Cuba to Play CPBL Team in Exhibition in November

The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) announced that the Cuban national team will be making a trip to Taiwan to play a two game set in November.

The game will pit the current world #1 team in Cuba against the best that the CPBL has to offer.

Game 1 will be on November 12 at Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taichung. Game 2 will be the following day at the Taoyuan International Baseball Stadium in Taoyuan.

It is also rumored that Cuba is looking to add either Japan or South Korea or both to its Asia trip.

The series is being called the 2012 CPBL vs Cuba Games and will be fully sanctioned by the IBAF. This is just one of many events by international baseball committees in an effort to promote the game internationally in hopes that they will receive reinstatement at the Olympic Games

Dominican Winter League

•Jose Ramirez (2B, Toros del Este): 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K. Ramirez recently turned 20 years old in September and had a breakout campaign last season with a very strong year at Low-A Lake County (.354 AVG, .869 OPS), and is off to a very good start this fall. He has now played in 6 games in the DWL and is a healthy 7-for-17 with 4 walks in limited action, and has received a lot more playing time over the past week as he has played in his team’s last 4 games.

•Tim Fedroff (LF, Aguilas Cibaenas): 3-for-4. Fedroff entered the game just 7-for-32 (.219) in his last 9 games, so a multi-hit game is great to see - his first since his first game back on October 14th. He is hitting a healthy .286 this offseason and also has 8 walks, though just 1 of his 16 hits have gone for an extra base.

•Danny Salazar (SP, Tigres del Licey): 3.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR. This was Salazar’s 4th appearance of the fall, and was the first outing he really struggled. To date, he has an ordinary 4.50 ERA, but his peripherals are very good to outstanding where in 10.0 innings he has allowed 10 hits, 3 walks, and has 13 strikeouts.

•Juan Diaz (SS, Estrellas de Oriente): 1-for-2, R, 2B, K. Diaz was pinch hit for to lead off the bottom of the 7th inning, but got a much needed hit as he has really struggled at the plate this fall. Coming into the game he had been held hitless in 7 of his last 8 games, and is now just 5-for-28 (.179) in 12 games.

Marlins' Villaneuva proves almost unhittable
Right-hander scatters two hits over five shutout innings as Toros topple Leones
MLB.com | 11/05/12 9:01 PM ET

Dominican Winter League

Este 5, Escogido 0

Miami right-hander Elih Villanueva (1-1) scattered two hits over five innings and the bullpen took care of the rest as the Toros blanked the Leones to earn their fourth consecutive victory. Jose Constanza (Braves) was 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI from the top of the order, and Rockies Major Leaguer Matt McBride was 2-for-3 with a homer -- his first in Winter League play -- and two RBIs. Orioles farmhand Pedro Florimon collected two hits in the loss. Giants hurler Justin Fitzgerald (1-1) surrendered three runs -- two earned -- on eight hits over five innings for Escogido, which lost its third straight.

Cibaenas 6, Licey 1

Tim Fedroff (Indians) went 3-for-4 and big league veteran Tim Corcoran (Dodgers) struck out six batters over 6 1/3 one-run innings as the Aguilas remained at the top of the standings with their fourth win in a row. Catcher Francisco Pena (Mets) doubled twice and plated three runs, and 2002 Most Valuable Player Miguel Tejada slugged a two-run homer in his second game for Cibaenas. Right-hander Danny Salazar (Indians) allowed three runs -- two earned -- on four hits and a walk while striking out three batters over three innings, while shortstop Dee Gordon (Dodgers) collected two hits to raise his average to .339 in the loss.

Cibao 6, Oriente 4

Shortstop Jean Segura (Brewers) was 3-for-5 with a run scored and designated hitter Jimmy Paredes (Astros) homered and drove in three runs as the Gigantes held off the Estrellas to move a game above .500. Orioles southpaw Pedro Viola (1-0) worked 1 2/3 innings of one-hit relief to earn the victory. Starting pitcher Kevin Pucetas (Nationals) surrendered two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three batters over 4 1/3 frames. Infielder Junior Lake (Cubs) recorded three doubles and an RBI out of the No. 2 hole, while A's outfield prospect Eliezer Mesa tripled and plated two runs for Oriente, which fell out of a tie for first place with its fourth consecutive defeat.

Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012

Fighters' Tanaka declares intent to play in majors

Kyodo

SAPPORO —

Kensuke Tanaka, an offensive and defensive spark plug for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters for the past seven seasons, announced Tuesday he would file for free agency and pursue a career in the major leagues.

