by IBAF, www.ibaf.org
President Tatsuro Matsumae of Baseball Federation of Japan presented a plaque of IBAF’s “Coach of the Year” to Tatsunori Hara, manager of Tokyo Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo on January 15. As Japan’s manager for the 2009 World Baseball Classic, Hara guided them to its second straight WBC crown.
Surrounded by a large number of Japanese media, Hara thanked IBAF for the award given to a coach of professional baseball league for the first time and attributed the honor to his players and staffs. ” I will make additional efforts to contribute to the world of baseball.” said Hara.
IBAF announced 5 awards for 2009 at the IBAF congress held last December and 5 winners are the following; Athlete of the Year: Justin Smoak (Triple-A Oklahoma City, MILB); Junior Athlete of the Year: Yung-Hoon Sung (Doosan Bears, KBO); Coach of the Year: Tatsunori Hara (Yomiuri Giants, NPB); Umpire of the Year: Paul Hyham (Australia); Member Federation Executive of the Year: Juergen Elsishans (German Federation)