Yoshiaki Kanematsu '23 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing baseball since I was 5 years old. The rest is history. Ever since I started playing competitively, I slowly began to develop my craft. A huge component of my skill set is my hitting. Day in and day out, I would constantly practice hitting by swinging my bat in front of my mirror, ensuring that my form improved from yesterday. I would also practice by taking hacks at wiffle balls which my mother would lob to me. This work off the field directly translated on the field as I would hit well in many of my games. Baseball, as well as many other things in life, require a strong, well-balanced, and patient mind. I was enlightened on this when I incurred one of the most devastating times of my life. It was rock bottom for me. During the summer of 2021, I injured my back while working out and wasn’t able to pay for the remainder of the summer season. This deteriorated me mentally because it felt like the work and time that I dedicated and expended during the winter and spring were all wasted. Recovery was brutal. My mother and I began to use both heat and ice packs to expedite the healing process, and it did, but my body wasn’t feeling 100%, not at the level that I know I am capable of playing at. As my back slowly began to feel better, I started running a mile daily, which I then bumped up to two. I then started working out at the gym again. This transition was one of the most challenging. I wasn’t using the same weights as before because I was out for so long, but my mind was also sensitive towards my back being hurt again, even though the MRI came out negative. This phase forced me to have the courage to embrace the discomfort and push through. I began with sets up push-ups, assisted dips, and pull-ups. Initially, it was really tough but I kept hanging on. As I began to gain confidence as well as strength, I increased my reps and began to implement more and more exercises that worked out different parts of my body. Eventually, I wasn’t only back, but I was better than ever. I became a lot stronger than the past version of myself, even at my previous peak. Through this experience, I was able to develop my courage and diligence.

Apart from being able to work on myself, I am also capable of serving others. Once a week, I volunteer at my local community center and assist elementary children with their homework. Another way in which I serve my neighborhood is by cleaning up any litter at my local pack with my friends. We do this to create and ensure a cleaner and healthier environment. I also contribute to a nonprofit organization called “Citymeals on Wheels” whose goal is to support elderly New Yorkers with food and affection. I have donated to this organization by sending them the profits my friends and I receive through organizing monthly baked cookie sales. Additionally, my mother and I create handmade cards for the elders which we also send to the organization. In school, I am the president and founder of my high school’s ping pong club and also serve as a leader for my Science Olympiad team.

My future goal is to be able to contribute to society by helping and being in the service of others. I have a passion for cognitive science and would love to study this field further and ultimately become a neurosurgeon.