Corporal punishment doesn't work in sports, says ex-MLB pitcher Kuwata

Former Yomiuri Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Masumi Kuwata has spoken out against corporal punishment in sports following the suicide of a Japanese high school student who endured repeated beatings by his basketball coach.

Kuwata said in an interview with National Broadcaster NHK: "I don't think corporal punishment as a form of instruction makes one stronger. I think those teaching sports need to change their methods to fit the times."

According to the Osaka municipal board of education, the 17-year-old student at Sakuranomiya Senior High School told his mother he had been struck 30 to 40 times the day before he hanged himself last month.

The 47-year-old coach, whose name has not been disclosed, admitted slapping the teen when he made a mistake and said it was intended to "fire him up," the board said.

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Teen pitcher Otani 'refreshed' to play for Fighters

SAPPORO — The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters introduced hard-throwing teenager Shohei Otani to the press on Tuesday after the club kept him in Japan by signing him to his first pro contract.

Formal introduction: Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Shohei Otani meets the press on Tuesday in Sapporo after he signed a contract. KYODO

Otani had announced his decision to turn pro with a major league club in November prior to be being named as the Fighters' first-round draft pick. The Pacific League champions then orchestrated a successful campaign to persuade the youngster to start his career in Nippon Professional Baseball.

"I feel refreshed and I have a really strong desire to do my best," he told a news conference.

The Hanamaki Higashi High School product signed for a 2013 salary of ?15 million with a ?100 million signing bonus and ?50 million in performance-based incentives — the maximum figures allowed by NPB for a first-year pro.

Otani will wear the same number that Yu Darvish wore with the Fighters, No. 11.

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Marines add pitcher Greisinger

CHIBA — The Chiba Lotte Marines said Monday they have acquired right-hander Seth Greisinger, who has won 47 games over five seasons in Japan.

The two sides have agreed to a one-year, $400,000 contract.

Greisinger, now 36, won at least 13 games in his first three years in Japan, leading the Central League with 16 wins in 2007 for the Yakult Swallows and 17 wins in 2008 for the Yomiuri Giants.

But he was 1-7 in just 15 appearances over the last two seasons, plagued by elbow problems.

"He's had a good career in Japan, and we hope he'll fill one of our rotation spots," said senior Lotte official Nobuhira Hayashi.

Greisinger has a record of 47-30 with a 3.25 ERA in Japan.

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