Japanese baseball has finally decided to have one official ball supplier — Mizuno Corp. — from next season.
Nippon Professional Baseball's executive committee said Monday all 12 clubs think Mizuno is better than three other ball manufacturers in terms of production and supply.
Japanese baseball is using four different kinds of baseballs this season.
In January, reform-minded NPB commissioner Ryozo Kato proposed using one kind of ball as in the major leagues.
In addition, the NPB urged all 12 clubs to avoid any link with gang members after two sumo stablemasters were punished by the Japan Sumo Association for giving gang members ringside sumo tickets.