep enough.
18:42 westbaystars: Tamura has it in his sights and takes the ball in four out number three.
18:43 westbaystars: The Giants threatened in the second, but came up empty.
18:43 westbaystars: At the end of two complete, the Giants continue to hold onto a 1-0 lead.
18:43 westbaystars: ---
18:43 westbaystars: Top of Third
18:43 westbaystars: ---
18:45 westbaystars: Tsuruoka, recently called up to catch, leads off the third with a double to left.
18:47 westbaystars: Cedrick bunts the ball to the right side, right between Satoh and Petagine!
18:47 westbaystars: By the time Nishi fields the ball, Cedrick is safe at first with an infield hit!
18:47 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and third with nobody out.
18:48 westbaystars: And the top of Yokohama's order in Ishii at the plate.
18:48 westbaystars: The Giants are going after the double play, it looks like, as the middle infielders aren't coming too far in.
18:49 westbaystars: Ishii lifts the ball to the left side of the infield, though.
18:49 westbaystars: Nioka calls it, makes the catch, and we have one out.
18:49 westbaystars: That brings up Kinjyoh.
18:52 westbaystars: Kinjyoh hits a low line drive, bouncing once, right at Nioka.
18:52 westbaystars: Nioka tosses the ball to Nishi for one, the relay to first is well in time, double play.
18:52 westbaystars: The Giants get out of the inning without harm.
18:52 westbaystars: ---
18:52 westbaystars: Bottom of Third
18:53 westbaystars: ---
18:54 westbaystars: Rhodes leads off the second half of the third for the Giants.
18:55 westbaystars: My daughter just pointed out that baseball is on another channel. It's the Japan Olympic squad.
18:55 westbaystars: They currently lead 7-0 over Itally.
18:55 westbaystars: Rhodes give the ball a ride just right of center.
18:56 westbaystars: But not deep enough.
18:56 westbaystars: It looked like his home run swing, but Tamura has it a couple meters in front of the warning track.
18:56 westbaystars: One out.
18:56 westbaystars: That brings up Kokubo.
18:56 westbaystars: Kokubo grounds the ball to the left side.
18:57 westbaystars: Taneda cuts the ball off in front of Ishii, fires to first, and we have two quick outs.
18:57 westbaystars: Petagine follows.
18:58 westbaystars: Peta-chan lifts the ball to center, but not too deep.
18:58 westbaystars: Tamura has this, and the Giants are retired in order for the first time this evening.
18:58 westbaystars: *** Fujimoto just hit a double up the right field line in Athens.
18:59 westbaystars: *** They're in the top of the sixth.
18:59 westbaystars: *** Fukudome is up. He hit a home run his last at bat.
19:00 westbaystars: ---
19:00 westbaystars: Top of Fourth
19:00 westbaystars: ----
19:00 westbaystars: Saeki leads off the fourth inning.
19:01 westbaystars: Saeki drives the ball deep to right.
19:01 westbaystars: Horita takes a few steps toward center, looks up, and that ball is gone!
19:01 westbaystars: Deep into the orange oen-dan in right.
19:02 westbaystars: We have a tied ball game.
19:02 westbaystars: 1-1.
19:02 westbaystars: That brings up Woods.
19:02 westbaystars: *** Fukuoka doubled in a run.
19:03 westbaystars: *** Miyamoto (Yakult) singed in Fukudome.
19:03 westbaystars: *** Japan leads 9-0.
19:03 westbaystars: Woods watches strike three on the outside corner.
19:03 westbaystars: One out.
19:04 westbaystars: *** Nakahata was out talking with the umpire. Don't know what for.
19:04 westbaystars: *** Takahashi (Giants) coming up.
19:04 westbaystars: Tamura steps in.
19:05 westbaystars: He's got 29 home runs at this point, approaching 30 for the first Japanese BayStar in many years to reach that platue.
19:05 westbaystars: But he strikes out here.
19:06 westbaystars: And Taneda flies out to Rhodes in left-center on the first pitch to retire the side.
19:06 westbaystars: But we had a lead-off home run by Saeki to tie the game at 1-1.
