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Ichi-gun and Ni-gun players had the day off.

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Kohei Shibata, Masashi Nohara, and Yamato worked out on their day off today.

Source: Daily Sports 2/12/2013

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The coaches decided to push Thursday's intra-squad game up to Wednesday for WBC candidates -- their practice game against LG on Monday was rained out after just one inning.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/12/2013

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Takashi Toritani used a Keisuke Kano bat during Monday's intra-squad game against LG.  At 34.5 inches, it is one inch longer than the bat he used last year.  The handle was also redone so that he can hold it further toward the end -- up until last year, he held the bat about two fingers up from the end.

Toritani is scheduled to play in Wednesday's intra-squad game.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/12/2013

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Kosuke Fukudome is also slated to play in Wednesday Intra-squad game.

Source: Daily Sports 2/12/2013

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Tomoaki Kanemoto visited Ginoza camp on Monday and spent some time working with Ryota Arai on his hitting.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/12/2013

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Katsuhiko Saka will join the Ichi-gun team for spring camp.  He will essentially take Toritani's spot when he leaves for WBC mini-camp.

Source: Sanspo 2/12/2013

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Takumi Akiyama will be called up to Ichi-gun camp in place of Kazuhito Futagami -- Akiyama pitched an effective two shutout innings during a game against Ni-gun Seibu on Monday; Futagami did not fare so well against LG (KBO) and gave up five runs in an inning of work.

Soure: Sanspo 2/12/2013

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1st round draft pick Shintaro Fujinami threw fifty-two pitches in the bullpen on Monday -- twenty-four were strikes and twenty-eight were balls.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/12/2013

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3rd round draft pick Kojiro Tanabo, Akiyama, Hirokazu Shiranita, and Saka left Kochi today and arrived in Okinawa. All four will begin workouts at Ichi-gun camp on Wednesday.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/12/2013

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4th round draft pick Shinya Azuhata played some catch and took some batting practice on his day off today.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/12/2013

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Team owner Shinya Sakai was at Ginoza camp on Monday.  He had a chance to watch Fujinami toss a bullpen session.

Source: Sanspo 2/12/2013

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Shinobu Fukuhara tossed a bullpen session to 4th round draft pick Shinya Azuhata today.  After the session, Fukuhara spent about three minutes giving Azuhata suggestions on his catching.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013

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INF/base-running coach Teruyoshi Kuji reminded Takashi Toritani to be aware of the runner on first when covering second during the WBC, especially since runners tend to slide more aggressively outside of the NPB.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013, Daily Sports 2/5/2013

While playing second during fielding practice on Monday: Toritani fielded forty-eight grounders and threw to second; and covered second twenty-eight times on grounders to short.

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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Ryota Arai prepared three gloves from spring camp: first base, third base, outfield.

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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Kosuke Fukudome is using a narrower stance with his hands up a little higher.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013

Former Chunichi batting coach Kyosuke Sasaki visited Hanshin camp on Monday and worked with Fukudome on his hitting.  Sasaki thinks Fukudome could be a good number three hitter because he can get on base via hits and walks.

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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Tsuyoshi Nishioka is hoping to play in at least one game with Toritani before heads to WBC mini-camp (either the 10th or 11th).

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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1st round draft pick Shintaro Fujinami tossed his bullpen session on Monday alongside Daiki Enokida, Naoto Tsuru, Tatsuya Kojima, Minoru Iwata, and Kazuhito Futagami.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013

Fujinami was in the middle of running today when he stopped short with pain and tightness in his right leg.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/5/2013

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Matt DeSalvo tossed his tryout bullpen in front of people like Yutaka Wada, team president Nobuo Minami, GM Katsuhiro Nakamura, head coach Masahiro Kuroda, and pitching coach Kiyooki Nakanishi on Monday.  He threw his fastball, curve, slider, fork, and change.

Source: Sanspo 2/5/2013

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Chunichi and Hiroshima were at Tigers' camp on the 1st, checking on various talent, including Fujinami.  Yomiuri and Yakult were at camp on Monday.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/5/2013

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Matt DeSalvo did some light workouts at Kin Stadium today.  He is scheduled to toss a bullpen session at Ginoza on Monday.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/3/2013

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Matt Murton may be willing to call it quits if he has another bad season this year.

"I am just thinking about having a good season.  I thought about returning to the Majors during my first year, but now I just want to play for the Tigers.  If I have another bad season this year, I will be let go.  There probably will not be any interest from MLB teams either.  I will have to retire," said Murton.

