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National News

Rakuten awarded pro baseball team

Representatives of Japan's professional baseball teams Nov. 2 gave approval to Internet shopping mall Rakuten's application to form a new team for the 2005 season.

Rakuten was one of two Japanese Internet companies applying to enter Japanese professional baseball next season after the merger of the Orix BlueWave and the Kintetsu Buffaloes led to a reduction in the number of teams in the Pacific League from six to five.

It will be the first new team, excluding cases of mergers or acquisitions, since the creation of the now-defunct Takahashi Unions in the Pacific League in 1954.

"I'm delighted with today's decision," said Rakuten team general manager Marty Kuehnert.

Rakuten was considered the favorite over rival Internet services company Livedoor. Rakuten president Hiroshi Mikitani has connections in Japanese business circles and operates J. League team Vissel Kobe through a separate company.(AP)

Shukan ST: Nov. 12, 2004

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National News Rakuten awarded pro baseball team Representatives of Japan's professional baseball teams Nov. 2 gave approval to Internet shopping mall Rakuten's application to form a new team for the 2005 season. Rakuten was one of two Japanese Internet companies applying to enter Japanese professional baseball next season after the merger of the Orix BlueWave and the Kintetsu Buffaloes led to a reduction in the number of teams in the Pacific League from six to five. It will be the first new team, excluding cases of mergers or acquisitions, since the creation of the now-defunct Takahashi Unions in the Pacific League in 1954. "I'm delighted with today's decision," said Rakuten team general manager Marty Kuehnert. Rakuten was considered the favorite over rival Internet services company Livedoor. Rakuten president Hiroshi Mikitani has connections in Japanese business circles and operates J. League team Vissel Kobe through a separate company.(AP) Shukan ST: Nov. 12, 2004 (C) All rights reserved