19:06 westbaystars: ---
19:06 westbaystars: Bottom of Fourth
19:06 westbaystars: ---
19:07 westbaystars: *** Runners now at first and third, nobody out, Johjima (Daiei) at the plate.
19:07 westbaystars: *** With the count full, Johjima pops out to the third baseman, who runs into the catcher but holds onto the ball.
19:08 westbaystars: Nioka leads off the Giants' half of the fourth.
19:08 westbaystars: *** Nakamura (Kintetsu) follows.
19:08 westbaystars: Nioka grounds the ball to Taneda at third. The throw to first is in time, one out.
19:09 westbaystars: Abe follows.
19:09 westbaystars: Abe grounds the ball to the right side.
19:10 westbaystars: Uchikawa fields the ball deep in the hole close to the line.
19:10 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time, two outs.
19:10 westbaystars: *** I think Nakamura grounded out, scoring the runner from third.
19:10 westbaystars: *** Japan now leads 10-0.
19:10 westbaystars: Horita up to bat.
19:12 westbaystars: *** Ogasawara (Nippon Ham) at the plate.
19:12 westbaystars: With the count full, Cedrick misses, walking Horita.
19:12 westbaystars: That brings up opposing pitcher Satoh.
19:13 westbaystars: Cedrick strike him out to end the inning.
19:13 westbaystars: At the end of four complete, we have a 1-1 tie.
19:14 westbaystars: ---
19:14 westbaystars: Top of Fifth
19:14 westbaystars: ---
19:14 westbaystars: *** Ogasawara grounds the ball up the middle, base hit.
19:14 westbaystars: Takahashi, on the move with the count full and two outs, scores.
19:15 westbaystars: *** Japan up 11-0.
19:16 westbaystars: Uchikawa leads off the fifth for the BayStars.
19:17 westbaystars: Uchikawa grounds the ball right to Nishi at second. One out.
19:17 westbaystars: Tsuruoka follows.
19:18 westbaystars: I saw Tsuruoka a couple days ago when the SeaRex took on Nissan.
19:18 westbaystars: He was impressive, and the announcers spoke very highly of him.
19:19 westbaystars: Nakamura was catching last week, but appeared to pull something a couple of days ago.
19:20 westbaystars: The catching position hasn't been very stable for Yokohama since they lost Tanishige.
19:20 westbaystars: Tsuruoka grounds the ball up the middle.
19:20 westbaystars: Nishi fields it in front of second base, turns, fires, and just gets him by a step.
19:20 westbaystars: Two outs.
19:21 westbaystars: Cedrick bats for himself.
19:22 westbaystars: He grounds the ball to the right side. The ball is fielded by Petagine, and with Cedrick stopping half way up the line,
19:22 westbaystars: ... Peta-chan takes the ball to the bag himself.
19:22 westbaystars: The 'Stars are down in order in the fifth.
19:22 westbaystars: ---
19:22 westbaystars: Bottom of Fifth
19:23 westbaystars: ---
19:25 westbaystars: Top of the order in Nishi leads off.
19:26 westbaystars: *** Italy has loaded the bases with two outs.
19:26 westbaystars: Nishi walks to put the lead-off runner on base.
19:26 westbaystars: That brings up Shimizu.
19:27 westbaystars: *** But Italy fails to score, the final batter grounding out to second.
19:27 westbaystars: *** At the end of six, Japan leads 11-0.
19:27 westbaystars: Shimizu lifts the ball to left, but too high.
19:28 westbaystars: Saeki has plenty of time to get over and make the catch.
19:28 westbaystars: One out.
19:28 westbaystars: That brings up Rhodes.
19:29 westbaystars: Rhodes hit a double his first at bat.
19:29 westbaystars: Rhodes lifts the ball deep to center.
19:29 westbaystars: Tamura goes back, at the warning track,
19:30 westbaystars: looks up, haitta!
19:30 westbaystars: Bit two run home run to take the lead back 3-1.
19:31 westbaystars: Kokubo follows.
19:32 westbaystars: The two RBI's put Rhodes over Kanemoto for the league lead.
