Central League to introduce playoffs next year

Central League to introduce playoffs next year

TOKYO, Japan - Central League Chairman Hajime Toyokura speaks at a press conference after the league decided to introduce postseason playoffs in the 2007 season to help boost sagging attendance.

(2)Players strike looms as merger nears reality

(2)Players strike looms as merger nears reality

TOKYO, Japan - Hajime Toyokura, chairman of the professional baseball Central League, speaks to reporters at a hotel in Tokyo on Sept. 6 after a meeting of representatives of the 12 baseball clubs in Japan's two professional leagues. A merger plan by the Orix BlueWave and the Kintetsu Buffaloes, both in the Pacific League, was approved at the meeting.

Ex-construction vice minister takes over as CL president

Ex-construction vice minister takes over as CL president

TOKYO, Japan - Former Construction Vice Minister Hajime Toyokura is named the new president of Japanese professional baseball's Central League on Dec. 18. Toyokura replaces Sumiko Takahara, who decided earlier this month to resign because of an ongoing battle with cancer. Toyokura joined the Construction Ministry in 1953 and was name vice minister in 1985.

(2)Players strike looms as merger nears reality

(2)Players strike looms as merger nears reality

TOKYO, Japan - Hajime Toyokura, chairman of the professional baseball Central League, speaks to reporters at a hotel in Tokyo on Sept. 6 after a meeting of representatives of the 12 baseball clubs in Japan's two professional leagues. A merger plan by the Orix BlueWave and the Kintetsu Buffaloes, both in the Pacific League, was approved at the meeting. (Kyodo)

Central League to introduce playoffs next year

Central League to introduce playoffs next year

TOKYO, Japan - Central League Chairman Hajime Toyokura speaks at a press conference after the league decided to introduce postseason playoffs in the 2007 season to help boost sagging attendance. (Kyodo)

Ex-construction vice minister takes over as CL president

Ex-construction vice minister takes over as CL president

TOKYO, Japan - Former Construction Vice Minister Hajime Toyokura is named the new president of Japanese professional baseball's Central League on Dec. 18. Toyokura replaces Sumiko Takahara, who decided earlier this month to resign because of an ongoing battle with cancer. Toyokura joined the Construction Ministry in 1953 and was name vice minister in 1985.