For Immediate Release Monday, October 12, 2009 Arizona Fall League Welcomes Japanese Pitchers Phoenix, Arizona — Five pitchers from Japan’s top professional baseball leagues will become the first from international leagues to play alongside Major League Baseball prospects on Arizona Fall League teams this fall. The Future Of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) has accepted Major League Baseball’s Major League invitation to assign players to the 2009 Arizona Fall League which begins its 18th Baseball Now season on Tuesday, October 13. Facts The five hurlers have been assigned to the Phoenix Desert Dogs and • Over 1,700 former Fall Scottsdale Scorpions. Leaguers have reached the major leagues Their presence marks the first time players from teams outside Major • 141 MLB All-Stars League Baseball have been invited to participate on Fall League teams. including 38 in 2009 “We welcome the Japanese players and we look forward to watching • 6 MLB MVPs •Jason Giambi them pitch against many of the best young hitters Major League Baseball is •Ryan Howard •Justin Morneau developing,” Arizona Fall League Director Steve Cobb says. “Japan has proven •Dustin Pedroia it has talented players and we are pleased the NPB clubs recognize the value •Albert Pujols •Jimmy Rollins Arizona Fall League competition provides developing players.” • 3 Cy Young Award winners The Chinese National Team played a five-game schedule in the 2007 •Chris Carpenter •Roy Halladay Arizona Fall League in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. •Brandon Webb Below is a listing of the five NPB pitchers assigned to the 2009 Arizona • 18 MLB Rookies-of-the-Year Fall League. • 3 World Series MVPs Phoenix Desert Dogs • 6 All-Star Game MVPs Player B T Ht. Wt. Birthdate Hometown 2009 NPB Club • 40 MLB Silver Sluggers Hiroshi Katayama L L 6-4 220 04/19/88 Hyogo, Japan Rakuten Eagles • 33 MLB Gold Glove Awards Toshiyuki Yanuki R R 6-3 194 12/15/83 Fukushima, Japan Nippon Ham Fighters • 8 MLB batting champions Scottsdale Scorpions • 12 MLB season hits leaders Player B T Ht. Wt. Birthdate Hometown 2009 NPB Club Toru Murata L R 6-0 176 05/20/85 Osaka, Japan Yomiuri Giants • 5 MLB season RBI leaders Ken Nishimura R R 6-0 176 12/04/86 Fukuoka, Japan Hanshin Tigers • 2 MLB season homer leaders Takanobu Tsujiuchi L L 6-0 194 12/05/87 Nara, Japan Yomiuri Giants • 9 MLB season stolen-base leaders — afl — • 24 MLB managers Media Contact: Paul Jensen ([email protected], 480.710.8201) • 31 MLB umpires • 76 administrators serving the baseball industry Phoenix Municipal Stadium 5999 E. Van Buren Phoenix, AZ 85008 Office: 602.681.9362 FAX: 602.681.9363 www.mlbfallball.com.