19:33 westbaystars: Kokubo got out.
19:33 westbaystars: Petagine fouled out to the corner in left.
19:33 westbaystars: That retires the side.
19:33 westbaystars: But not before Rhodes hit a big lead-taking two-run home run.
19:33 westbaystars: At the end of five complete, the Giants lead 3-1.
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:33 westbaystars: Top of Sixth
19:33 westbaystars: ---
19:34 westbaystars: *** Miyamoto grounds into a double play, scoring the runner from third.
19:34 westbaystars: *** Japan leads 12-0.
19:36 westbaystars: The BayStars will see the top of their order this inning, Ishii leading off.
19:37 westbaystars: *** Yakult leads Chunishi 5-0. But lost a similar lead last night in the last two innings.
19:37 westbaystars: Ishii is hit on the arm and takes first base.
19:38 westbaystars: That brings up Kinjyoh.
19:41 westbaystars: Kinjyoh strikes out reaching for a pitch high and away, one out.
19:41 westbaystars: Saeki, who tied the game up with a home run his last at bats, steps in.
19:43 westbaystars: Satoh isn't intimidated and gets Saeki on three pitches, the final one low and away that Saeki couldn't hold up on.
19:43 westbaystars: That brings up T. Woods.
19:45 westbaystars: It appears that Yakult's Iwamura hit his 33rd home run of the season this evening, dropping Woods to #4 with 32.
19:45 westbaystars: Woods works the count full.
19:46 westbaystars: Woods swing, if it's fair, it's gone!
19:46 westbaystars: And it is!
19:46 westbaystars: We have a tie ball game again!
19:47 westbaystars: Woods got all of that ball, pulling it into the Yokohama oen-dan in left.
19:48 westbaystars: Tamura, striking out twice so far, come up.
19:48 westbaystars: And the first pitch is hit back up the middle, just left of center.
19:48 westbaystars: Rhodes takes a couple of steps, looks, haittaaaaaaa!
19:48 westbaystars: Yokohama just takes a 4-1 lead!
19:49 westbaystars: On the Giants' MO.
19:49 westbaystars: Satoh slowly walks to the first base dugout as he's done for the night.
19:49 westbaystars: Satoh looks as though he can't believe what's going on.
19:49 westbaystars: While Tamura is all smiles in the opposite dugout.
19:52 westbaystars: Satoh is relieved after thowing 90 pitches.
19:53 westbaystars: Nakamura comes on in relief.
19:53 westbaystars: Taneda will be the first batter he faces.
19:54 westbaystars: Taneda goes down swinging, and the side is retired.
19:55 westbaystars: But not before a pair of home runs puts the BayStars on top 4-3.
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:55 westbaystars: Bottom of Sixth
19:55 westbaystars: ---
19:57 westbaystars: Kizuka comes in to pitch for Yokohama.
19:58 westbaystars: Cedrick was approaching 100 pitches last inning, if he didn't suprass it, so that's probably for the best.
19:58 westbaystars: Nioka leads off the Giants' half of the sixth.
19:59 westbaystars: Nioka lines the ball up the left field line, just inside third base.
19:59 westbaystars: As the ball goes into the left field corner, Nioka rounds first and heads into second with a stand-up double.
19:59 westbaystars: Abe stands in next.
20:01 westbaystars: Kizuka misses with his first three pitches to Abe.
20:01 westbaystars: Abe is swinging with no strikes, though, fouling the ball off.
20:03 westbaystars: Abe lifts a full count pitch up behind second base.
20:03 westbaystars: Ishii is over, and makes the catch for the first out.
20:03 westbaystars: That brings up Horita.
20:04 westbaystars: Etoh has grabbed a bat and is swinging it in the on-deck circle.
20:04 westbaystars: Horita is 4 for 10 (.400) with 2 RBIs so far this season.
20:04 westbaystars: All four hits are for extra bases.
20:06 westbaystars: Horita punches the ball over the infield and into right field.
20:06 westbaystars: the throw back holds Nioka at third.
