Sasaki forfeits contract

Sasaki forfeits contract
In an unusual decision, closer Kazuhiro Sasaki, already signed for next season, told the Mariners he will not pitch for Seattle in 2004, forfeiting the final year of his contract to remain with his family in Japan. More baseball, C3.
NASCAR change
NASCAR officially will make its championship points system a lot more interesting. The change will include a re-emphasis on winning races -- which once was the whole idea but for decades has been buried under too much reward for consistency among also-rans. And there'll be a sort of playoff system in the last 10 races. More, C4.
Koval wins
Austintown heavyweight Chris Koval handily won a unanimous four-round decision over Clarence Goins Saturday night. C4.