An awkward start ahead for A’s

This special edition of the 3-Dot Lounge originates about astone's throw from the Giants' spring-training camp, wherewe've set up camp for a week. So much of the Cactus League makes sense: gorgeous weather, thegolf courses, the priceless days at the ballparks, the scouts intheir straw hats behind home plate, baseball talk over dinner. Here's a real puzzler: After wrapping up their Arizona stintMarch 21, the A's head to Japan to open the regular season with twogames against Seattle good to see Japan get some exposure tobaseball; they've only been playing it there since 1872.