20:06 westbaystars: The Giants now have runners at the corners with one out.
20:07 westbaystars: Etoh is coming up to pinch hit for the pitcher.
20:07 westbaystars: And Yokohama's pitching coach comes out to talk strategy.
20:08 westbaystars: Etoh takes ball one, just missing inside.
20:09 westbaystars: Although the pitch looked pretty good to me.
20:09 westbaystars: The next pitch catches the outside corner, 1-1.
20:10 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded to third.
20:10 westbaystars: Nioka is way off the bag, and caught between third and home.
20:10 westbaystars: The pickle play gets him.
20:11 westbaystars: I expected Etoh to be at second by then, but he held at first.
20:11 westbaystars: Back to the top of the order in Nishi.
20:11 westbaystars: Now with two outs and runners at the corners.
20:14 westbaystars: With the runners moving, Nishi lines the ball the other other way up the first base line.
20:15 westbaystars: But Woods is right there to grab the liner, retiring the side.
20:15 westbaystars: The Giants threatened, but came up empty.
20:15 westbaystars: At the end of six complete, Yokohama has a 4-3 lead.
20:18 westbaystars: ---
20:18 westbaystars: Top of Seventh
20:18 westbaystars: ---
20:19 westbaystars: Sikorski comes in to pitch for the Giants.
20:19 westbaystars: Uchikawa welcomes him with a base hit through the right side of the infield.
20:19 westbaystars: Tsuruoka follows.
20:19 westbaystars: He's looking to bunt.
20:20 westbaystars: But before he gets a pitch, Sikorski throws over to first a couple of times.
20:21 westbaystars: Tsuruoka's first bunt attempt is popped up foul, but to far away for Abe to even try.
20:21 westbaystars: The next pitch is bunted beautifully up the first base line.
20:21 westbaystars: The only play is to first, and the sacrifice is a success.
20:21 westbaystars: I wasn't sure after that first attempt.
20:22 westbaystars: Murata comes in to pinch hit for Kizuka.
20:22 westbaystars: Murata is hit on the shoulder on Sikorki's first pitch.
20:22 westbaystars: He shakes it off and heads up the line.
20:23 westbaystars: That pits runners at first and second with one out and Ishii coming to the plate.
20:24 westbaystars: Ishii grounds the ball up the middle, but with Nioka playing even with the bag, he's got it, tosses to Nishi,
20:24 westbaystars: ... and the relay to first is in time, double play.
20:24 westbaystars: Yokohama had a couple of base runners, but nothing to show for it.
20:24 westbaystars: ---
20:24 westbaystars: Bottom of Seventh
20:24 westbaystars: ---
20:27 westbaystars: Shimizu leads off against new pitcher Kawamura.
20:27 westbaystars: Kawamura is the third BayStars pitcher of the evening.
20:28 westbaystars: Shimizu pulls the ball to Uchikawa at second.
20:28 westbaystars: The throw to first is in time, one out.
20:29 westbaystars: That brings up Rhodes who hit his 38th home run of the season his last at bat.
20:30 westbaystars: Ishii moves up just left of the second base bag as par to the "Rhodes Shift."
20:32 westbaystars: After getting two quick strikes on him, Rhodes eventually worked a walk for a one out base runner.
20:32 westbaystars: That brings up Kokubo.
20:33 westbaystars: Kokubo grounds the ball back to Kawamura.
20:33 westbaystars: Kawamura turns, fires a strike to second,
20:33 westbaystars: the relay by Uchikawa is wide of first, and goes through!
20:34 westbaystars: Tsuzukawa, backing up the play, can't get Kokubo at second.
20:34 westbaystars: The inning ending double play is killed.
20:35 westbaystars: Petagine comes up with two outs and a runner at second instead.
20:35 westbaystars: Tsuzuoka is setting up way outside, and it looks like they're not going to challenge Peta-chan.
20:36 westbaystars: After three pitches way outside, Tsuzuoka stands up and Peta gets an intensional pass.
20:36 westbaystars: That puts runners at first and second, two outs, and Nioka at the plate.
20:37 westbaystars: Nioka it a double his last at bat.