The left-handed-hitting second baseman burst on to the scene in 2006, when the Fighters won their first Japan Series title in Sapporo and has a career batting average of .286 with 161 stolen bases.

The 31-year-old, who has five Golden Gloves, made his home at Sapporo Dome, one of Japan's best pitcher's parks. He has scored 524 runs with 325 RBIs in 1,079 games.

"Since about four years ago, I became interested in the majors," Tanaka said. "That feeling got stronger little by little to the point where I wanted to take on the challenge, and today I have filed (for free agency). I have to think that playing in a different environment can add to my career in baseball.

"I don't particularly hit home runs, and I don't have any power. I will be happy if people come to feel that a player like that can compete anywhere in the world."

"If there is a team willing to offer me a chance, then I'll be happy to play in whatever role they give me."

Although he missed just one game between 2007 and 2010, Tanaka missed all but 49 games in the 2011 season with a broken ankle, while a ruptured ligament in his left elbow ended his 2012 season on Aug. 29.

"I had decided to go this route regardless of how this season went," he said. "Being injured didn't shake that resolve at all."

Rangers eye Fujikawa: report

Kyodo

ARLINGTON, Texas —

The Texas Rangers are among several major league teams who have shown interest in Hanshin Tigers closer Kyuji Fujikawa, who will use his status as an unrestricted free agent to try to move overseas, the Dallas Morning News reported on its online edition on Monday.

"His top pitches are the fastball and the split-finger fastball. He has more velocity than right-hander Koji Uehara, another former NPB reliever who spent the last 1 1/2 seasons with the Rangers," it said.

The report said Fujikawa, who posted 24 saves with a 1.32 ERA in 47 2/3 innings this season with Hanshin, has also been scouted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 32-year-old has a career record of 42-25 with 220 saves and a 1.77 ERA. He has struck out 914 batters in 692 1/3 innings.

Who will be Asia's No. 1? 2012 Asia Series starts Thursday

By Jung Min-ho

The curtain is set to rise on the 2012 Asia Series, bringing some of the continent’s best baseball clubs to Busan’s Sajik Stadium from Thursday to Sunday.

The Samsung Lions and Lotte Giants of Korea, Yomiuri Giants from Japan, Australia’s Perth Heat, the Lamigo Monkeys of Taiwan and the Chinese All-Star squad the China Stars will compete to become Asia’s No. 1 team and 500 million won ($450,000) prize money.

The Korean Series champions Lions will represent the home nation along with hosts the Giants. The Lions became the first Korean team to win this tournament after defeating the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in last year’s final, and if they defend the title, they will become the first back-to-back victors.

The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) champions Giants are expected to provide the stiffest challenge. Yomiuri cleanup hitter Shinnosuke Abe, who wrapped up the regular season with the No. 1 .340 batting average and 104 RBIs, is probably their most lethal weapon.

Their former cleanup hitter, Lee Seung-yeop, left the team last year and rejoined the Lions. He only managed a .163 batting average with five homers and 11 RBIs in 56 games of the 2010-2011 season but said he doesn’t harbor any hard feelings toward the Tokyo-based club. Before knee and finger injuries hampered him, Lee had a great first year in Japan hitting .323 with 41 home runs and 108 RBIs in 2006.

The 36-year-old saw a return to form this season, finishing with a .307 average, 21 home runs and 85 RBIs on the way to winning the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) title.

Since the two teams have been drawn in different groups, the only way for Lee to face his old club is to advance to Sunday’s final. The Lions, the Monkeys and the Stars are in Group A with the Lotte Giants, the Yomiuri Giants and the Heat are in Group B.

Sydney Blue Sox pitcher Koo Dae-sung returned to Korea Tuesday after a two-year stint in Australia. The 45-year-old southpaw was invited to play for the Heat during the event in an attempt to promote Australian baseball. The Australian Baseball League proposed the idea last year and the KBO accepted it.

Although Kim Si-jin has been appointed as the Lotte Giants’ new manager, succeeding Yang Seung-ho who stepped down last week, he will not be in charge of the team during the tournament. Instead, coach Kwon Doo-jo will act as interim manager.

Following the game between the Monkeys and the Stars at 12 p.m. Thursday, the Lotte Giants will face the Heat at 6 p.m.

Japanese teams have won four of the five Asian Series since 2005. It was not held in 2009 and 2010 due to financial issues, after sponsor Konami pulled out after the 2008 competition. Japan hosted the first four tournaments and this will be the second time for it to be held outside of Japan. Last year’s event was held in Taiwan.

