Mr. Hirotada Ototake, a well-known figure in Japan for his successful work in sports journalism, gives us a fair analysis of "Japanese baseball players' decision not to participate in the next World Baseball Classic slated to be held in the United States in the spring of 2013.
Mr. Ototake writes in his official blog (see WBC不参加に思う～乙武洋匡のベースボールコラム ); Although some criticize The Japan's Baseball Players' Union of giving priority to money by voting against Japan's participation in the next WBC, I believe that their criticism has missed the mark because in the frist place, there is no way to approve of the unfair practices seen not only in deciding on tournament revenue and merchandising and sponsorship rights for the Japan National Team but also in scheduling tournaments, etc.
He continues to say "I have observed a ridiculous aspect of WBC in which the American umpires unilaterally selected by the Americans enforce the rules of the games and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions on the American soil although MLB claims it to be an international competition."
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Japanese Players Vote Against WBC Participation
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