I wonder if the New York Mets or the New York Yankess complained about money when they played in Japan. I didn't hear about in newspapers, but this is the kind of era that baseball fans are in.. more money..more money.

The Boston Red Sox have threatened to boycott their season-opening games in Japan unless their coaches and other staff are paid for making the trip. The team has not taken the field for its final spring training game in Florida.

Mike Lowell told The Boston Globe the team voted unanimously not to play its final spring training game or to board the plane to Japan later Wednesday.

Manager Terry Francona and his players were upset after learning staff members are not going to get the $40,000 stipend the players are receiving. The Boston Herald reported players insisted part of their agreement to make the trip included the fee - for them and the coaches.

The Red Sox clubhouse was closed to reporters because of the dispute and the team had not taken the field for batting practice before its last scheduled spring training game in Florida.

Pitcher Curt Schilling told The Associated Press he was not sure if the game against Toronto would be played, but refused to comment on the team meeting or the boycott vote.

The World Series champions are scheduled to begin their season against Oakland with two games in Tokyo.