Iguchi Passes On WBC To Work On Offense

[ThomasTomasz]

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Having decided to skip playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, Chicago White Sox second baseman Tadahito Iguchi reported a day early to spring training.

Iguchi, who took batting practice Tuesday, was fourth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting last season. He announced last month that he would bypass the WBC.

"As far as being asked to play in the WBC, I am incredibly happy and incredibly honored to be asked," Iguchi said Tuesday through an interpreter. "It just didn't work out this year. I definitely wanted to perform here in the camp in the beginning, especially with the change in the batting order."

Iguchi batted .278 and had 71 RBIs and 15 homers last season. He hit second last year and could be used lower in the lineup.

"I don't know what order I will be batting in the end. I would like to try a lot of different positions," Iguchi said. "That is something that will have to be proven in the camp, but in order to become the World Series champs once again I decided to come to camp was a necessity."

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slu...v=ap&type=lgns

[Dam8610]

Bad news for Japan, good news for the White Sox.