On the Cutting Edge of Data-Driven Baseball: Supporting Player Development

First-Team Analyst, Player Development Department, Yomiuri Giants
KANAHORI Tetsuya

Advantages of Studying at the University of Tsukuba in My Career and Life

In sports—not only baseball—intuition and experience play a vital role. In my current position, however, my responsibility is to test those instincts against objective data and translate the results into clear, actionable feedback for players, enabling them to improve performance and contribute to the team's success. This integration of sensory judgment and quantitative analysis is exactly what I pursued in my academic research at the University of Tsukuba.

In high school, I dreamed of playing at Koshien, the National High School Baseball Championship. Although I was part of a strong team, I was unable to achieve that goal. Determined to recommit myself to baseball, I later attended a practice session at the University of Tsukuba. I was immediately impressed by the intensity and energy of the senior players, which inspired me to apply. In retrospect, I am deeply grateful for Tsukuba's culture of encouraging students to set their own goals, design training programs, and experiment with new approaches--experiences that proved invaluable in preparing me for life beyond university.

My Fondest Memories as a Student

My passion for baseball was so strong that I often practiced alone between classes. From my third year onward, I also served as a coach. At times, intense discussions with teammates moved me to tears. Yet these candid exchanges are among my most cherished memories, as they reflected our shared commitment and mutual trust.

One particularly unforgettable experience occurred during a period of frequent league losses. Our usually calm captain suddenly gathered the team late at night, and around 30-40 teammates assembled at the Hirasuna dormitory. Without explanation, he began playing the guitar, and we all sang along to songs by Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi and Yuzu. The team's atmosphere changed instantly. That same captain later went on to coach at Koshien, and I came to realize that individuals with passion and leadership can profoundly shape a group's spirit and direction.

Message to Students of the University of Tsukuba

Although my expertise lies in coaching, my professional responsibilities extend well beyond that role. My work includes data collection and analysis, regular meetings with players, development of training facilities, and cross-departmental collaboration. I also frequently work with professionals from other industries, and the networks I built at the University of Tsukuba have been invaluable in supporting these partnerships.

During my time at Tsukuba, I met people from diverse backgrounds, and those relationships continue to support me today. For this reason, I encourage current students to actively embrace challenges, even in fields that may not initially interest them. Such experiences often lead to unexpected growth and lasting opportunities.

TSUKUBA ALUMNI (PDF for printing)