The Yokohama BayStars front office has asked manager Kiyoshi Nakahata to stay on for next season, the popular skipper revealed Saturday.
"I was told that regardless of wins and losses I was wanted back next season," said Nakahata, whose current contract runs through the end of the season, his fourth at the BayStars helm. "I said thank you and want to make a good response."
Nakahata's team has a 42-42-1 record and sits atop the Central League at the All-Star break for the first time since 1998, when the franchise won it's last CL pennant and went on to win the Japan Series.
The skipper said he was surprised at how early in the season the offer has come.
"This is a first for me," he said. "I am perplexed, but it's a welcome dialogue. But if things go badly (after the break) I won't be able to continue. So we will need the necessary results."