The 14 year old Japanese Baseball Player & His Impact On a Youth Baseball Team in Southern Ontario, Canada.
The power of diversity and inclusion has an ability to heighten the human spirit. As long as we let it in. This week in The Physical Movement we explore the topic.
It was February 2014 and he quietly took his spot in line during winter workouts for this 15u youth baseball team. The young man and his family just as quietly went back to Japan 18 months later, but not without leaving an imprint on the community that is still very strong 7 years later.
Takumi Miyamoto came to Canada for 2 years in the middle of 2013 with his family.
As a coach, the first impression in an athletic environment of the winter workouts was one of wonder. He moved differently. There was a grace and smoothness to doing the simplest things like a high knee run. His mobility patterns were more advanced than his peers. He did not say a word as he did not speak any English when he first arrived.
Being so quiet and so proficient were in contrast to most other 14 year old boys!
In 2014 and 2015, Takumi made an in impact in school and on the baseball field. He was polite, humble, had a good sense of humor and was very focused on doing well. For 2 summers I had the pleasure of coaching Takumi and watching him integrate with a group that was as culturally different to him as oil and water.
Learning about his upbringing and his family was a reminder in how we are all the same, yet can be very different. In thinking of what it would be like to move a young family to the other side of the world, not knowing the language and culture would have been a massive undertaking.
When asked about first impressions, my son remembers clearly having him standout in the workouts for his ease of movement. Â Jamie most remembers his speed, his focus but also his good humor and that he was fun being around.
On the field, Takumi exhibited skills, development and maturity our players and coaches had not seen in someone at that age.
A couple of very vivid examples remain clear to this day.Â
One was a play at the plate where Takumi slid in at home but the catcher’s tag was waiting, he instinctively dug his cleats in the dirt on the slide and flipped himself over the catcher to land on the plate. Safe!
Another instance had him at shortstop fielding a ground ball with a runner on 2nd. He picked up the ball and went to throw to first base, faked the throw to first, pivoted around and tagged the runner going behind him. Out!
These 2 plays were incredible and left the entire park in awe.
His play had a big impact on our team. His contribution and leadership by example style rose the bar for all, including coaches. Coaches became quickly focused on helping his development, as his skillset was already at a very high level.
In speaking to his parents (yes, we used google translate at times), we learned that his upbringing in baseball included a 50 week routine of school and baseball year round. His understanding and execution of the fundamentals of the game were a clear indicator of the thousands of hours of practice. A different approach to youth athletic development foreign to us here in Canada.
After a year in school heading into his 2nd summer, Takumi felt more comfortable speaking English and his personality started to come out. While still soft spoken, his sense of humor and humility were always present.
He was a joy to have around.
There was no special effort needed to include Takumi and his family into our baseball community, other than making him feel comfortable where possible, lots of hand gestures, and taking the time to make sure he understood what was being asked of him.
He never missed a practice or game.
He played multiple positions with skill and grace.
His impact was also felt in high school with him winning academic and athletic awards.
Youth sports is a tremendous opportunity for inclusion and learning. Where young people of different upbringing can come together with a passion for the sport. It can also create divisiveness and segregation. Takumi’s skill eased his integration.
Perhaps it would have been tougher if he was not as skilled on the field? That’s a concern.
In thinking of the world events of the last year and the itemizing of the many issues of segregation and racism, I think back to our 2 years with Takumi and his family.
While my personal experience growing up English in a French culture had many lessons on both sides of the inclusion issue, I do remember the experience being overwhelmingly positive, with lessons I have carried for a lifetime. I discussed some of those experiences here in a previous edition of The Physical Movement.
As we are exposed to so many opinions and positions on inclusion, I am grateful that my son took an interest in a sport that has a strong multi-cultural component. Baseball has a rich history of diversity that has both great positive stories, but also terrible examples of racism and disgusting behavior towards others.
The Takumi experience had a great impact on our youth sports experience as a family. Takumi returned to Japan in 2015. We wish him the best and thank the Miyamoto family for making us better by being in Cambridge, Ontario for 2 years.
Some inspirational stories have come up during Black History Month, but there are also eye opening stories on how much work we still have left to do. These tough stories bring a lump to your throat and tear to our eye, as we think of people of various cultures enduring hardship for no other reason than being different.
It starts with a smile. A game of catch and a welcoming invite to play. Bonds are built from there.
Youth sports organizations can take a leadership position by offering learn to play clinics and opening up volunteer opportunities for those of all backgrounds.
Below are some recent web stories that might be of interest.
PLAY. LEAD. BE STRONG.
More information around diversity, inclusion. The positive and the challenging.
We are finding more and more inspirational stories of athletes standing up and using their platform for good.
Here are some inspirational examples not just by athletes but those around the game.
Matt Dumba from Regina, Saskatchewan wanted to be a hockey player. He has become so much more.