Another Loss to Yakult / The Yokohama Brand

Having missed last night's 1-3 loss to Yakult I don't really have much commentary beyond box score observations.

For example, I see that Takayuki Makka made his second start of the season. He had pitched really well against the Giants for his NPB debut (throwing 6 innings, allowing just 2 runs; 2 solo home runs by Alex Ramirez) and not figuring in the decision. This time out he allowed 3 runs in the second inning, two on a 2-run home run by Jamie D'Antona. (Argh! The cursed long ball!) Makka did manage to get out of a bases loaded jam in the 3rd, then was pinch hit for in the top of the 4th.

The remaining BayStar pitchers kept them in the game, only allowing one hit from the 4th inning on. But the offense only managed to scrape together an unearned run in the 4th inning off of Yakult starter Yoshinori Satoh.

-----

But on to the latest news on the potential change of ownership. BayStars fans have continued to express their worry about leaving Yokohama, and now management have come out to try to quell those fears.

Wakabayashi-owner stated that one of the conditions for TBS' buyout from Maruha was that the team remain in Yokohama with the name "Yokohama BayStars." And with the "brand power" of the "Yokohama BayStars" name, he would request that the potential buyers do the same, i.e. remain the Yokohama BayStars.

The only thing that still bothers me is that there isn't an individual face representing the JS Group yet. What is the personality of this group? How do they plan on promoting the team (above or below their home improvement products)? What kinds of changes are they planning (other than moving to Niigata)?

There still isn't enough information being released in regards to these talks. This announcement was a good start. Now let's keep everything in the open, Wakabayashi-owner, and you'll have the support of the fans. Right now they're just afraid of the unknown.

Here's what I gathered. Aside from TBS' worsening financial situation in non-baseball operation, what seems to be at stake is the horrible contract that the BayStars had to make with the stadium, which is owned by numerous entities (the city, non-TBS broadcasting companies, etc.) with 1-5% share each. With that contract in effect and less than half full stadium, they just couldn't find a way to make it even, let alone make a profit.

I don't know if that contract carries over or a new owner doesn't have to abide by that. But they sure can use it to buy the BayStars cheap if they agree to stay in Yokohama.

I say there are only two stadiums left where a professional baseball team can be based on. Niigata and Kurashiki. But I just don't think Niigata can sustain a professional baseball team. But they can use this card too in their negotiation.