Ohka hopes his ballclub will help local sports

Ohka hopes his ballclub will help local sports

KUSATSU, Japan - Washington Nationals right-hander Tomokazu Ohka, who recently established an amateur baseball club in western Japan, expresses hope at a press conference on Feb. 10 that its activities will help vitalize local sporting communities. Ohka said the ballclub, of which he is general manager, will recruit players through tryouts this fall and take part in a regional league in 2006 with the goal of playing in the intercity national championship. (MLB)

Steady progress seen in 'Independent League' plans

Steady progress seen in 'Independent League' plans

MATSUYAMA, Japan - Hiromichi Ishige, former Orix BlueWave manager and now president of Tokyo-based company IBLJ, speaks of his plans to establish a new baseball league in the four prefectures on Shikoku at a press conference in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on Dec. 1. He said the plans are making steady progress as advisers and coaching staff have been shortlisted and more than 900 players have applied for tryouts.

5 Japanese players selected for NFL Europe league

5 Japanese players selected for NFL Europe league

TOKYO, Japan - Five Japanese players have been selected for the NFL Europe (NFLE) for the 2000 season after a series of tryouts held in Japan over the weekend, NFLE officials said. Posing for photographers, with two NFLE officials at the center, Dec. 6 are (from L to R) Onward Oaks quarterback Takayuki Sunaga, former Ritsumeikan defensive back Kohei Satomi, Kajima Deers wide receiver Masato Itai and Recruit Seagulls tight end Nachi Abe. A fifth player, Ritsumeikan University coach and linebacker Masafumi Kawaguchi is not in the photo.

Steady progress seen in 'Independent League' plans

Steady progress seen in 'Independent League' plans

MATSUYAMA, Japan - Hiromichi Ishige, former Orix BlueWave manager and now president of Tokyo-based company IBLJ, speaks of his plans to establish a new baseball league in the four prefectures on Shikoku at a press conference in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, on Dec. 1. He said the plans are making steady progress as advisers and coaching staff have been shortlisted and more than 900 players have applied for tryouts. (Kyodo)

Ohka hopes his ballclub will help local sports

Ohka hopes his ballclub will help local sports

KUSATSU, Japan - Washington Nationals right-hander Tomokazu Ohka, who recently established an amateur baseball club in western Japan, expresses hope at a press conference on Feb. 10 that its activities will help vitalize local sporting communities. Ohka said the ballclub, of which he is general manager, will recruit players through tryouts this fall and take part in a regional league in 2006 with the goal of playing in the intercity national championship. (MLB) (Kyodo)

5 Japanese players selected for NFL Europe league.

5 Japanese players selected for NFL Europe league.

TOKYO, Dec. 6 Kyodo - Five Japanese players have been selected for the NFL Europe (NFLE) for the 2000 season after a series of tryouts held in Japan over the weekend, NFLE officials said. Posing for photographers, with two NFLE officials at the center, Dec. 6 are (from L to R) Onward Oaks quarterback Takayuki Sunaga, former Ritsumeikan defensive back Kohei Satomi, Kajima Deers wide receiver Masato Itai and Recruit Seagulls tight end Nachi Abe. A fifth player, Ritsumeikan University coach and linebacker Masafumi Kawaguchi is not in the photo.