Transportation problems force overhaul of schedule

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — Citing transportation problems that wiped out this weekend’s games, commissioner Robert Cole has overhauled the remaining U.S. Forces Japan-American Football League regular-season and playoff schedule.

The regular season has been extended two weeks, from July 4 to July 18, when Foster visits Yokosuka in a battle of division leaders. The playoffs will begin July 18 with the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in each division facing each other, and will end Aug. 22 with the Torii Bowl, three weeks later than originally scheduled.

Cole made the changes, he said, because he "wants to give the teams more time to arrange transportation."

Southern Division teams were to have visited their North counterparts on Saturday, with Torii at Misawa, Kadena at Yokota and Foster at Yokosuka. All were wiped out when the South teams were unable to secure transportation to the North sites.

Torii Station was able to leave the island, but got only as far as Yokota, where the Wolfpack faced the host Warriors at 4 p.m. Saturday.

There’s a chance, Cole said, that the Torii Bowl may be moved up to Aug. 15, if the visiting team can secure transportation early. "There might be some rearranging," Cole said.

So far this season, five games have been postponed due to transportation issues.