SAPPORO (Kyodo) Masataka Nashida has agreed to stay on as manager of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters for the next two seasons, the Pacific League club said Monday.
The 56-year-old Nashida, whose current deal expires at the end of the season, agreed to a two-year deal carrying an annual salary of ¥110 million plus performance related bonuses.
"I am so grateful that the club rates me," Nashida told a news conference at Sapporo Dome. "I want to join together with the front office and the fans to create a new Fighters team."
The Fighters finished third in the Pacific League standings last season but as of Monday are in first place with a 5 1/2 game lead over the Softbank Hawks.
Nippon Ham general manager Masao Yamada said, "We were a bit concerned that he was not getting rated very highly by baseball pundits before the season started but now the title is within the team's reach."