Kanazawa Dragon Cross, which aims to join the Japan Sea League regional professional baseball league, held a press conference at the Kanazawa Tokyu Hotel to announce the appointment of Yoshinao Kamata (釜田佳直) as its first manager. With the league season scheduled to open next spring, he will lead the team for 3 years from January next year on secondment from Rakuten.
Yoshinao Kamata (釜田佳直) will become the first manager of Kanazawa Dragon Cross, and an appointment press conference was held at a hotel in Kanazawa on the 19th. Kamata, who is from Komatsu and an alumnus of Kanazawa High School, is a former professional player who won 21 games with Rakuten. He expressed his determination to take his first step as a coach.
He is expected to serve as manager for 3 years from January next year on secondment from Rakuten. The team explained that it appointed him because he understands its policies, including dual careers and data-driven baseball. Kamata cited his desire to “give back to my hometown” as his motivation and indicated that preparations for the season opener were under way.
The press conference was attended by team President Hasaki, owner Kanemori, General Manager Oura and coach Kitamura. Kitamura, a former professional player and coach, said, “We want to make this a team that energises Kanazawa.” The team also reported the appointment to pitcher Masahiro Tanaka (田中将大) of the Yomiuri Giants, who offered words of encouragement.
Related articles include the dispatch of the first manager, moves toward joining the league next season and the selection of partner companies. Interest is expected to focus on future developments and further reports.