F Marinos, manager Okada agree on new deal
December 19, 2005Yokohama F Marinos said Monday they have agreed on a new one-year contract with manager Takeshi Okada, whose three-year deal with the J-League first-division club expires this year. Okada, who declined an offer of a multi-year deal, accepted a 20...
Orix signs infielder Grabowski
December 19, 2005The Orix Buffaloes have signed a one-year contract with infielder Jason Grabowski, who played in 65 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers this year, the Pacific League club said Monday. The deal for Grabowski is worth a combined $600,000 in signing bo...
Terao, Kamino win Olympic berths
December 19, 2005Short-track speed skaters Satoru Terao and Yuka Kamino comfortably booked their places in the upcoming Winter Olympics after winning the national championships on Monday. Terao won the men's 1,000 meters for his third victory in the two-day champi...
Yakult to bid for southpaw Ishii
December 19, 2005The Yakult Swallows will launch a bid to regain the services of left-hander Kazuhisa Ishii, who was cut by the New York Mets last month, club president Yoshikazu Tagiku said Monday. Tagiku said he plans to have new player-manager and former batter...
Katayama wins spot in Masters
December 19, 2005Shingo Katayama has earned a spot in next year's Masters Tournament after placing 39th in the 2005 final world rankings released Monday. Katayama, who won back-to-back money titles on the Japanese tour, will appear in the major tournament for the...
Asada's win prompts demands for change to age limit rule
December 19, 2005The victory in the Grand Prix series final on Saturday night by 15-year-old Mao Asada has stirred a debate over why she cannot compete in the Turin Olympics two months from now. The Japan Skating Federation said Sunday it had received more than 400 e...