Japan, the country that won the first two World Baseball Classics in 2006 and 2009, had threatened non-participation in the 2013 version due to a dispute over sponsorship and licensing revenue.
Japan Commits To 2013 World Baseball Classic
It’s been reported by the Associated Press that this dispute has now been settled:
Following a meeting with tournament organizers in New York in August, officials from Nippon Professional Baseball said some sponsorship and licensing revenue would remain in Japan.
“I think everyone is happy that we can choose players of the highest quality,” NPB Commissioner Ryozo Kato said. “We need to put together a team that is intent on winning.”
The Asian round will be held in Tokyo in March, with Japan facing Cuba, China and the winner of November’s Asian qualifying round in Taiwan.
The last two rounds of the WBC, including the championship game, will be held at AT&T Park in San Francisco. As in 2009, some players will leave their MLB teams during spring training to participate.
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