In this photo taken July 26, 2012, Hanamaki Higashi High School pitcher Shohei Otani delivers a pitch during the final game of the Iwate Prefectural High School Baseball Tournament in Hanamaki, northeastern Japan. Otani, who had said before November’s draft he intended to go to the major leagues straight out of high school, decided on Sunday to stay in Japan instead of immediately pursuing a career in Major League Baseball. Despite his intentions, the 18-year-old right-hander was selected by the Nippon Ham Fighters in the first round. — AP