20:38 westbaystars: Kawamura gets two quick strikes on Nioka, then wastes a pitch low and away.
20:38 westbaystars: Nioka wasn't fishing.
20:38 westbaystars: The fourth pitch *just* misses outside.
20:39 westbaystars: Kawamura thought he had it.
20:39 westbaystars: The 2-2 pitch is watched for strike three.
20:39 westbaystars: No doubt about that one being a strike.
20:39 westbaystars: The Giants had a chance with the big error, but failed to get it to pay off.
20:40 westbaystars: At the end of seven complete, Yokohama continues to hold a 4-3 lead.
20:40 westbaystars: ---
20:40 westbaystars: Top of Eighth
20:40 westbaystars: ---
20:42 westbaystars: *** Chunichi scores 5 in the seventh to tie Yakult.
20:42 westbaystars: Kinjyoh leads off the eighth for Yokohama.
20:42 westbaystars: Okajima takes over on the mound for the Giants.
20:43 westbaystars: Kinjyoh is hitless in three at bats so far this evening.
20:44 westbaystars: Kinjyoh goes the other way with the ball, slapping it to right field for a base hit.
20:44 westbaystars: The lead-off man is aboard.
20:45 westbaystars: Saeki, who tied the game temporarily earlier with a home run, stands in.
20:45 westbaystars: He squares, and takes strike one.
20:45 westbaystars: I don't think he's really bunting.
20:45 westbaystars: Saeki is batting.382 against the Giants this season.
20:46 westbaystars: .429 in the last five games.
20:47 westbaystars: Okajima throws over to first a few times after getting the count to 1-1.
20:48 westbaystars: After throwing ball two, Okajima again throws over to first.
20:48 westbaystars: The next pitch is grounded through the right side of the infield and into right.
20:49 westbaystars: Kinjyoh holds at second as the ball is fielded quickly in right.
20:49 westbaystars: Runners at first and second, nobody out, and Woods at the plate.
20:49 westbaystars: Woods tied the game up 3-3 at one point with a big two-run home run.
20:50 westbaystars: Woods lifts the ball to right, but he got under the ball too much.
20:51 westbaystars: Horita fields the ball, Kinjyoh tags up at second, and takes third while the relay is cut off.
20:51 westbaystars: Batters at first and third, one out, lead-taking home run hitter Tamura at the plate.
20:54 westbaystars: A curve ball in the dirt outside is swung on and missed for strike three.
20:54 westbaystars: Taneda inhierits the runners at first and third, but with two down.
20:55 westbaystars: Taneda grounds the ball to Kokubo at third.
20:55 westbaystars: Kokubo throws to first and gets Taneda by a couple of steps.
20:55 westbaystars: Three down.
20:55 westbaystars: The BayStars threatened, but came up empty.
20:55 westbaystars: Still, they continue to lead 4-3.
20:55 westbaystars: ---
20:55 westbaystars: Bottom of Eighth
20:55 westbaystars: ---
20:58 westbaystars: In to pitch for Yokohama is Yamada.
20:58 westbaystars: The first batter he'll face this inning is Abe.
20:58 westbaystars: *** Yakult scores one in the bottom of the seventh to regain the lead 6-5.
21:00 westbaystars: Abe works the count full.
21:00 westbaystars: Then lifts the ball to left. But pretty much right to Saeki.
21:01 westbaystars: Saeki makes the catch for the first out of the inning.
21:01 westbaystars: That brings up Horita.
21:03 westbaystars: Horita lifts the ball deep to the left-center gap.
21:03 westbaystars: Tamura and Saeki race over.
21:03 westbaystars: Tamura makes the back handed grab at the warning track.
21:03 westbaystars: A long out number two.
21:04 westbaystars: Kawanaka comes up as a pinch hitter for Okajima.
21:05 habs: morning
21:05 westbaystars: Hi, Habs-san. Got an exciting game again tonight.
21:05 westbaystars: Kawanaka grounds the ball back to Yamada.
21:05 westbaystars: Yamada throws to first, and the Giants go down in order.