Darvish bows out of World Baseball Classic

By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com | 11/06/12 6:45 PM ET

ARLINGTON --

Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish has decided not to pitch for Japan next spring in the World Baseball Classic.

Darvish, who was a member of the Japanese team that won the Classic in 2009, issued a statement through the Rangers on Tuesday that said he would not participate in the 2013 tournament.

"After much deliberation, which has included a lot of consultation with my coaches and trainers, I have decided that I will not play in the upcoming World Baseball Classic," Darvish said. "This was a very difficult decision for me as it is always a tremendous honor to represent my native country of Japan. I greatly enjoyed being a part of the 2009 Championship ballclub and I will be supporting this year's team as they look to defend their title. There are many very talented players in Japan and I am confident this team will uphold Japan's great tradition in this event."

Darvish is coming off his first season in the United States and was 16-9 with a 3.90 ERA in 29 starts and 191 innings. He was also the starter and losing pitcher in the Rangers' 5-1 loss to the Orioles in the American League Wild Card Game.

"Given my substantial workload over the last few seasons and the numerous changes I've endured in my move to the United States, I have decided with my team of advisors that getting ample rest is the most important thing for me right now as I prepare for the 2013 season," Darvish said. "My ultimate goal is to help win a World Series with the Texas Rangers and to share that accomplishment with the great baseball fans in Japan. I look forward to next season and am excited about our chances of winning."

The Rangers also issued a statement that said, "Yu has informed the Rangers of his plans regarding the 2013 World Baseball Classic. We support what had to be a very difficult decision for him to make. He made an outstanding transition in his first year in Major League Baseball and we look forward to another strong season from him in 2013."

Darvish was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in five games, including two starts, for Japan in 2009. He earned the victory in the championship game against Korea and also closed out the semifinal victory over the United States.

Darvish would have been a huge part of the Japanese team next spring. He pitched seven seasons in Japan and was 93-38 with a 1.99 ERA in 167 games with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Rangers last winter.

"I know it was a tough decision for him," general manager Jon Daniels said. "When he takes the mound for us, he's not only representing us but his country as well. And he wanted to be sure he does everything he can to prepare for that. He felt this was the way to go and we support him in that."

The Rangers have a number of players who could be sought after by their home country to play next spring in the Classic. Outfielder Nelson Cruz played for the Dominican Republic in 2009 and Adrian Beltre played for it in 2006. Shortstop Elvis Andrus will likely be asked by Venezuela to play and so could pitcher Martin Perez. Catcher Geovany Soto played for Puerto Rico in 2009 and Michael Young played for the United States in 2006.

Josh Hamilton was asked to play for the United States in 2009 but declined. Second baseman Ian Kinsler could be a candidate for next year's United States team.

Rick Sweet was fired by the Leones Caracas

The manager went to the United States today.

CARACAS. -

Rick Sweet was dismissed from the post of manager of the Leones del Caracas . This morning he left on a flight bound for Atlanta, as confirmed by our reporter César Augusto Marquez . The U.S. manager traveled to his country, Wednesday morning, on a flight of Delta Air Lines. Luis Avila , will give a press conference to discuss the future of the club and its leadership. Currently, Caracas is 11-10 (.523) and on a four-game winning streak. Yesterday, Carlos Subero was fired as manager of the Mazatlan Deer and could be among the options to take charge of the Caracas team.

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Ball

Manny will debut next week with Aguilas

11/06/2012 03:46 PM - Roberto Mateo

Said and done.

The major league baseball player, Manny Ramirez came to the country last night and since Tuesday was in the uniform of the Cibao Eagles team and will play this tournament. The player said during the press conference that he will debut with the Eagles next week, after discussion with the press, Ramirez went to the field to make his first practice with the team.

Ramirez did not see action in the Dominican winter baseball since 1994-1995 season, when he played with the same team.

Jose Ramirez

Looks like Jose Ramirez has got this winterball thing all figured out. So far this evening, Jose is 2-3 with a run score and is hitting a very healthy .450 getting his first taste of the winterball experience.

