[JoshW]

Firefighters gambling on high school baseball games get punished
SAKAE, Chiba -- Firefighters have been punished and issued with a strict warning after they were caught gambling on the result of high school baseball games, fire department officials here said.

Two officials, including a fire chief, received severe reprimands, a firefighter who encouraged people to bet had his pay reduced for one month and others who took part in the gambling were given warnings following the disclosure of the event.

"We've let down the people of the town," the Fire Department chief in Sakae said. "We're going to tighten discipline from now on."

Fire department officials said that the firefighters gathered at lunch breaks and used their lunch money to bet on who would win last month's final of the National High School Baseball Tournament between Tokyo's Waseda Jitsugyo High School and Hokkaido's Komadai Tomakomai High School. The teams played out a tie in their first match-up and officials learned about the illegal gambling before the re-match, meaning that no money actually changed hands in the case.

Fire department officials have informed the police of details of the case and law enforcers may now consider laying charges over the illegal gambling.

The Sakae Municipal Government imposed the punishments on participants on Sept. 8. They are due to explain the situation to municipal assembly members on Tuesday. (Mainichi)

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/sports...na005000c.html

[bigboydan]

Looks like the Japan officals take that stuff very seriously. I knew teachers who use to bet on high school football games, and never got in trouble over it.

[althelegend]

They have brought so much shame to the fire Dept. that a ceremonial topping service wouldn't be out of place.

[pags11]

that's a great story...we used to make our own lines in WJBA (middle school basketball) and bet eachother...lol...brings back the memories...