By OVELL PATTERSON, Student Reporter
Yugo Hamakawa, a junior shortstop for Northwestern’s baseball team, played his high school baseball career at Sayamagaoka High School in Tokyo.
He was given the opportunity to continue his baseball career at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Washington.
While at Edmonds Community College, he earned the NWAC North Region First-Team and NWAC’s Gold Glove.
“Attending Edmonds Community College before coming to Northwestern helped me tremendously,” Hamakawa said. “I did not know any English before coming to the United States, so starting at a community college let me get all the help I needed to be successful with my academics. For baseball, starting at a community college helped me strengthen my weakness and made me the player I am at Northwestern.”
Before the coronavirus pandemic stopped sports across the world, Hamakawa was playing and starting every game for the Rangers. He had 28 hits, 14 runs and 12 RBIs through 78 at-bats. His batting average was at .359 during the 2020 season.
In the 2021 season, Hamakawa has the second highest batting average on the team with .353. He also leads the team with the most amount of hits on the season with 24 hits.
Hamakawa said being away from Tokyo is an experience with things changing in his everyday life.
“The biggest difference between Alva and my hometown of Tokyo is the noise,” Hamakawa said. “Alva is very quiet, while Tokyo is loud all-day long no matter the time.”
Hamakawa said he only goes home once a year. He said the prices of tickets are too expensive because he is hundreds of miles away from home.
Hamakawa said baseball in Tokyo is different from baseball in the United States.
“When it comes to baseball, I believe that it is easier to play baseball in Tokyo than in the United States,” Hamakawa said. “I think is easier in Tokyo because the field is not as hard as United States fields.”
Hamakawa said he takes extra reps everyday just so he can be the best player he can be every single practice and game.
“I imagine how upcoming games will go, then I practice what I just imagined,” Hamakawa said. “I also always tend to focus on small things everyday which tend to make it easier to improve my skills.”
Jose Rubalcava, second baseman for the Northwestern baseball team, said the culture of Northwestern has changed in a positive way whenever Hamakawa arrived on campus and that the baseball team is heading in the right direction.
“Yugo brings so much energy, not so much in words because he is so quiet, but with his actions,” Rubalcava said. “He is always there to pick up an individual or the team as a whole. He sets up in every at-bat or play, which does not mean he is perfect, but if he does make an error on the field, he will make it up with his at bat.”
Rubalcava said playing with Hamakawa has been rewarding because they come from two different cultural backgrounds.
“Playing with Yugo has been a new experience since I have never played with someone from Japan before,” Rubalcava said. “Coming from a Hispanic background, playing with an international player is something I am used to, but someone from Japan was new to me. After I got to know Yugo, I really enjoyed him as a person. He is a really funny person and a baller on the field. The way he plays is so exotic coming from Japan. He has taught me a lot about the game as well as his culture.”
Rubalcava said the two have faith in each other to get things done in the middle of the field.
“Yugo and I have a very strong chemistry up the middle so we trust each other to get the plays made,” Rubalcava said. “I know I can always count on him to make a big play and to help the team to victory.”
Ryan Bowen, head baseball coach for Northwestern, said Hamakawa makes a huge impact for the program.
“Yugo brings it all to the field every single day,” Bowen said. “He is very talented and such a great fit for our baseball team. He offers so much to this team. His hitting and fielding are both very strong. I never have any doubt when he gets up to the plate or when a ball is hit to him at short stop. Yugo has definitely made a huge impact on our program. I love learning about his background and culture since he is from Tokyo, Japan.”
Bowen said he and the team are excited to have Hamakawa for another year and are excited to continue seeing him succeed.
Hamakawa said he plans to finish his education and athletic eligibility at Northwestern.