Notebook
Lotte Infielder Toshiaki Imae, the Japan Series MVP, made a personal appearance today in Chiba Prefecture before 800 fams along with closer Masahide Kobayashi. Imae said that he will attempt to use his team's spring camp in Australia as a way to help him mentally adjust to playing overseas in the WBC. He has also been watching ESL programs on NHK as well, though he recognizes that it might help, but that alone won't be enough to get him ready for the international tourney. When Imae was a boy, he was also part of a Japanese Boys League squad that played a tournament in Hawaii. 

Kobayashi is in the midst of a holdout right now, as team management won't improve on the approximately $2 million he currently makes due to the eight blown saves Kobayashi suffered last season. He asserted that he isn't particularly obsessed about concluding negotiations by the time he has to report for spring camp, though it does appear that he will be there, albeit at his own expense. 

Nippon Ham The Fighters advance scouting department will be attending a lot of Central League games this season in hopes of improving on their 2005 interleague showing. In addition, they will be focusing special attention on new Orix signings Kazuhiro Kiyohara and Norihiro Nakamura so that they can maintain their edge over the Buffaloes (13-7 against themn last season). 

Seibu If Daisuke Matsuzaka is unable to start on Opening Day at Seibu Dome due his participation in the WBC, Fumiya Nishiguchi will be inserted in to that role. However, who will make the start for the second outing is still up in the air. Second year man Hideaki Wakui said he would be very happy indeed if he were given the assignment. 

Speaking of Matsuzaka, he is reported by Sankei Sports to be taking over as the team players union rep, replacing the departed Tatsuya Ozeki. Teammate Kazuhiro Wada is the vice chairman of the union. 

Reliever Chikara Onodera is looking for a nickname for himself. His teammates currently call him "Riki" because it is another way to read the kanji character of his name plus it sounds like an American name. 

Softbank Pacific League MVP and ERA titlist Toshiya Sugiuchi made a personal appearance earlier today and posited that it might be better if he hits a few people this coming season. The lefty finished with no HBP in 2005. He reportedly has Orix slugger Kazuhiro Kiyohara in his sights, as he noted that the ex-Seibu and Yomiuri first baseman likes to get extended and hit the outside pitch. By backing Kiyohara off with his low 90's fastball, Sugiuchi evidently hopes that it will leave the outside corner more open for his lethal changeup. Sugiuchi then went on to add that he wants to finally beat Daisuke Matsuzaka before the Lions righty heads off to the majors. Dating back to high school, Sugiuchi is zip for four against Seibu's ace.