Source: Sanspo 2/3/2013, Nikkan Sports 2/3/2013, Daily Sports 2/3/2013

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Brooks Conrad was at third during situational fielding practice today.

On Saturday night, Conrad went out to dinner with the Ichi-gun coaches.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/3/2013

When Conrad hits from the right side, he uses a thirty-four inch bat.  When he hits from left side, a 33.5 inch bat.

Source: Sponichi 2/3/2013

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Kosuke Fukudome swung the bat 969 times between Friday and Saturday.

Source: Sanspo 2/3/2013

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INF/base-running coach Teruyoshi Kuji and Takashi Toritani worked with Ryota Arai for about thirty minutes after fielding practices on Saturday.

Source: Sanspo 2/3/2013

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Toritani took forty-nine grounders at third and fifty-three grounders at short during fielding practice on Saturday.

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/3/2013

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Takahiro Arai got hitting tips from Masayuki Kakefu (at Kin Stadium), chief batting coach Jitsuo Mizutani (over an hour at Ginoza), and Kozo Kawato on Saturday.

Source: Sanspo 2/3/2013, Daily Sports 2/3/2013

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Masaki Anada tweaked his right leg during fielding practice on the first day of camp.  He was evaluated at a hospital on Saturday and diagnosed with an ankle sprain.

Source: Sanspo 2/3/2013

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Tatsuro Hirooka began his stint as a spring camp instructor on Saturday -- he worked with Ni-gun players Kochi.

Source: Sanspo 2/3/2013

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1st round draft pick Shintaro Fujinami did not toss a bullpen session today.  He spent his day going through the same training menus other pitchers were doing.  After workouts, he participated in a baseball clinic for kids.

Source: Sports Hochi 2/3/2013

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Texas Rangers' scout Hajime Watabe visited Tigers' camp on Saturday.  He reportedly recorded some footage of Fujinami tossing his bullpen session.

Source: Sanspo 2/3/2013, Sports Hochi 2/3/2013, Daily Sports 2/3/2013

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Koji Yamamoto visited Tigers' camp in Ginoza today.

Samurai Japan candidates: Atsushi Nomi and Takashi Toritani

Source: Nikkan Sports 2/3/2013

The Hanshin Tigers held a press conference for Kosuke Fukudome at a hotel in Osaka earlier today.  He was assigned the number eight.

Source: official announcement

(Additional information and interview coming)

===

UPDATE 1/6 @ 3:11am

Daily Sports has posted portions of the press conference:

What are you feeling right now?

I made them wait for my decision.  Part of me feels relieved the decision was made, another part is worried if everything will be ok.

What made you select Hanshin?

I have played in Kansai before.  I have memories of playing here.  I thought I could slide in fairly easily.  They were very enthusiastic during negotiations and they patiently waited until the end.  For that, I am grateful and happy.  That played a large role in the my decision.

You were assigned the number eight.

They gave me a few options.  It is not really about luck, but I have never worn the number and I selected it because I wanted to give it a try.

What about your spot in the line-up, or your position?

I think it would be impossible for me to move to the infield now, so I would like to play a position I have confidence in.  The manager will decide where I hit in the order.  I do not have a specific spot, but I do plan to prepare myself to hit somewhere in the middle.

Your impression of Koshien.

It is a wonderful stadium that can compete on the international stage.  The outfield grass, the infield dirt.  I think it a stadium of dreams for many players since high school.

What did you ask for this year?

I will be playing for a new team and do not want to get hurt.  But more than myself, I asked for the team to win a championship.

<post press conference interview with media>

Was this the first time you met [Yutaka] Wada?  What did you talk about?

It was the first time.  We did not have a chance to tall much, but there is still plenty of time.

[Matt] Murton will once again become a teammate.

He is a very serious player.  I am sure it must be difficult with so many reporters, but I am not worried because he is a good person.  Actually, I probably need to ask him questions since I have not been in Japan for a while.

Will you use the NPB baseball during your personal workouts?

Yes.  It makes no sense to use an MLB baseball, so I will use an NPB ball.

Did the manager talk about taking down the Giants?

Nothing really anything about taking down the Giants, but there are a lot of teams above us.  We need to beat all the teams in order to move up.  In the middle of all that, there is the special team, the Giants.  But in facing any of the teams, we need to fight with the same kind of feeling.  If we do that, I think we will be able to move up.

Hanshin has also struggled against your former team, Chunichi.

I think it will be fine if we can talk about how to deal with that, little by little from spring camp.

Source: Daily Sports 1/6/2013

Sponichi has also posted parts of the press conference:

Your thoughts on joining Hanshin.

