The Oita HeatDevils' budgetary woes aren't surprising to longtime observers of the league. But the temerity with which they begged fans for money to help them make ends meet for the 2011-12 season caught people's attention over the weekend.
And that wasn't just in Japan. Shortly after an Associated Press story detailing the HeatDevils' situation was filed from Tokyo, it was posted on the USA Today website with the attention-grabbing headline: "Japan team asks fans for money."
The team said it needs ¥45 million more by Friday after securing ¥80 million for next season's budget.