JAPANESE PLAYERS MAKING STRIDES AND AN IMPACT WITH THE BUFFALOES

The Upstate Collegiate Box Lacrosse League (UCBLL) has proven to be a remarkable platform for young box lacrosse players aiming to enhance their skills and potentially attract the attention of professional teams. While most participants come from nearby communities in the United States and Canada, two players have traveled a considerable distance from Japan to compete in the UCBLL and develop their game.

Yamada Tetsuya and Kensaku “Kenny” Kobayashi have journeyed from Japan to play box lacrosse in North America, representing the Buffaloes in the UCBLL. They play on offense under the guidance of Head Coach Ethan O’Connor from the Rochester Knighthawks and Assistant Coach Zack Belter from the Buffalo Bandits.

“I didn’t know we had international players coming into the camp,” said O’ Connor, “after the combine they were guys that we identified that we wanted on our team. We saw the potential, and I really think they’ve got next level material.”

Tetsuya and Kobayahsi play primarily on offense for the Buffaloes. The right-handed Tetsuya is easy to identify with his 6’ 2”, 230-pound frame standing out as one of the bigger players on the floor. Kobayshi, a slightly smaller lefty forward at 5’ 10” and 150 lbs, shows great quickness when on the turf.

On a June evening during the recent heat wave, the Buffaloes battled both their opponents, the Rapids, and the high temperatures and humidity at the Classic Rink in East Aurora. Following a hard-fought battle in the heat that resulted in a 7-6 victory, both Tetsuya and Kobayahsi returned to the floor after the game to take some extra reps and instruction from their coaches. They are trying to soak up everything they can as they make the transition from playing the game in their home country to the advanced levels they see in North America.

“We just started playing box lacrosse this year in Japan, and most Japanese players have never played box before,” says Tetsuya. “Japanese lacrosse also doesn’t have a shot clock, so that makes a big difference with the speed of the game when compared to North American box lacrosse.”

The hard work paid off as in their following game against the Armory in Rochester, both players made a significant impact in a hard fought 9-8 win. Tetsuya and Kobayashi each scored their first goals of the season with Tetsuya finishing second on the Buffaloes with five points (2G, 3A) and Kobayashi contributing a goal and an assist.

While learning the game in their home country and playing on collegiate and club field lacrosse teams, both currently reside in Ontario and they travel back and forth across the border to make the most of any opportunity they get to play. In addition to playing with the Buffaloes, Yamada is also playing for the Owen Sound North Stars Senior B team, and played in Owen Sound’s first ever Senior A game in Major Series Lacrosse against the Six Nations Chiefs. Kobayashi appeared in five games for the Clarington Green Gaels Junior B squad earlier this year.

“Lacrosse in North America is fun because there’s always something to learn,” said Kobayashi, “I’ve learned so much about the intensity of play, the two man game and prioritizing what the team needs to do”

Both Tetsuya and Kobayashi are getting plenty of playing time in the Buffaloes offense this summer, and coaches O’Connor and Belter are finding ways to use their respective skill sets. “Kenny (Kobayashi) is speedy, he has a very good quick change of direction,” said O’Connor, “Tets (Tetsuya), he passes the eye test, he's a big guy, he moves well, he's fast, and they both have good stick skills.”

“They’re guys you can lean on to make plays,” O’Connor added, “Zack has been drawing up plays for them and they've been executing them. It’s exciting to have them and see how much they’ve grown in two games.”

One way Belter likes to use Tetsuya on the power play is by using plays similar to how the Buffalo Bandits run them in the National Lacrosse League, where Tetsuya uses his size to help get his teammates open lanes to shoot. “Tets is an incredible teammate, he’s learning the game really quick,” said Belter. “He creates so many opportunities for others, setting picks in the middle and doing the dirty work.”

In addition to their aspirations of playing in the NLL, Tetsuya and Kobayashi also have the potential to represent Japan in lacrosse at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“I would be very proud if I was selected to represent Japan, however, I would have to compete on equal footing with the United States, Canada and the Haudenosaunee to compete for medals,” said Kobayashi. “With my current abilities the chances of making the national team may be low, but I would like to continue comparing myself with the world with the aim of competing in the Olympics and the NLL.”

Until then, both players are applying the lessons they are learning in the UCBLL, which they can utilize no matter where their lacrosse careers take them. According to O’Connor, although there may be some language barriers to overcome, they have shown no difficulty in excelling as team players for the Buffaloes. He noted, “They’re good locker room guys despite not being able to speak much English.”