Prior to this evening's ballgame, Ramirez's stats look something like this:

Lake, Perez come through in Estrellas' win

Cubs prospects total five hits, four RBIs, three runs scored to end skid

11/07/12 2:16 AM ET
Junior Lake ranked 10th in the Southern League in batting, adding 10 homers and 50 RBIs. (Kevin Hill/MLB.com)

Dominican Winter League

Estrellas 9, Toros 2

Junior Lake went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI and fellow Cubs prospect Nelson Perez slugged a pinch three-run homer as the Estrellas ended a four-game slide. A's prospect Eliezer Mesa contributed three hits and scored twice for Oriente, while Jose Ramirez (Indians) had two hits and a run scored for the Toros.

Aguilas 8, Gigantes 4

Former Marlins farmhand Juan Carlos Perez hit a three-run homer, doubled twice and scored three times to lead the first-place Aguilas to their fifth straight win. Hector Luna chipped in a two-run double for Cibaenas, while Astros outfielder Jimmy Paredes drove in all four runs for the Gigantes.

Escogido 10, Licey 7

Pirates outfielder Starling Marte hit a two-run homer and scored twice to power the Leones, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Wilkin Castillo and Red Sox slugger Mauro Gomez also had two RBIs apiece for Escogido, while Braves infielder Juan Francisco had collected two hits and drove in two runs for Licey.

Venezuelan Winter League

La Guaira 9, Caracas 5, 10 innings

C.J. Retherford had two hits, including a go-ahead RBI single in the 10th inning, as the Tiburones outlasted the Leones for their third straight win. Fellow Dodgers prospect Alex Castellanos drove in a pair of runs for La Guaira, while Henry Wrigley (Rays) delivered a two-run single in the eighth for Caracas.

Magallanes 8, Aragua 3

Royals farmhand Mario Lisson went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored as the Navegantes handed the last-place Tigres their 10th straight setback. Angels prospect Darwin Perez also drove in two runs with a pair of singles for Magallanes, while Astros Minor Leaguer Jose Martinez homered and had a pair of RBIs for Aragua.

Lara at Caribes, suspended

Mexican Pacific League

Guasave 8, Obregon 6

Orioles farmhand Zelous Wheeler hit a solo homer, doubled and scored three times as the Algodoñeros climbed into a second-place tie. Twins prospect Chris Colabello also went yard, drove in two runs and scored twice for Guasave, while Barbaro Canizares homered twice and plated three runs for the Yaquis.

Los Mochis 3, Culiacan 0

Tomas Solis allowed four hits over six innings and grabbed a share of the league lead with his third win as the Cañeros blanked the first-place Tomateros. Former Major Leaguer Jason Botts and Saul Soto both reached base three times and drove in a run for Los Mochis. Pirates prospect Ali Solis and Yankees farmhand Ramiro Peña each had two hits for Culiacan.

Hermosillo 7, Mexicali 3

Braves prospect Todd Cunningham went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer out of the leadoff spot, sparking the Naranjeros to their second straight win. Carlos Gastelum contributed four hits and scored a run for Hermosillo, which got two hits and two RBIs from Jose Aguilar. Marlins Minor Leaguer Luke Montz delivered a run-scoring single in a losing effort.

Mazatlan 10, Navojoa 7

Jose Orozco fell a triple shy of the cycle and drove in four runs as the last-place Venados halted a three-game losing streak. Oswaldo Morejon also had three hits, including a two-run homer, for Mazatlan, while Genaro Andrade slugged a three-run blast in a losing effort.

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Dominican Winter League

•Juan Diaz (SS): 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI. Diaz got hits four and five for the offseason league last night, improving to a .219 batting average. It is not pretty, but at least Diaz has all this Asdrubal Cabrera trade talk to cheer him up; he stands to gain quite a bit from such a trade.

•Jose Ramirez (2B): 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB. Another day, another few hits. At this point, Ramirez is simply automatic, with a hit in every one of his six games so far. Ramirez did not have much buzz coming into the year, but he has made himself into a legitimate prospect.

•Tim Fedroff (LF): 0-for-5, 1 R, 1 SO. I am not putting much stock in these winter ball stats, but Fedroff's real issue with extra base hits (he only has one in 16 games) is certainly something to keep an eye on.

•Matt McBride (RF): 0-for-3, 1 BB. Ah, the forgotten man of the Ubaldo Jimenez trade. In all seriousness, McBride is one of my favorite Aeros from my three years watching the team and I wish he was doing better (11-for-61, 11:3 SO:BB) in the winter league.

•Kelvin De La Cruz (RP): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 SO. Another former Cleveland farmhand, De La Cruz is now up to 6.1 scoreless innings in the Dominican League. It is not much, but it is a start.

