After languishing in the Daiei bullpen for three years, the right handed reliever joined the Swallows in 1996 and posted a 12-12 record with a 3.51 ERA while striking out 109 batters and only walking 60.

A year later, the rejuvenated hurler went 15-5, including a one-hit shut-out against the Giants, with a 2.96 ERA.

In the 1997 Japan Series, Tabata lasted just one inning in game two. Starting the bottom of the first, he quickly got two outs then after a few questionable defensive plays, the Lions scored five runs off the shell-shocked hurler.

Tabata isn't an overpowering pitcher, and he doesn't get many strikeouts. But since he's consistent, he'll likely remain an import part of Yakult's starting rotation for the next few years.

In the Professional Baseball News 1998 Yearbook, the staff of writers named Tabata the best right-handed starting pitcher in the CL (actually, he tied with teammate Masato Yoshii) while claiming he had the best curve ball and pick-off move in the league.