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Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (C) meets the press in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

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Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (C) meets the press in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

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Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

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Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

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Baseball: Ohtani among 8 players named for Japan's WBC roster

Samurai Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata poses in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing the first eight members of his roster for March's World Baseball Classic, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

The manager of Japan's national baseball team, Hirokazu Ibata, poses for a photo in Tokyo on Dec. 26, 2025, after announcing eight of the members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

The manager of Japan's national baseball team, Hirokazu Ibata, announces eight of the members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March on Dec. 26, 2025, in Tokyo.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Japan's national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata announces eight members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March on Dec. 26, 2025, in Tokyo.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

The manager of Japan's national baseball team, Hirokazu Ibata, announces eight of the members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March on Dec. 26, 2025, in Tokyo.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

The manager of Japan's national baseball team, Hirokazu Ibata, announces eight of the members to play at the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March on Dec. 26, 2025, in Tokyo.

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Baseball: MLB Tokyo Series

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga (L) and Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata pose for a photo ahead of the second game of the MLB's two-game, season-opening Tokyo Series between the Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tokyo Dome on March 19, 2025.

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Baseball: Japan vs. Netherlands

Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (back, far L) and players high-five each other after beating the Netherlands in the second game of a two-game baseball exhibition series at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Osaka, western Japan, on March 6, 2025.

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Baseball: MLB spring training

Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata (L) meets with York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga during a visit to the club's spring training site in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Feb. 21, 2025, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.

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Baseball: MLB spring training

Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata (L) shakes hands with York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga during a visit to the club's spring training site in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Feb. 21, 2025, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.

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Baseball: MLB spring training

Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata meets the press after meeting with New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga during a visit to the club's spring training site in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Feb. 21, 2025, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.

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Baseball: MLB spring training

Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata (L) and Masataka Yoshida of the Boston Red Sox are pictured at the Red Sox's spring training site in Fort Myers, Florida, on Feb. 22, 2025. Ibata is visiting Major League Baseball spring training sites to meet with Japanese players ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata meets the press during his visit to Chicago Cubs' spring training in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 19, 2025.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata (R) chats with Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell during a visit to the club's spring training in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 19, 2025.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata meets the press during his visit to Chicago Cubs' spring training in Mesa, Arizona, on Feb. 19, 2025.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Two-way player Shohei Ohtani plays catch as Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata (far L) visits the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training site in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 18, 2025, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata (R) visits the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training site in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 18, 2025, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March 2026. Standing next to him is Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Two-way player Shohei Ohtani plays catch as Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata (far L) visits the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training site in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 18, 2025, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Two-way player Shohei Ohtani plays catch as Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata (2nd from L) visits the Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training site in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 18, 2025, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.

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Baseball: Japan baseball team manager Ibata

Japan national baseball team manager Hirokazu Ibata (L) shakes hands with Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts during a visit to the club's spring training in Glendale, Arizona, on Feb. 18, 2025, ahead of the World Baseball Classic in March 2026.

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Baseball: Premier12

Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (L) and his Australian counterpart David Nilsson pose for a photo during a press conference at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in central Japan on Nov. 12, 2024, the eve of the opening game of Group B at the Premier12 baseball tournament.

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Asia Professional Baseball Championship

Japan's under-24 players give manager Hirokazu Ibata a victory toss after winning the Asia Professional Baseball Championship at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 19, 2023.

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Asia Professional Baseball Championship

Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata (C) and his under-24 players celebrate winning the Asia Professional Baseball Championship at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 19, 2023.

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Asia Professional Baseball Championship

Japan manager Hirokazu Ibata speaks during a post-game press conference after winning the Asia Professional Baseball Championship at Tokyo Dome on Nov. 19, 2023.

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Baseball: Samurai Japan manager Ibata

Hirokazu Ibata, manager of Japan's national baseball team, serves as a batting practice pitcher during a training camp in the southwestern Japan city of Miyazaki on Nov. 8, 2023.

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Baseball: Samurai Japan manager Ibata

Hirokazu Ibata (R), manager of Japan's national baseball team, serves as a batting practice pitcher during a training camp in the southwestern Japan city of Miyazaki on Nov. 8, 2023.

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Baseball: Samurai Japan manager Ibata

Hirokazu Ibata (front), manager of Japan's national baseball team, runs players through fielding drills during a training camp in the southwestern Japan city of Miyazaki on Nov. 7, 2023.

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Baseball: Samurai Japan manager Ibata

Hirokazu Ibata (front), manager of Japan's national baseball team, runs players through fielding drills during a training camp in the southwestern Japan city of Miyazaki on Nov. 7, 2023.

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Puerto Rico beat Japan in WBC semifinal

SAN FRANCISCO, United States - Hirokazu Ibata of Japan hits an RBI single during the eighth inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinal game against Puerto Rico at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, on March 17, 2013. Puerto Rico won 3-1.

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Puerto Rico beat Japan in WBC semifinal

SAN FRANCISCO, United States - Hirokazu Ibata of Japan hits an RBI single during the eighth inning of the World Baseball Classic semifinal game against Puerto Rico at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, on March 17, 2013. Puerto Rico won 3-1.

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Japan vs. Brazil in WBC

FUKUOKA, Japan - Hirokazu Ibata of Japan hits an equalizer off Brazil pitcher Oscar Nakaoshi in the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic first-round game at Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on March 2, 2013. Diego Franca was catcher for Brazil. Japan won 5-3.

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Japan vs. Brazil in WBC

FUKUOKA, Japan - Hirokazu Ibata of Japan hits an equalizer against Brazil in the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic first-round game at Fukuoka Dome in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on March 2, 2013. Japan won 5-3.

