It had been hoped the first tournament would be held next year, but last week Japanese baseball owners rejected plans – claiming the event was aimed purely at benefiting MLB teams.
The Korea Baseball Organisation (KBO) and Japan Professional Baseball federations both rejected plans for the tournament last week, claiming the event would clash with the NPB’s domestic league and that the event was, claimed the KBO, designed to benefit the MLB and its players association rather than the other competing nations.
Both nations have vowed to boycott any event next year.
Now, it appears, baseball chiefs in the US are prepared to wait to ensure the event is competed by the Asian nations.
Said Bob DuPuy, MLB’s chief operating officer: “We look forward to doing it with the Japanese and the Koreans if at all possible.
“But if we're going to put it on next spring then we've got to know we're going to put it on within 30 days.”
He suggested a decision should be made by the time of the next owners meeting on August 18-19.
Major League Baseball chiefs will travel to Japan for talks next month, as speculation mounts the inaugural baseball World Cup may be pushed back 12 months.
