Japan’s national baseball team’s next coach is virtually confirmed
The next head coach of the Japanese national baseball team, which had been vacant due to vacancy, has virtually been confirmed.
Japanese media, including “Sankei Sports,” reported on the 25th, “Hirokazu Ibata, the current national team coach under the age of 12, is likely to be the next coach of Samurai Japan.”
The previous head coach of the Japanese national baseball team was Hideki Kuriyama. Guriyama’s term expired in May this year after winning the WBC (World Baseball Classic) held in March this year.
Since then, NPB (Japan Baseball Organization) has devoted itself to finding the next manager. Top legends, such as Hideki Matsui and Ichiro Suzuki, emerged as leading candidates, but difficulties continued. In the end, Ibata, who currently leads the under-12 national team, was virtually appointed as the next coach.
Ibata is a shortstop-turned-leader who played for the Chunichi Dragons and Yomiuri Giants. He served as an infield defense and baserunning coach for the first division of Yomiuri and also served as an infield defense and baserunning coach for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics national team.
The reason why Ibata emerged as a strong candidate is expected to be due to his rich leadership experience. After retiring from active duty, he gained a lot of experience by coaching not only Yomiuri and the national team, but also social baseball teams NTT East Japan, Taiwanese clubs, and alma mater.
Ibata, who has been at the helm of the under-12 national team since last year, will make his debut as the head coach of the adult A national team at the APBC (Asian Professional Baseball Championship) in November 안전놀이터
“Nikkan Sports” said, “The new coach’s term is until the next WBC, which will be held in March 2026. However, NPB reported that it will decide later whether to entrust the APBC in November and then the next WBC.”