Part of me feels relieves.  Another is worried if everything will be ok.  In looking at the number of reporters, I think things will be difficult, but I also think I will feel satisfied playing here.

What are your goals for this season?

I want to focus on batting average and on base percentage.  I can not really take my time, so I plan to go full force from the start.  I will do my best so fans can not question my presence.

You can pass on your MLB experiences to other players.

I learned a lot about conditioning in the US.  [Tsuyoshi] Nishioka is also returning.  If they feel it will help, then they should feel free to ask.

Hanshin ended in fifth last year.

I have not seen any footage.  More than taking down the Giants, there are many teams above us.  I think we will be fine if he play each team with the same kind of feeling.

Your impression of Koshien.

The outfield grass, the infield dirt.  It cannot be outdone anywhere in the world.  From high school, players dream about this stadium.

Source: Sponichi 1/5/2013

The Hanshin Tigers announced today that they will hold a press conference at a hotel in Osaka in early January to introduce Kosuke Fukudome (35).  He is expected to get the number right.

Source: Nikkan Sports 12/26/2012

Nikkan Sports has posted the following comments from Fukudome:

First, I want to say that I really appreciated Hanshin and Yokohama for waiting so long to hear my decision. In determining where I was going to play next season, returning to the Majors was my top priority.  I was able to do things according to my schedule.  I was able to conduct negotiations and then they waited for me.

I really had a difficult time with the decision.  If I were to pick based solely on money, then Yokohama provided an offer that was slightly higher.  But I ultimately wanted to play at Koshien.  I played high school baseball and Industrial League baseball in Kansai.  I wanted to play at Koshien one more time.

As a player, I feel strongly about winning, about winning a championship.  In looking for my next team, I realized this could be the last team I played for.  When I was with Chunichi, I remember thinking about how great Hanshin was.  I felt a desire to win with them.  As an outfielder, I also wanted to play on that wonderful natural grass.

During negotiations, I tried my best not to talk about how negotiations were going.  But unfortunately, a story that was not true was picked up by the media.  There was a report that I was asking for an amount that was entirely different from the truth.  I was surprised and honestly, a little confused.

I really appreciate Hanshin and Yokohama for waiting for my decision.

Source: Nikkan Sports 12/26/2012

Thirty-five-year-old Kosuke Fukudome has reportedly turned down the Yokohama Bay Stars.  Fukudome is expected to sign with the Hanshin Tigers.

According to Nikkan Sports, Fukudome had ended contract negotiations with all teams on the 23rd to gather his thoughts and discuss options with his agent and his management company.  The offers on the tables were all pretty much the same, but, according to some close to the discussions, the Tigers had the lead because of the natural grass at Koshien Stadium and because of sincerity.  The Hanshin organization also apparently managed to make some improvement to their original offer: two years guaranteed at 150 million a year, club option for the third year with buyout, and incentives that could push the total value of the deal to 750 million yen.

Sponichi places the max total of the deal at 600 million yen (base 150 million yen plus up to 50 million yen in incentives each year).  They also note that Fukudome ultimately chose the Tigers because they decided to ease the requirements on the incentives.  Hanshin could make an announcement of the deal as early as today.

Daily Sports mentions that Fukudome's agent phoned GM Shigeru Takada at around 1:00pm today to turn down Yokohama's offer.  The Bay Stars are now expected to shift their attention to foreign outfielders. Daily Sports also figures the max total of deal to be 600 million yen over three years (buyout available in third year).  They mention terms, sincerity, and intensity as reasons why Fukudome selected the Tigers over the Bay Stars.

Source: Sanspo 12/25/2012, Daily Sports 12/25/2012, Daily Sports 12/25/2012, Sports Hochi 12/25/2012 Nikkan Sports 12/25/2012, Sponichi 12/25/2012, Sponichi 12/25/2012

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UPDATE @ 6:47pm - Tigers informed reporters today that team president Nobuo Minami was informed of Fukudome's intent to sign with the team.  Source: Sponichi 12/25/2012

UPDATE @ 9:28pm - GM Katsuhiro Nakamura on Fukudome: "Perhaps Koshien was the reason why he picked [Hanshin].  I think he agreed with the goal of taking down the Giants at [Koshien].  His ability to hit will be a big plus."  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/25/2012

According to Daily Sports, when the Hashin Tigers spoke to Kosuke Fukudome's agent on the 17th, they were told Fukudome was seeking:

• a three-year deal
• a guaranteed 300 million yen a year plus 100 million yen in performance bonuses
• a salary that rises 100 million yen per season if performance bonuses are cleared (so his base guaranteed salary would be 300 million in year one, 400 million in year two, and 500 million in year three if performance bonuses are fully cleared)

That works out to 1.5 billion yen over three years if performance bonuses are cleared in all three years.

