Baseball cancels M's trip to Japan

Because of building tensions and an impending war with Iraq, the Seattle Mariners’ trip to Japan was canceled today by Major League Baseball.

"Given the uncertainty that now exists throughout the world, we believe the safest course of action for the players involved and many staff personnel who must work the games is to reschedule the opening series," Commissioner Bud Selig said.

"It would be unfair and terribly unsettling for them to be half a world away — away from their families — at this critical juncture."

The decision was reached in late afternoon after a day of uncertainty.

"All of us are disappointed,’’ said Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln. "I think it was the right decision.

"I’m sure some players were relieved, and am sure some were disappointed. You have to look at it in context. There are some important things happening in the world."

Both regular-season games that were scheduled in Japan will be made up in Oakland.

The Mariners announced that they would open the season in Oakland on April 1, ending a three-game series there with a 12:35 p.m. game April 3, previously an off day. The other game will be made up at 7:05 p.m. June 30, also originally scheduled as an off day before another Mariners’ series in Oakland.

Seattle’s spring-training schedule was also revised, now that they wouldn’t be playing exhibition games in the Tokyo Dome.

The new Mariners’ schedule is as follows:

Tomorrow: Oakland at Phoenix.

Friday: Chicago White Sox at Peoria.

Saturday: Arizona at Tucson.

Sunday: Milwaukee at Peoria.

Monday: Anaheim at Tempe.

Tuesday: Oakland at Peoria.

March 26: San Diego at Peoria.

March 27: San Diego at Peoria.

March 28: To be announced.

March 29: Texas, at Sacramento.

March 30: San Francisco, at San Francisco.