Seibu Lions announced personnel changes on the 22nd.

Hiroshi Hiroike (52), general manager of the team, will be appointed as a director on February 1. Mr. Hiroike, who was a left-handed hitter pitcher and left-handed hitter, got a job at ANA from Rikkyo University and joined Hiroshima in the 8th pick of the 1998 draft. After retiring from active duty in 2010 with Hiroshima Line, he joined Seibu Lions as a batting pitcher and became the general manager of the club in 25.

It was also announced that Managing Director Mitsuo Iida (59) will step down on January 31st and return to Seibu Lions Co., Ltd. on February 1st.