21:06 westbaystars: At the end of eight complete, Yokohama continues to hold onto their 4-3 lead.
21:06 westbaystars: ---
21:06 westbaystars: Top of Nineth
21:06 westbaystars: ---
21:06 westbaystars: Recap:
21:06 westbaystars: The Giants scores first on a ground on RBI.
21:07 westbaystars: Yokohama tied it on Saeki's solo home run to right.
21:07 westbaystars: The Giants retook the lead on Rhodes' two run home run to center.
21:07 westbaystars: Yokohama tied it back up on Woods' two-run home run to left.
21:07 westbaystars: Tamura followed Rhodes with a home run to left-center.
21:08 westbaystars: That made the game the current 4-3 in favor of Yokohama.
21:08 habs: Alot of home runs
21:08 westbaystars: Both teams have threatened, but couldn't managed that one last hit.
21:09 westbaystars: Uchikawa leads off against new pitcher Kubo.
21:09 westbaystars: Kadokura is warming up in teh BayStars' bullpen.
21:09 westbaystars: Uchikawa lifts the ball to left field.
21:09 habs: Let's hope Yokohama can hold on.
21:10 westbaystars: Nioka has a longer run than Shimizu, but makes the catch running toward the line, just in fair territory in left.
21:10 westbaystars: One out.
21:10 westbaystars: Usually it's the Giants who are hitting the ball out left and right.
21:10 westbaystars: Yokohama's beating them at their own game.
21:11 westbaystars: Tsuruoka goes down swinging at a pitch way outside.
21:11 westbaystars: Two quick outs.
21:11 westbaystars: Furuki comes on to pinch hit for pitcher Kawamura.
21:11 westbaystars: He lines the first pitch through the hole on the right side and into right field.
21:12 westbaystars: Two out base runner is aboard.
21:12 westbaystars: Back to the top of the order in Ishii.
21:12 westbaystars: Nonaka comes in to run for Furuki at first.
21:13 westbaystars: Nonaka is 1 for 1 in the stolen base department.
21:13 westbaystars: Kubo is conerned about him and throws a couple pitches over to first.
21:15 westbaystars: With two strikes on Ishii, the throw to first gets Nonaka!
21:15 westbaystars: Three outs.
21:16 westbaystars: Nonaka was leaning the wrong way.
21:16 westbaystars: Going to the last half of the nineth, Yokohama holds on to a one run lead.
21:16 westbaystars: ---
21:16 westbaystars: Bottom of Nineth
21:16 westbaystars: ---
21:17 habs: Thought there was going to be alot of people on to talk about Wantabe.
21:18 westbaystars: I kind of expected that, too.
21:18 westbaystars: Guess Whiting-san's comment pretty much cleared everything up.
21:19 westbaystars: Kadokura, taking over as Yokohama's closer for the "vacationing" Sasaki, comes in to pitch.
21:19 westbaystars: He's wearing Sasaki's spikes, a present from him.
21:19 westbaystars: Kadokura's first pitch to Nishi is lifted to right field.
21:20 westbaystars: Kinjyoh comes over and, in the little bit of foul territory in the right field corner, makes the catch.
21:20 westbaystars: One pitch, one out.
21:20 westbaystars: That brings up Shimizu.
21:20 westbaystars: Shimizu lines the ball to right.
21:20 westbaystars: Kinjyoh runs, dives,
21:20 westbaystars: makes the catch!
21:21 westbaystars: Just in front of the warning track in right.
21:21 westbaystars: Super play!
21:21 westbaystars: That gives Kadokura two outs on three pitches, thanks to Kinjyoh.
21:22 westbaystars: Rhodes, who had a bit home run earlier to put the Giants up 3-1 at the time stands in.
21:22 westbaystars: And he pulls the first pitch to Woods at first.
21:22 westbaystars: Woods tosses the ball to Kadokura.
21:22 westbaystars: And the ball game is over!
21:22 westbaystars: Kadokura closed the game on four pitches.
21:23 westbaystars: Cedrick gives a big guts' pose outside the third base dugout as he gets the win.
