WBC won't wait for Japan

The Daily Yomiuri
Time is quickly running out on Japan's chance to defend its World Baseball Classic championship in 2013.
Japan's players union has yet to reach an agreement to take part in the tournament, even though Nippon Professional Baseball's owners have agreed to take part.
Tournament organizers are in the process of signing a team to replace two-time defending champion Japan and securing a venue to host the Asian round. Once those contracts are signed, Japan will no longer be able to participate.
"These [contracts] could be done within 30 days. If it is any later it's not because we are waiting for Japan,"Jim Small, Major League Baseball's vice president for Asia said Wednesday.
Paul Archey, MLB's senior vice president International Business Operations, expressed disappointment in the lack of progress in an e-mail.

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