The media learned that Yoshimasa Takahashi is planning to step down as manager of Chuo University in January because he was not able to bring a championship to the team.

Takahashi took over as manager of the team in 2008 and helped them move up to the First Division in the same year.  In 2011, the team almost fell back to the Second Division during the fall league, but managed to maintain their position by defeating Tokushoku University, 2 games to 1.

Sponichi has posted the following comments from Tomoyuki Sugano:

How did you spend the New Year?

I did some things like light running to stay in shape.

Do you feel worried about not being able to play in any games?

I can not really say until I experience, but I am not feeling too worried right now.  I pitched a lot the last four years.  I do not think I will lose the feel for pitching over a 10-month period.

The other two from [last year's] Big Three, Takahiro Fujioka and Yusuke Nomura, all turned pro.

I would like to see them succeed.  I want to join them as soon as possible.  I will do my best to make sure there is not much of a difference between our [skill levels] when I turn pro.

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Tokai University manager Hitoki Yokoi plans to provide Sugano with whatever support he can, like taking him to spring camp in Okinawa, allowing him to pitch during situational BP and intra-squad games, and whenever else possible.  There is also chance he might be selected to play in the World University Baseball Championship in July and the Asian Baseball Championship in August, but that will largely depend on whether or not the amateur organizations are ok with giving a player that passed on the draft a chance to play on the international stage.

And Hideki Kuriyama told reporters on Saturday that he still wanted Sugano to join the Nippon Ham Fighters, but that if things did not work out, he wished him a long and prosperous career.  The Fighters have until 3/31 to negotiate with Sugano.

Tomoyuki Sugano held a baseball clinic for kids in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa today.

Regarding 2012, Sugano has decided not to graduate from Tokai University and will continue to workout with the university baseball team.  He also does not have any plans to head overseas for workouts -- he will do what he can with the help/support from people in Japan.

The media learned on Sunday that the Tohto University Baseball League is planning to play a 22 and under tournament against a team from Australia.  A date has not yet been decided, but the tournament is expected to take place next year or some time thereafter.  A name has already been selected: The Kangaroo Cup.

The Tohto team will be made up of players from universities in the first division.  Australia has not decided on their team format yet, but it seems there is a chance they may select both university and professional players.

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The Tohto University Baseball League held an 80th Anniversary Celebration at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo on Sunday.  Around 1,800 people attended the event, including 12 former players currently active in the NPB, like Hiroki Kokubo (Aoyama Gakuin), Tadahito Iguchi (Aoyama Gakuin), Masanori Ishikawa (Aoyama Gakuin), Kentaro Kyuko (Aoyama Gakuin), Fumiya Nishiguchi (Rissho), Masaki Mnami (Rissho), Hiroshi Kisanuki (Asia), Takahiro Fujioka (Toyo).

Komazawa University announced earlier today that baseball team manager Masahiro Ogura (58) and baseball team director Yoshihiro Saruyama (52) were resigning from their posts, effective 12/31.

Ogura recently came under fire when school officials found out that his license was suspended for two years after he was caught speeding while driving under the influence Okinawa in June 2009.

The Japan Student Baseball Association's (JSBA) head of the secretariat, Masayuki Naito, told reporters on Tuesday that the NPB asked to set up a joint conference to discuss the rules and regulations regarding pro and former pro players practicing with/instructing high school/college players.

Assuming both sides agree, their first meeting could take place in February, followed by additional meetings about once a month.

UPDATE @ 9:14pm - The JSBA held a board of directors meeting today and agreed on the NPB's proposal to set up a joint conference.  Committee members will be decided in January (there will be two university related members and two high school related members).

The JUBF held a board of directors meeting and a trustees meeting earlier today in Tokyo in order to go over their plans for the 2012 calendar year.  Amongst some of the events that were covered:

• The All Japan University Baseball Championship will take place over a six-day period that begins on 6/12, at Jingu Stadium and Tokyo Dome.
• The 6th World University Championships will take in Taiwan place between 7/13 and 7/22.  A three-day mini camp will begin on 6/22 at Hiratsuka Stadium, final rosters will be selected and announced on the final day (6/24).
• Special Winter Training sessions held by former pro yakyu players will take place again next year at the Yomiuri indoor training facilities on 2/6 and 2/7.
• A charity game between a university team and an industrial league team will be played on 3/10.

The media learned on Tuesday that Komazawa University baseball manager Masahiro Ogura had his drivers license suspended for two years after he was caught speeding and driving under the influence in Okinawa in June 2009.  According to reports, the university did not find out about the incident until last December, about a year and half after the fact, and as punishment, gave Ogura a severe warning and a ten-day suspension from baseball activities in February.

Earlier today, the All Japan University Baseball Federation received a report from the Komazawa University baseball department, via the Tohto University Baseball League, but turned it down due to insufficient information and issued a request to have the report re-filed.  Depending on how the Federation handles the things, the case could end up being decided by the Japan Student Baseball Association in January next year, leaving open the possibility of a severe punishment.

Ogura was in Okinawa on baseball-related business in June 2009.  He apparently did not inform the university of the incident because he thought he received the necessary punishment (license suspension) from local authorities.

Hokusho University (Sapporo) held a press conference on Wednesday to announce that former Chunichi OF Kyohei Taniki (66) will be taking over as manager of their baseball team on 1/1/2012 with current manager Masami Onishi (54) stepping down in order to become director of the team.

University

Game 1

Official Box Score

Yusuke Nomura started the game for Meiji and tossed a complete game shutout (9 IP, 191 P, 27 BF, 4 H, 5 SO, 0 BB/HBP, 0 ER). He also topped out at 146km/h during the 9th inning.

Meiji won the tournament for the fifth time (the first in 15 years).

High School

Game 1

Official Box Score

Tatsuro Hamada started the game for Meiden and struck out 13 over 8 innings of work (8 IP, 171 NP, 41 BF, 11 H, 13 SO, 6 BB/HBP, 5 ER). Hamada struck out a total 40 batters during the tournament, which is good for second most in tournament history.

Kosei Gakuin won the tournament for the first time.