JAPAN – Michihiro Ogasawara, Edgardo Alfonzo and Yoshitomo Tani all homered Saturday as the Yomiuri Giants routed the Lotte Marines 7-1 in the first preseason game for manager Tatsunori Hara in his return from the World Baseball Classic.

In other preseason action, the Softbank Hawks beat the Hiroshima Carp 1-0, and the Rakuten Eagles claimed a 3-1 win over the ChunichiDragons. – Read More

Japan Should Use Globally Standardized Ball: Commissioner

Japanese baseball commissioner Ryozo Kato said Friday the country should start using a ball similar to the one used in the major leagues for the next World Baseball Classic in 2013. – Read More

Seibu’s Wakui Roughed Up In Return From WBC

Seibu Lions right-hander Hideaki Wakui had a rough outing in his return from the World Baseball Classic on Friday. – Read More

Japanese Female Knuckleballer Makes Debut Against Men

High school student Eri Yoshida became the first Japanese woman to face male professional players in her pitching debut with the Kobe 9 Cruise in the season opener of the inaugural Kansai independent league Friday. – Read More

Tags: Japan