Very odd situation in NPB in which pitcher Jeremy Powell apparently had a loose agreement to play with the Orix Buffaloes, and was faxed a two-page document in Japanese, which he apparently signed, not knowing that Orix had intended it to be a contract.

In the meantime he received another offer from another team, the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, who sent Powell a more official contract, which he also signed. Both teams are contending they signed Powell. From the Daily Yomiuri:

“They sent Jeremy a two-page fax in Japanese. They said, ‘With very little time left before camp starts we need to get working on your visa when you do sign,’” Landis said. “I didn’t know what it was. It was in Japanese.

“We never signed a personal contract with Jeremy’s salary. I have seen Japanese contracts before and they run much longer than two pages.”

The situation led to a raucous discussion at japanesebaseball.comprodding some to claim Powell had duped Orix, and others claiming that the fault lies with the Orix organization. In either event representatives of both teams pleaded their cases Wednesday before league officials. The league has yet to make a decision.

Powell was played in Japan during seven seasons and was injured much of the first half of 2007. Following his injury Powell went 0-2 with a 5.80 ERA. He was also sent to the minors.