updated 9:35 p.m. ET Oct. 8, 2008

TOKYO - Japan’s professional baseball teams have agreed to introduce a ban on players who return to Japan after opting out of the amateur draft in order to play for overseas pro teams.

The move comes after highly regarded amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa announced plans last month to negotiate with major league teams rather than make himself eligible for the Oct. 30 draft.

Executives of Japan’s 12 professional teams decided to ban players who had graduated from high school from entering professional Japanese teams for three years after returning to Japan from overseas stints, and introduce a two-year ban for such players from university or company teams.

Through the move, Japanese baseball officials hope to discourage top amateur prospects from bypassing Japan’s pro leagues to play in the major leagues.

Players from Japan’s professional leagues must wait nine seasons before becoming free agents. Kazuhito Tadano and Mac Suzuki are the only Japanese players to have played in the majors without playing in Japanese pro baseball first.

Tadano returned to Japan after playing in the major leagues and now pitches for the Nippon Ham Fighters. Under the new rule, he would have to wait two years before signing with a Japanese professional team.

Several American teams, including the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, scouted Tazawa while he led Nippon Oil to the corporate league championship this season.

Also on NBCSports.com   Video: Legends say Federer greatest of his generation Curran: McNair — tough, talented, great  |    Images Ventre: Artest puts everything in jeopardy for Lakers Blyleven: Days of .400 hitter are dead and gone   NFL video: How to build the ultimate offense

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Home Game: Cards’ Pujols leads All-Star voting Opinion: Surprising Rangers receive All-Star snub All-Star starters, pitchers, reserves Dodgers win in 13th as Ramirez rests legs Red Sox avoid sweep against Mariners Jeter, Matsui power Yankees over Jays Blanton outpitches Santana, Phils beat Mets Padres send Hairston to A's for minor leaguers Rumors: Strasburg heading to Japan to pitch? Live odds Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: