Japan to let union decide on tourney

By wire services
Published July 1, 2005

TOKYO - Japan tentatively agreed to take part in baseball's first World Cup-style tournament if its players' association agrees to it.

Masashi Tsunoda , an official with the Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League, said Thursday that a letter sent to Major League Baseball included a counterproposal from Japan's players on when to hold the tournament.

Major-league and union officials traveled to Japan two weeks ago and set a Thursday deadline for an agreement with the Japanese owners and players. U.S. baseball officials plan a formal launch announcement of the World Baseball Classic for July 11, the day before the All-Star Game in Detroit.

The Japanese players' association has scheduled a meeting for July 22 to decide whether to take part. MLB and its players' association have already approved the tournament.

Players in Japan have proposed holding the qualifying games in March and the finals in July, during the All-Star break.

TWO SUSPENDED: Orioles pitcher Steve Kline was suspended for four games and Yankees outfielder Gary Sheffield for two by the commissioner's office.

Kline was ejected after a balk call Monday night in Baltimore, when he angrily protested the decision by plate umpire Marty Foster . Orioles manager Lee Mazzilli went on the field, standing between Foster and the charging Kline. Kline immediately appealed.

Sheffield was ejected after being called out at first by umpire C.B. Bucknor in Sunday's game against the Mets at Yankee Stadium. Sheffield threw his helmet after he was called out, and replays showed he appeared to beat the throw. Sheffield also appealed.

ANGELS: Major League Baseball reduced right-hander Brendan Donnelly 's suspension by two days to eight for having pine tar on his glove during a game. Donnelly was ejected without throwing a pitch June 14.

PADRES: Right-hander Pedro Astacio signed a minor-league contract nine days after he was released by the Rangers.

RANGERS: Alfonso Soriano reached 20 homers for the fourth straight season, becoming the fourth second baseman to do that. ... Right-hander Frank Francisco pleaded no contest in San Francisco to misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to a work program and anger management classes. Francisco, 25, was accused of tossing a chair at an A's fan Sept.13.

WHITE SOX: Left-hander Damaso Marte went on the 15-day disabled list with an inflamed muscle on the left side of his upper back.

YANKEES: Left-hander Mike Stanton and right-hander Paul Quantrill became the first victims of the team's roster shakeup. The ineffective relievers were designated for assignment, giving the team 10 days to trade them or place them on waivers.

[Last modified July 1, 2005, 01:24:21]