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Baseball Japan Series Game 1

NAGOYA, Japan - Chunichi Dragons second baseman Kazuhiro Ibata throws to first to complete a double play after forcing out Lotte Marines Ikuhiro Kiyota during the first inning of Game 1 of the Japan Series at Nagoya Dome on Oct. 30, 2010.

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Dragons leap to Japan Series

NAGOYA, Japan - Chunichi Dragons second baseman Hirokazu Ibata leaps to catch a ball hit by Yomiuri Giants infielder Michihiro Ogasawara in the first inning of Game 4 of the Central League Climax Series final stage at Nagoya Dome on Oct. 23, 2010. Chunichi won 4-3 to earn their first trip to the Japan Series in three years.

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Veteran Chunichi lefty Yamamoto throws no-hitter

NAGOYA, Japan - Chunichi Dragons left-hander Masahiro Yamamoto (L) gets congratulations from teammates Motonobu Tanishige (C) and Hirokazu Ibata after becoming the oldest pitcher in Japanese baseball history to throw a no-hitte, leading the Central League leaders to a 3-0 victory over the Hanshin Tigers at Nagoya Dome on Sept. 16. Yamamoto, who is playing in his 23rd season, pitched his first career no-hitter at 41 years and one month after striking out five and issuing no walks in a 97-pitch outing.

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(3)MLB All-Stars - Game 4

FUKUOKA, Japan - Lotte Marines' Kazuya Hukuura comes home on a sacrifice fly by Chunichi Dragons' Hirokazu Ibata in the fifth inning of Game 4 of an eight-game U.S.-Japan exhibition series at Fukuoka Dome on Nov. 9. The MLB team beat the Japanese All-Stars 7-2 for their fourth straight victory. (MLB)

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Japan trounces Russia 12-0 for 3rd win at World Cup baseball

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Seibu Lions outfielder Tomoaki Sato hits a two-run single in the top of the fifth inning as Japan went on to blank Russia 12-0 for its third victory at the World Cup tournament Chunichi Dragons infielder Hirokazu Ibata drove home two runs in a four-run second inning Friday as Japan went on to blank Russia 12-0 for its third victory at the World Cup tournament at Shinchuan Stadium on Nov. 9, 2001.

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Tokyo Olympics: Baseball

Japan's Hayato Sakamoto (facing camera) celebrates with coach Hirokazu Ibata (82) after hitting a game-winning hit against the Dominican Republic during the ninth inning of the Tokyo Olympics baseball tournament's opener on July 28, 2021, at Fukushima Azuma stadium, northeastern Japan.

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Japan trounces Russia 12-0 for 3rd win at World Cup baseball

TAIPEI, Taiwan - Seibu Lions outfielder Tomoaki Sato hits a two-run single in the top of the fifth inning as Japan went on to blank Russia 12-0 for its third victory at the World Cup tournament Chunichi Dragons infielder Hirokazu Ibata drove home two runs in a four-run second inning Friday as Japan went on to blank Russia 12-0 for its third victory at the World Cup tournament at Shinchuan Stadium on Nov. 9, 2001.

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Veteran Chunichi lefty Yamamoto throws no-hitter

NAGOYA, Japan - Chunichi Dragons left-hander Masahiro Yamamoto (L) gets congratulations from teammates Motonobu Tanishige (C) and Hirokazu Ibata after becoming the oldest pitcher in Japanese baseball history to throw a no-hitte, leading the Central League leaders to a 3-0 victory over the Hanshin Tigers at Nagoya Dome on Sept. 16. Yamamoto, who is playing in his 23rd season, pitched his first career no-hitter at 41 years and one month after striking out five and issuing no walks in a 97-pitch outing. (Kyodo)

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7-time Golden Glove winner Ibata retires

Yomiuri Giants infielder Hirokazu Ibata announces his retirement on Oct. 24, 2015, at a press conference in Tokyo. The iconic former shortstop for the Chunichi Dragons and a seven-time Golden Glove winner said, "I never imagined I'd be able to carry on until the age of 40. These 18 years have been like a dream." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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7-time Golden Glove winner Ibata retires

Yomiuri Giants infielder Hirokazu Ibata announces his retirement on Oct. 24, 2015, at a press conference in Tokyo. The iconic former shortstop for the Chunichi Dragons and a seven-time Golden Glove winner said, "I never imagined I'd be able to carry on until the age of 40. These 18 years have been like a dream." (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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(3)MLB All-Stars - Game 4

FUKUOKA, Japan - Lotte Marines' Kazuya Hukuura comes home on a sacrifice fly by Chunichi Dragons' Hirokazu Ibata in the fifth inning of Game 4 of an eight-game U.S.-Japan exhibition series at Fukuoka Dome on Nov. 9. The MLB team beat the Japanese All-Stars 7-2 for their fourth straight victory. (MLB) (Kyodo)

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Baseball Japan Series Game 1

NAGOYA, Japan - Chunichi Dragons second baseman Kazuhiro Ibata throws to first to complete a double play after forcing out Lotte Marines Ikuhiro Kiyota during the first inning of Game 1 of the Japan Series at Nagoya Dome on Oct. 30, 2010. (Kyodo)

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Dragons leap to Japan Series

NAGOYA, Japan - Chunichi Dragons second baseman Hirokazu Ibata leaps to catch a ball hit by Yomiuri Giants infielder Michihiro Ogasawara in the first inning of Game 4 of the Central League Climax Series final stage at Nagoya Dome on Oct. 23, 2010. Chunichi won 4-3 to earn their first trip to the Japan Series in three years. (Kyodo)