Don Nomura NPB was no longer bound to their NPB team outside Japan and was free to sign overseas without violating the working agreement. After the 1994 season Nomura assisted star NPB pitcher Hideo Nomo in testing the loophole. After failing to reach a contract agreement with the Kintetsu Buffaloes, Nomo retired from NPB and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995. In 1998 he represented Hideki Irabu, whose contract was sold by the Chiba Lotte Marines to the San Diego Padres. Irabu stated that he would only play for the New York Yankees, and refused to sign with the Padres.
Hideo Ohba aikido, his 6th dan in judo was awarded in 1950. During the 60's Hideo Ohba lead the effort for the creation of many of the koryu (old school) no kata forms from dai-ichi (first) to dai-roku (sixth) in order to work on techniques for demonstrations and other purposes (i.e. preservation, self-defense) other than randori. After his initial organization he presented his work to Kenji Tomiki who gave advice and corrections which was added to the kata. In 1978 he was awarded 9th dan by the Japan Aikido Association. He was also considered adept at kendo, naginata and iai. In February