NPB / Owners good to go for 2013 WBC

The owners are ready to go. Now, it's just a matter of getting the players on board.
Nippon Professional Baseball announced Dec. 1 that the Japanese team will participate in the third edition of the World Baseball Classic in 2013 after the decision was reached at the owners' meeting.
Although the Japanese baseball players' association has said its members won't play in the Major League Baseball-run international competition unless current conditions are reviewed, Rakuten's Toru Shimada, chairman of the owners' meeting, told reporters: "The announcement to take part in (the WBC) is a step NPB has to make. Now, we'll sincerely negotiate with the players' association, hand in hand."
The players' association will hold a general meeting on Dec. 8 to discuss the issue.
NPB has decided to launch a national baseball squad on a permanent basis, much like soccer's Samurai Blue, and is currently in the process of seeking sponsors.
(Read full story at The Asahi Shimbun)