Tough times for Japanese baseball

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TOKYO - Facing losses of US$3.3 million in 2010, Japanese professional baseball is considering a series of international games involving Japan's national team to bring in revenue.

The owners of Japan's 12 professional teams discussed the proposal at league meetings on Wednesday, the Nikkan Sports newspaper reported Thursday.

Under the proposal being discussed, Japan's national team would play as many as 20 international exhibition games in February, March, July and November.

Only players in Japan would take part. Major league players would not be part of the team.

The opponents and venues have yet to be discussed, an official with Nippon Professional Baseball said Thursday.

Baseball is the most popular sport in Japan but is struggling amid the global financial crises like many other sports here.

Yamaha Jubilo rugby club announced Monday it was releasing all its professional players as part of cost-cutting measures by the team's owners Yamaha Motors.

Earlier this month Toyota, the world's largest automaker, withdrew its team from Formula One. Honda pulled out of F1 a year ago, while Subaru and Suzuki withdrew from the World Rally Championship ahead of the 2009 season.