NPB/ BayStars to get speedy on basepaths
Four months ago, it was looking pretty grim for baseball fans in Yokohama. The BayStars' owners, Tokyo Broadcasting System, wanted to dump the cash-strapped, second-division team, and potential buyer, JS Group Corp., wanted to change the name of the team and move it to another city.
Neither side could agree. And after weeks of acrimonious negotiations, the deal fell apart in late October, and the BayStars will remain in Yokohama--for now.
Despite the dark cloud still hanging over the team, things are considerably cheerier this year at the BayStars spring training camp in Okinawa. thanks, in part, to flamboyant offseason acquisition Hichori Morimoto.
The 30-year-old free agent outfielder left the Nippon-Ham Fighters and brought his infectious personality to the BayStars.
Hours earlier, Judge Betty Williams of Brooklyn Criminal Court had settled a case against Mr. Kobayashi that included charges of trespassing and resisting arrest. Mr. Kobayashi, 32, had been taken into custody when he rushed onto the stage at last month’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island. He is a six-time winner, but he did not compete this year because he would not sign an exclusive contract with the organizers.
Judge Williams’ decision means he not only remains a free agent, he remains free. If he stays out of trouble for six months, his record will be cleared.
free agent
n.
A professional athlete who is free to sign a contract with any team.
free agency free agency n.
base path
n. Baseball
The area within which a base runner must stay when running between bases.
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