The Tigers' offer: a three-year deal worth a total 600 million yen, with a club buyout option for the third year.

"Their demands were well above what we were thinking.  There is no way we can afford it.  There are probably some areas where can compromise, but this is not the kind of gap that can easily be filled," said a Hanshin official.

Fukudome reportedly told someone close to him that it was down to "one or the other" and that he would sign with whichever team accommodated his wishes.

The Bay Stars were also apparently given the same information.

Source: Daily Sports 12/20/2012

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Yokohama Bay Stars president Jun Ikeda spoke to reporters on Thursday and said the team was not planning to make any changes to their most recent offer to Fukudome, which is said to be close to Hanshin's three-year deal worth 600 million yen.

Source: Daily Sports 12/20/2012

The Hanshin Tigers spoke to Kosuke Fukudome's agent over the phone for about twenty minutes on Monday.  The Tigers were first asked to improve on their two-year offer, but they declined and said they would not make changes to their base offer, but might be willing to lower the bar on the incentives, perhaps down to a point where they kick in so long as he wins a starting position and plays everyday.

"Based on today's conversation, it seems like [a decision] will come before the end of the year," said GM Katsuhiro Nakamura.  "It felt as if they were also in a rush to get this done.  [Fukudome] has also said similar things [to the press]."

He added, "It is the details.  We do not plan on making changes to the base offer, but we may make some changes to the incentives."

Chunichi Dragons team rep Ryohei Sato also spoke to reporters and said, "We spoke and we asked him to consider his relationship with the Dragons, not just as a player, but also ten years, twenty years down the road."  The Dragons are trying to compete with the Tigers and Yokohama Bay Stars not with money, but with a promise to support him in the future.

Source: Sanspo 12/18/2012

The Yokohama Bay Stars are planning to offer Fukudome the number twenty-seven.

Source: Sports Hochi 12/18/2012

The Bay Stars also spoke to Fukduome's agent on Monday.  They may have upped their offer from a two-year deal worth 300 million yen plus incentives to a two-year deal worth 400 million plus incentives and a a club option for a third year.

Source: Sponichi 12/18/2012

Tsuyoshi Wada currently maxes out at around sixty to seventy meters during long-distance throwing.  He is hoping to toss a bullpen session in February.  He could pitch in game-type situations as early as March or April.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/16/2012

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Koji Uehara left for the US out of Narita Airport on Sunday.  He is scheduled for a physical and if everything is good, his contract with the Boston Red Sox will become official.

"I want to play for a team that needs me.  I felt that the most with Boston.  Now, I just need to return that feeling," said Uehara.

Source: Nikkan Sports 12/16/2012

Uehara was a guest on TBS' Sunday Morning today and said that he would have seriously considered playing in the WBC if he got an invite.  Source: Sponichi 12/16/2012

===

The Hanshin Tigers and Yokohama Bay Stars are scheduled to speak to Fukudome's agent over the phone some time today.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/17/2012, Sponichi 12/17/2012, Sponichi 12/17/2012

The Tigers may be willing to up the incentives on their offer to Kosuke Fukudome.  Source: Sanspo 12/17/2012

Updates on Kosuke Fukdome:

• The Yokohama Bay Stars and Hanshin Tigers were informed that Fukudome decided to play in the Japan next year.  The Chunichi Dragons have yet to receive that update.
• The Tigers feel they submitted their best offer to Fukudome.  As such, they currently do not plan on extending negotiations with him because their "last offer was final."
• The Bay Stars are expected to meet with Fukudome again.
• The Tigers were told Fukudome is considering his domestic options and needs a little more time for a decision.
• The Tigers last met Fukudome on November 28 and may have offered him a three-year deal worth a total 600 million yen.  There are some reports that say the third year is a club option.
• The Bay Stars last met Fukudome on November 29.  They may have also met on December 8.  Their last offer may have been a two-year deal worth 300 million yen plus incentives.  They may be willing to go up to 400 million over two years, but may not want to go to three years.
• Rumor: Fukudome is apparently a heavy smoker and could be concerned about Yokohama's strict policy against smoking.

Source: Sanspo 12/15/2012, Sports Hochi 12/15/2012, Sports Hochi Osaka 12/15/2012, Nikkan Sports 12/15/2012, Daily Sports 12/15/2012, Sponichi 12/15/2012, Tokyo Sports 12/11/2012