By Jim Piascik

Shinnosuke Abe resulta una de las caras importantes de Japón en el roster anunciado para enfrentar a Cuba. Abe representó a su país en los Juegos Olímpicos de Sidney en el 2008 y el Clásico Mundial 2009.


Japan announces roster vs Cuba

by Ray Otero

November 6, 2012

Japan announced their roster that will face Cuba on November16 and 18, as part of the preparation of both teams appearance in the third edition of the World Baseball Classic to be held in March 2013.

Shinnosuke Abe is one of the major faces of Japan announced on the roster to face Cuba. Abe represented his country at the Sydney Olympics in 2008 and the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
The Asian team, led by the legendary Koji Yamamoto, features four receivers, six infielders, six outfielders and thirteen pitchers. The team consists of what could be the future of the Japanese team's entry in the World Baseball Classic tournament that are the undisputed kings by virture of their two wins in the 2006 and 2009 editions. Ultimately The Team is as follows:

Catchers (4): Shinnosuke Abe (Yomiuri Giants), Ginjiro Sumitani (Seibu Lions), Motohiro Shima (Rakuten Eagles) y Yuhei Nakamura (Yakult Swallows).

Infielders (6): Hirokazu Ibata (Chunichi Dragons), Nobuhiro Matsuda (Softbank Hawks), Hayato Sakamoto (Yomiuri Giants), Shota Dobayashi (Hiroshima Carp), Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (DeNA BayStars) y Yuichi Honda (Softbank Hawks).

Outfielders (6): Yoshio Itoi (Nippon Ham Fighters), Hisayoshi Chono (Yomiuri Giants), Yohei Oshima (Chunichi Dragons), Shogo Akiyama (Seibu Lions), Takahiro Okada (Orix Buffaloes), Katsuya Kakunaka (Lotte Marines).

Pitchers (13): Shun Yamaguchi (DeNA BayStars), Hirokazu Sawamura (Yomiuri Giants), Kyohei Muranaka (Yakult Swallows), Shigeru Kaga (DeNA BayStars), Kan Otake (Hiroshima Carp), Hideaki Wakui (Seibu Lions), Masahiko Morifuku (Softbank Hawks), Kazuya Tsutsui (Hanshin Tigers), Yuki Saito (Nippon Ham Fighters), Yudai Ono (Chunichi Dragons), Takeru Imamura (Hiroshima Carp), Kenji Otonari (Softbank Hawks) y Kentaro Nishimura (Yomiuri Giants).

A couple of very good teams. Should be fun to watch.

Home / Sports

Thu, Nov 08, 2012 - Page 20　

Lamigo Monkeys to start Asia Series facing CBL All-stars

By Paul Huang / Contributing reporter

With an unprecedented six-team pool ready to compete, the 2012 Asia Series is scheduled to start at the Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan, South Korea, this afternoon with the Lamigo Monkeys of Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) taking on the Chinese Baseball League (CBL) All-stars in a highly anticipated match.

The originally four-team tournament, formerly known as the Konami Cup, which was intended for the champs from the four Asian countries (China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan) that play baseball at the professional level to compete for the right to be named Asia’s top team, has expanded to a field of six squads this year, with the champs from Australia’s Australian Baseball League (ABL) and the Lotte Giants of Busan also taking part.

The six teams are divided into two pools this year with the champs from South Korea’s Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), the Samsung Lions, the Monkeys and the CBL All-stars playing in Group A, while the Lotte Giants, the Perth Heat of the ABL and Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) champs, the Yomiuri Giants, are set to do battle in Group B.

Teams from each group are to play the other two teams in the preliminary round, before the winner from each group meets in the title game on Sunday.

‘HONOR’

“It’s quite an honor to be able to represent Taiwan in this year’s event; we have a good team and we will try our best to bring home the title,” Lamigo skipper Hong Yi-chung said late last week before the team left for Busan.

The Primates will have a chance to improve on their second-place finish in 2006, when their predecessors, the La New Bears, lost to the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters in the title game in a 1-0 heartbreaker.

While the game against the Chinese may be slightly in favor of the Monkeys, the match against the Lions tomorrow night is definitely going to be an uphill battle for the Taiwanese as the home team will try every trick in the book to keep the Monkeys from reaching the title game on Sunday.

GROUP B

In Group B, the Yomiuri Giants are the unquestioned favorites to win the preliminaries as the Japanese look to extend their dominance in this competition, having won four of the five series played thus far, with their lone loss to the South Koreans coming last year when the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks dropped a 5-3 decision to the Samsung Lions.