21:23 habs: One quick inning.
21:23 westbaystars: Tamura is being interviews for being the hero, hitting the game winning home run.
21:23 westbaystars: Furthermore, he's the first Japanese player in 23 years for Yokohama to hit 30 home runs in a season.
21:24 habs: Cedrick took over for Walker?
21:24 westbaystars: Yes.
21:24 westbaystars: Cedrick has generally been good for about five inning.
21:24 westbaystars: I think that's how many he threw tonight.
21:25 westbaystars: With a different pitcher for each of the remaining four.
21:25 westbaystars: That pattern looks like it might work.
21:26 habs: Is there anyone else on Yokahama close to 30 home runs?
21:27 westbaystars: Woods hit his 33rd this evening.
21:29 westbaystars: Next is Saeki and Uchikawa at 14 (Sekeki hitting his 14th this evening).
21:29 westbaystars: Until this year, Yokohama has *not* been a home run hitting team.
21:31 westbaystars: Still, they're nowhere near the Giants' 206 in 103 games (before this game).
21:31 westbaystars: That's a new team record.
21:32 westbaystars: 54 of those were hit against Yokohama.
21:32 westbaystars: So hitting more home runs hasn't had much effect on winning for the 'Stars this year.
21:32 westbaystars: Except tonight.
21:33 habs: Home runs can change the game.
21:34 westbaystars: * Actually, this is yesterday's paper I'm looking at. So those are stats as of end of play on the 13th.
21:35 habs: Well are you read y for my question on the Wantabe situation.
21:35 westbaystars: Sure, fire away.
21:36 westbaystars: =======
21:36 westbaystars: =======
21:37 habs: What is going to happen to the young man who excepted the money? Is he consider dirty laundry?
21:37 westbaystars: The other teams are already looking to sign him.
21:37 westbaystars: He's not allowed to play for the university any more.
21:37 westbaystars: But that's not going to stop any team from signing him.
21:38 westbaystars: He'll just have to find a way to keep in shape between now and next spring.
21:39 westbaystars: I don't think that he's banned from practicing with the team, just from league games.
21:39 habs: Can he be signed now or does he have to wait to be drafted?
21:39 westbaystars: He still has to wait for the draft.
21:40 westbaystars: There used to be a way for teams to sign Japanese players outside the draft during the season,
21:40 westbaystars: ... but that loop hole in the rules appears to have been plugged.
21:40 westbaystars: I regret that this is just observation. I don't have any concrete details on it.
21:41 westbaystars: Just an observation of the elimination of outside-the-draft signings.
21:42 westbaystars: The Seibu Group used to get a number of players from their Prince Hotel amateur team this way.
21:42 westbaystars: The Prince Hotel chain is part of the Seibu Group.
21:43 westbaystars: And the Prince Hotel amatuer team was disbanded a few years ago.
21:44 habs: Do you think the second team merger will go thru?
21:45 westbaystars: That's a hard one. There's been only speculation of who the second team will be - no published facts.
21:45 westbaystars: Most seem to think that it will be Lotte who merges with somone, perhaps Seibu or Daiei.
21:45 westbaystars: The Central League team owners, though, will have to approve it.
21:46 westbaystars: And they're worried that if such a merger goes through that the single league will become inevitable.
21:46 westbaystars: So it'll be very difficult to get a 3/4th majority to approve the merger.
21:47 westbaystars: The Players Association is also working to put a stop to the first merger, despite the owners making agreements ...
21:47 westbaystars: ... between themselves.
21:47 habs: It's my first year following your baseball and culture but I don't understand why the owners will not allow someone ....
21:48 habs: to buy the team.
21:48 westbaystars: The government may step in and put a stop to it. At least, that's how I interpret some of what I read.
21:48 westbaystars: My interpretation is not to be trusted as this is not my field of experties.
21:50 westbaystars: NPB is run by a group of men who literally rebuilt Japan from the ashes of war.
21:50 westbaystars: They work together, although competitively.
21:51 westbaystars: They've got their own elite clubs.
21:51 westbaystars: And somebody like Horie, who runs an Internet company, is an outsider.
