Nippon Professional Baseball said Monday that it will hold talks with its players union on Wednesday regarding the players' participation in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
NPB has agreed to field a team in the third edition of the WBC, which Japan won in 2006 and 2009. In July, however, the union resolved not to participate unless Japan is given the rights to its own licensing and sponsorship revenues. On Aug. 13, an NPB delegation went to New York to try and win concessions from tournament organizers that would bring the players on board.
"I don't know what the feeling is (among the players)," said Hiroshima Carp executive Kiyoaki Suzuki, who met with union chairman Takahiro Arai on Friday in his capacity as chairman of NPB's committee on players relations. "The union has to decide this (at an emergency session)."
"I doubt if this will be concluded (on Wednesday)."
Even if Japan does not take part in the WBC, international friendly matches are on the schedule for November, and a manager and team will need to be selected as quickly as possible.