The Central League has named Tsutomu Wakamatsu, who guided the Yakult Swallows to their first league title in four years, as the manager of the year for the 2001 season, league officials said Monday.
The CL has also decided to give the "comeback" award to Hanshin Tigers pitcher Toshihide Narimoto, the 1996 Pacific League saves leader who overcame elbow surgery to post a 2-1 record in his first year since moving from the Lotte Marines.
Meanwhile, league officials agreed to continue the current system of limiting extra-inning games to 12 innings, with no replays held for games that end in a tie next season.