Baseball officials make progress in World Cup talks

TOKYO -- Officials from Japan, South Korea and Major League Baseball made significant progress Friday in talks aimed at setting up a World Cup tournament in 2006.

Commissioners of professional leagues in Japan and South Korea met Friday with Bob DuPuy, Major League Baseball's chief operating officer.

"Everyone expressed support for a global baseball tournament," said Jim Small, managing director of Major League Baseball's Japan office. "We did not announce a World Cup tournament but made significant progress toward that end. A lot of work still needs to be done."

Japanese officials were previously undecided about whether to participate in the proposed 16-nation World Cup. Japanese owners rejected a proposal to stage the first World Cup in March 2005, primarily because it would be too close to the start of their regular season in late March or early April.