The Niigata Albirex Baseball Club announced today that relief pitcher Shingo Takatsu (43) will assume the role of player/manager next season.  This will be the first time in BC League history that a player will also take on the role of manager.

Prior manager Hideki Hashigami left the team after the past season in order to take on a job as a strategy coach with the Yomiuri Giants.

Sanspo is reporting that Hanshin senryokugai Naohisa Sugiyama could end up signing with the BC League's Toyama Thunderbirds Baseball Club.

When reporters confronted Sugiyama at Naruohama on Wednesday, he neither confirmed nor denied the rumor.  When asked what his thoughts were on playing for an independent league team, he replied, "I would like to continue playing baseball."

Trand25, from French baseball site Honus, informed me that two Frenchmen, Frédéric Hanvi and Felix Brown, were selected by the Gunma Diamond Pegasus Baseball Club during the BC League's player draft on Friday.

I do not have any info on the two players, but if you can read French and have an interest, there is an article on Honus that provides some info.

The Kagawa Olive Guyners announced today that Shinji Nishida (51) will be returning as manager again next season.

The media learned today that Mac Suzuki will be leaving the Kobe Suns as player/manager because his contract is now up.  Kobe has not yet decided on his successor.

Kobe finished in first during the first half of the season (15-8-1) but ended in fourth during the second half of the season (7-15-2).

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2011 Stats

Toyama Chuo Police Department arrested 20-year-old Toyama INF Junpei Tose earlier today on charges of negligent driving that resulted in injury.

According to police reports, at around 6:05am this morning, Tose caused severe injuries to a 65-year-old newspaper delivery woman when he crashed into her bicycle from the rear.  Tose told police that he was late in applying his breaks.

The BC League's Toyama Thunderbirds, the team Tose plays for, prepared the following statement: "We pray for a fast recovery.  We will also make sure our player and staff are thoroughly educated on safe driving practices."

The Gunma Diamond Pegasus announced today that Akihito Igarashi will be taking over as manager for the 2012 season.

Igarashi was a Ni-gun OF / base-running coach with the Softbank Hawks this past season.

The Mie Three Arrows held a press conference earlier today and announced that they were breaking up the team due to financial problems.

UPDATE 11/11 @ 4:45pm - According to Sponichi, of the 25 players that were on the roster, 6 retired and 19 are planning on continuing their careers with other teams.

The Mie Three Arrows withdrew from the Shikoku Island League plus after the season this year.  The media found out today that the team is in really bad shape and plans on holding a press conference on 11/10 to explain their future plans.

The media also found out that of the 25 players they had on the roster, only 1 remained -- after Mie announced they were withdrawing from the Island League, they advised their players to find other options.

The Kansai Independent League (KANDOK) held a delegating meeting on Sunday and officially approved the addition of the Hanna Samurai Reds (阪奈侍レッズ).  The new team will likely be based out of Nara and will also have a home field in Osaka.

Seoul Haechi's status for the 2012 season was also raised -- whether or not they'll participate is still up in the air.