YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) The Yokohama BayStars on Wednesday announced the appointment of Takao Obana as their manager for next season.

The 52-year-old Obana, who served as the Yomiuri Giants' pitching coach for four years through 2009, will manage a team for the first time.

The BayStars, who finished 42.5 games behind the Central League champion Giants in last place, were looking for someone who could reconstruct the pitching staff.