21:52 habs: Now I understand thank you.
21:52 westbaystars: They don't understand technology beyond knowing how to assign people to use it to their advantage.
21:55 westbaystars: It's hard to change the old ways when a group running things won't accept anything new.
21:56 habs: Still holding on to " OLD BOY SYSTEM".
21:56 westbaystars: Exactly.
21:56 westbaystars: It's not what you know, it's who you know.
21:57 westbaystars: The problem is that society is changing.
21:57 westbaystars: More people are being promoted on merit than connections.
21:58 westbaystars: And Furuta (Yakult), head of the Players' Association, has more "merit" than most.
21:59 westbaystars: If you look into who becomes Commissioner of NPB, you'll find that it's always somebody from outside the baseball world.
22:00 westbaystars: That's why the current Commissioner says that there's nothing he can do to mitigate between the two sides.
22:00 westbaystars: He's just a figure head, given a (supposedly) cush job for knowing the "right" people.
22:00 habs: Will Wantabe be made to have any connection with baseball? Or is this to make the public happy?
22:01 westbaystars: I think that Whiting-san hit the nail on the head when he said it was a way for Nabe to get out of the spot light.
22:01 habs: Will Wantabe be made Not to have any connection with baseball?
22:01 westbaystars: It was getting too hot there lately.
22:02 westbaystars: No, he'll still be working with baseball.
22:02 westbaystars: It's a funning thing about Japanese politics.
22:02 westbaystars: Just because you're caught with your hand in the cookie jar doesn't expell you from politics.
22:03 westbaystars: Many scandals have surfaced in the political world here in Japan over the years.
22:03 westbaystars: The polititions in question take responsibility for their actions, step down, then ...
22:03 westbaystars: ... reappear as cabnet members or office staff for the next regime.
22:03 westbaystars: They just go from the front to the back, but continue working in politics.
22:04 westbaystars: Watanabe took responsibility for something he most likely wasn't directly involved with, and is getting out ...
22:04 westbaystars: ... of the public eye.
22:05 westbaystars: But you can believe that he'll still be working behind the scenese to manipulate things the way he wants.
22:05 westbaystars: Again, these are my own limited observations of politics here in Japan, not expert accounts.
22:06 westbaystars: Politics, like business, isn't my specialty - and I don't pay nearly enough attention to make well informed statements.
22:06 habs: Any stories of other teams doing the same with money and not getting caught yet?
22:07 westbaystars: Please double check anything I've said with more knowledgable people before reprinting.
22:07 westbaystars: Rumors are that it's common. That's about it, though.
22:08 westbaystars: Nobody has stepped forward and said that it's also happened to them.
22:11 habs: I don't reprint anything, just started to follow where Walker was than enjoy Sunday morning talk.
22:11 westbaystars: Yea, that's a disclaimer for anyone who may read the transcript later.
22:12 westbaystars: Answering you, but worried about others.
22:14 habs: Do the owners have a meeting this week again on merger?
22:16 westbaystars: I had a list of upcoming evens somewhere. Hold on.
22:16 westbaystars: Here it is: http://www.japanesebaseball.com/forum/thread.jsp?forum=1&thread=4779
22:17 westbaystars: Yes, owners' representatives meet tomorrow (August 16).
22:17 westbaystars: As to the players in a separate meeting.
22:23 habs: Well it's getting late for you. You did another good job. See you next week.
22:23 westbaystars: See you then.
22:23 westbaystars: Take care.
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This is a site about Pro Yakyu (Japanese Baseball), not about who the next player to go over to MLB is. It's a community of Pro Yakyu fans who have come together to share their knowledge and opinions with the world. It's a place to follow teams and individuals playing baseball in Japan (and Asia), and to learn about Japanese (and Asian) culture through baseball.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Some rights reserved.
I imagine that there will be a number of questions about the sudden retirement of Giants' owner Watanabe Tsuneo and the future of Japanese baseball. Please review this and this thread before asking questions. I'll answer questions to the best of my knowledge. Any links to more primary sources of information should be posted under one or the other thread.