Japan's players go on strike, weekend games called off

TOKYO (AP) _ Baseball players in Japan are going on strike for the first time in the sport's history there. <br/><br/>Games this weekend are being called off after extended negotiations with team officials

Friday, September 17th 2004, 9:27 am

By: News On 6

TOKYO (AP) _ Baseball players in Japan are going on strike for the first time in the sport's history there.

Games this weekend are being called off after extended negotiations with team officials failed to bear fruit.

At the heart of the dispute is the merger of two Pacific League teams -- the Kintetsu Buffaloes and the Orix BlueWave. Players want that deal frozen for a year, but owners say that's impossible given the financial conditions of the teams.

The strike wipes out all of this weekend's games and possibly all weekend games for the rest of the season.