Trey Hillman, former manager of the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters and current bench coach for the Dodgers, will give a seminar on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Union Church, 401 E. Third St. (at San Pedro Street) in Little Tokyo.
Hillman, who led the Fighters to two consecutive Pacific League championships in 2006 and 2007, will speak on “The Path to a Winning Team.” He will touch on the following points:
• How was he able to overcome cultural barriers?
• Did American-style management work with Japanese players?
• What were the “fan services” he initiated after the team moved to Sapporo?
• What are the differences between Japanese yakyuu and American baseball?
• Which players left the biggest impression on him, and why?
• What are the beliefs that have sustained him?
Previously a player and scout for the Cleveland Indians farm system, a manager in the New York Yankees farm system, and director of player development for the Texas Rangers, Hillman, 50, became the Fighters’ manager in 2003. In addition to their first league championship in 25 years, the team won the Japan Series and Asia Series in 2006.
Hillman became known for shouting “Shinjirarenai!” (I can’t believe it) each time his team won a pennant.
When he signed a contract with the Kansas City Royals, Hillman was the first Major League Baseball manager to be hired based on his Japanese baseball record. He was with the team from 2008 to 2010, and has been bench coach for the Dodgers since 2011.
The Texas native is a devout Christian and has often spoken about balancing his professional life with his spiritual life.
Japanese translation will be provided. A donation of $5 is requested. Children 12 and under will be admitted free. Space is limited and reservations are required. Go online to http://ow.ly/n83vH or www.facebook.com/hillmanseminar.
For more information, call (949) 310-7773 or email Godsmen2006@gmail.com.
Sponsored by GMC with the support of Southern California Church Federation and Nikkan San.
As the church does not have a parking lot, attendees are asked to use the parking garage whose entrance is on Second Street between San Pedro and Central.