Japan Baseball

The Orix Buffaloes will accept a ruling that effectively allows the Softbank Hawks to sign with RHP Jeremy Powell following a contract dispute between the two Japanese League clubs, a senior Orix official said. Orix said it would back off from its bid to acquire Powell after acting Japanese baseball commissioner Yasuchika Negoro issued a ruling in favor of Softbank. Orix and Softbank both announced the acquisition of Powell in January, claiming the validity of their respective deals. Powell has made clear his intention of joining the Hawks, who offered the more lucrative of the two deals. (JapanBall.com, 3/25/08)