Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Japanese baseball commissioner apologizes for tests that show ball livelier than it should be

TOKYO – The commissioner of Japanese baseball has apologized after random tests showed the official ball is livelier than it should be.

The tests revealed that balls used at six stadiums on March 29 were livelier than they should have been.

Nippon Professional Baseball Commissioner Katsuhiko Kumazaki says “I want to apologize for causing a commotion.”

Japanese baseball plans to re-test the ball and has asked ball manufacturer Mizuno to explain why the balls are livelier than what the league specified.

The apology is reminiscent of a ball controversy that hit Japanese baseball last season. Ryozo Kato, the previous commissioner, resigned in October to take responsibility after the official ball had been made livelier without his knowing. The juiced-up ball resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of home runs.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.