Hirokazu Ibata

Hirokazu Ibata (Japanese:井端 弘和, born May 12, 1975) is a Japanese professional baseball coach and former player in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was most recently the manager of the Japanese national baseball team, having stepped down from his position following Japan's elimination from the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Baseball career Ibata played second base for the Yomiuri Giants and short stop for the Chunichi Dragons but is able to play at other positions.

After retiring at the end of the 2015 season, Ibata took up new Giants' manager, Yoshinobu Takahashi's invitation to join his coaching staff.