Continuing here from last week's column about Japan's upcoming Sanyo All-Star Series, this time with the focus on foreign players. There is a limit to how many gaikokujin can be included on the 28-man Central and Pacific League rosters, but with a bit of leeway.
Following the regular season rule, each all-star team can have up to four non-Japanese on its squad; two pitchers and two position players, one pitcher and three non-pitchers or three pitchers and one fielder. But foreigners voted onto the all-stars by fans are not counted against the quota.
Leading candidates to be elected or selected to the CL all-star list next month include first basemen Lee Seung Yeop of the Yomiuri Giants, Andy Sheets of the Hanshin Tigers, Adam Riggs of the Yakult Swallows and Tyrone Woods of the Chunichi Dragons.