Overview
The bench coach sits beside the manager and serves as a strategic advisor during games, supporting decisions on pinch-hitting, pitching changes, and defensive alignments. When the manager is ejected or unavailable, the bench coach assumes acting manager duties. In NPB, the head coach typically fills this role and often serves as a proving ground for future managers. MLB has established the bench coach as a distinct position, with responsibilities increasingly including liaison work between the analytics department and the dugout. As data-driven decision-making grows, bench coaches are expected to combine data literacy with on-field instinct.