Should the Lotte Giants top the Yomiuri Giants in the “battle of the Giants,” Sunday’s title game could very well be an all-Korean affair.

Managers in Asia Series baseball tournament predict S. Korea-Japan final


Published : 2012-11-07 19:36

Managers participating in a continental baseball club championship here predicted on Wednesday a South Korea-Japan final for the regional bragging rights.

On the eve of the Asia Series, to be held here in Busan from Thursday to Sunday, managers of the six clubs in action said representatives from the host country and its long-time rival will likely clash for the title.

The Asia Series will pit six clubs from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China and Australia against each other.

South Korea's Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) will have the 2012 champions, Samsung Lions, plus the Busan-based Lotte Giants.

The Lions are the reigning Asia Series champions. Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), whose teams had won the Asia Series every year until 2011, is represented by the Yomiuri Giants.

The Perth Heat is the Australian team as the champion of the Australian Baseball League (ABL). Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) has sent the Lamigo Monkeys, and the China Baseball League (CBL) will have an All-Star squad named the China Stars.

At a press conference held here, managers said they expect the Lions and the Yomiuri Giants to battle for the title.

The six teams have been divided into two groups of three, and after round-robin play over three days, the top clubs from the two groups will meet in the final on Sunday.

The Lions, the Stars and the Monkeys are in Group A. The Lotte Giants, the Yomiuri Giants and the Heat are paired in Group B.

Song Ping Shan, manager of the Stars, said China still lags behind its Northeast Asian rivals in baseball and his squad will take this Asia Series as a learning experience.

"I think the Korean and Japanese teams are better than the others," Song said through an interpreter. "It'd be great if our team could win it all, but we're not quite there yet."

Hong I Chung, who manages the Monkeys, said he came into the tournament knowing how strong KBO and NPB teams are.

"We're here to learn from them as much as we can," Hong said.

"I hope our players can grow by playing in these games."

The Monkeys upset the Lions 3-2 at the 2006 Asia Series. These two teams will meet again in their group stage on Friday. Hong said both teams have much different rosters in 2012 and that the Lions are a much better team this year.

"We don't have any specific strategy in that game other than to play hard," Hong said. "I hope to have a good result in the end."

The Lions' manager Ryu Joong-il said he wasn't yet ready to look ahead to the final, noting that he'd first have to get past the Monkeys and the Stars in the group stage.

"I think there's more parity in Asian baseball today," he said.

"Yomiuri is a strong team but I think the Monkeys are a dark horse this week. Obviously, our goal is to make the final, and a game against Yomiuri will be fascinating."

Tatsunori Hara, Yomiuri's manager, tried to temper expectations placed on his club, which is missing some key players from the Japan Series-winning roster.

"You never know what can happen in baseball," he said. "Our goals is to do our best and to be there at the end."

The Monkeys and the Stars will open the tournament at noon Thursday, followed by the tilt between the Lotte Giants and the Heat at 6 p.m.

From Thursday to Saturday, there will be two games each day, starting at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday's final is set to begin at 2 p.m.

The Asia Series began in 2005, pitting champions from South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and either an All-Star team or the league champion from China against each other. Konami, a Japanese game company, sponsored the tournament from 2005 to 2008, but pulled out after 2008, citing declining interest.

In 2009, the KBO and the NPB held a single club championship match in Japan and the KBO, NPB and CPBL champions met in Taiwan the following year. These events were not called the Asia Series. (Yonhap News)

Frank Kremblas returns Caracas

11/06/2012 4:23:45 PM

The American assumes command of the Leones starting next week

CARACAS. -

The American Frank Kremblas was announced as the new manager of the Caracas Lions , after the dismissal of his compatriot Rick Sweet . "Kremblas is known to all. During his time with the Caracas Lions had a great experience," said the president, Luis Avila . Kremblas led the Lions in 2008-2009 and left a record of 42 wins and 21 defeats. For today and tomorrow, Lions will be led on an interim basis by David Davalillo, the team's bench coach. "Kremblas arrives Thursday night. On Friday the team will start to run, "said Avila. Upon exit of Rick Sweet, Avila said: "We are pleased with the record 11-10. We do not like losing." Kremblas was fired from Magallanes Navigators in their final passage through the country in 2010-2011. His record with the shipowners was 17 wins 12 losses. "The main attribute of Kremblas is that he is a manager who wins. He has been proven this," said Avila.