ABSTRACT
This chapter describes Nippon Professional Baseball's (NPB's) initial talks on the merger while refusing to address the question of league consolidation. Furuta Atsuya and the Nippon Professional Baseball Players Association (NPBPA) make several requests to convene a special committee to discuss the economics of pro ball but are repeatedly rebuffed by management. Horie Takafumi of Livedoor injects himself into the crisis with an offer to buy the Buffaloes. Fans throughout the nation, in particular the Buffaloes, BlueWave Preservation Society, ramp up their petition drive. The July 7 Owners Committee meeting brings the prospect of consolidation to the fore. Watanabe's sneering dismissal of players’ concerns cements solidarity with fans. As Central League owners begin to grapple with the implications of a consolidated NPB, Hanshin Tigers management gets cold feet and argues to retain the two-league system. But Watanabe and the Pacific League owners remain determined.
