Samurai Japan interview
January 1, 2024
Hirokazu Ibata, the Samurai Japan Top Team coach, was appointed last October. They won the “Car Next Asian Professional Baseball Championship 2023” held in November, and this year, the “Ragzasu Presents 3rd WBSC Premier 12” will be held in November.
In addition, the “Car Next Samurai Japan Series 2024 Japan vs. Europe National Team” (held at Kyocera Dome Osaka) will be held on March 6th and 7th, and he will also coach the U-15 national team in the summer.
How will Coach Ibata compete in 2024, when he will be so busy and have so many responsibilities? He heard her aspirations.
Changes felt in the amateur baseball world
–First, let’s look back at last year. It was a year filled with many events, including the U-12 World Cup, which was my second time as a manager, in the summer, and being appointed as the manager of the first team in the fall.
“Time has passed the fastest in my life since I was offered the position of manager of the first team.It took a long time until the appointment press conference, but from there I feel like I was able to move quickly. I’m glad that I didn’t have time to think about things before the tournament.If I had been more prepared, things would have gone smoothly, but I felt the same way as when I was interacting with the U-12 team. .I have a lot of time until the next tournament (Premier 12 in November), so I hope I can dig deeper and come to the conclusion that “this is the way I play baseball.”
–You have experience not only as the U-12 national team coach, but also as temporary coach for the U-18 national team and university national team. Have you noticed any changes in the baseball world from the amateur baseball world as well?
“Everyone has a strong desire to improve. I feel this much more than in the past.I think a big reason for this is that we can obtain more information than in the past.There are many different practice and training methods. Since it has been adopted, it has a lot of potential.The only thing left to do is how to utilize it in actual baseball games.Through Samurai Japan, I will experience international games and produce results. If we continue to gain confidence, I think Samurai Japan will be able to remain at the top of the world for a long time.”
European national team match: “If we let our guard down, we could lose in a row”
–How would you like to prepare for the European national team match in March?
“I would like to invite players who participated in the Asian Professional Baseball Championship and players who were offered but couldn’t come due to injury, and since there is no age limit this time, I would like to invite players who are likely to join the top team or players who were already in the top team. I’m thinking of making a call.March is just with the Premier 12 in mind.I’m thinking of making an offer regardless of whether he comes or not.I’m just thinking about the fact that there will be a Premier 12 after the season ends. So we have a different mindset.”
–I think it will be extremely meaningful to play against a European team for which there is little information.
“That’s right. I don’t think there’s that much of a difference between Japanese pitchers and Asian pitchers when it comes to pitching motion alone, but this time we’ll be facing pitchers with a variety of forms. You’ll need to be able to react in a consistent manner.Also, if the opposing batter makes one mistake, he or she has the ability to send a shot into the stands.I think it will be a very good experience in all aspects.”
–What is your impression of European baseball as a whole?
“The level is getting higher every year.The last time we played against each other (in March 2015) we had one win and one loss, and if we let our guard down, we could lose in a row.We will fight hard.In addition, we will be competing in the Asian Professional Baseball Championship. Some of the players who participated in the tournament will be playing against teams outside of Asia for the first time, so I want them to experience a variety of things while completing each step one by one.”
“I don’t think of going to watch the players as ‘work’.”
――This year, you also serve as the U-15 national team coach, which is unusual not only in the baseball world but also in other sports. How are you enthusiastic about that?
“Two years ago, the first year junior high school players (players who were born early) when they played for the U-12 national team will be turning into third years this year.I am looking forward to seeing how far this generation has improved. However, I hope that the members from that time will join us.We are the generation that will carry the future of Japanese baseball on our shoulders, so if we can give you at least one piece of good advice and play good baseball, we can help you improve your future baseball career. I hope you find it useful.”
–I think the key to the U-15 national team will be what kind of players to recruit and how to select them, but what is your current plan?
“I don’t know if everyone can do it, but I would like to see it with my own eyes at least once. If I listen to the leading players from each federation and region and see them with my own eyes, it will be easier to imagine when I make a selection. I think so.”
–It looks like 2024 will be a busy year as well.
“I don’t think of going to watch the players as ‘work.’ It’s just like everyone else’s entertainment. I try to go as much as possible when I have time.”
–As we approach the year 2024, please tell us your thoughts on this year’s kanji character “Yui”.
“I thought that unity and results were important, so I chose the character “yui”.”
–Goal for 2024.
“The Premier 12 is our biggest goal. We will keep our focus on winning while allowing our players to gain experience.”
2024-01-01 02:59:56
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