Language barrier in baseball among Latino players

[Marianopolita]

This article was published in Metro yesterday which briefly touches on the issue of the language barrier in professional sports specifically baseball and Latino players. It's in direct regard to Ozzie Guillen's remark about Latino players not getting the same opportunities to learn English as oriental players.

Metro is a free newspaper available all over Canada in large cities and it provides news briefs etc that you would otherwise find in major newspapers so I am surprised that it has such an interesting and decently written article (as many times there is not enough depth). Specific to Toronto news, Toronto Blue Jays player, Jos? Bautista is used as an example. He's a great Dominican ball player on the Blue Jays (actually I watched him play in two out of the three Yankees games this week) and he is a good experienced player to have on the roster. Basically, the team can rely on him for at least one or a few RBIs on a regular basis and even some homeruns.


Anyway, I like the fact that the article states that many Latin players and we know that Dominican players pretty much make up the Latino roster than maybe Cubans experience the language barrier and some do not speak English at all or very little when they join the major leagues.


I find this is a very interesting topic because it speaks to the language issue in a broad sense when Latinos immigrate to Canada or the USA. In professional sports should the team be responsible for these players learning English (since many of them have been offered mega contracts with their team)?

Jos? Bautista of Jays went to an English academy in the DR and is bilingual but can certainly relate to the plight of other ball players. I think Yunel Escobar, the Jays shortstop is a good example. They got him from the Atlanta Braves, he's Cuban, speaks very little English but is a great ball player. I was impressed this week when I saw him play. He's a great short stop, has a strong arm, and can hit when he's up at bat. The Jays have quite a few Dominican and Latin players on their roster but in all my years of watching baseball, I have never heard of this issue as being a problem with the Blue Jays but not to say it does not exist from time to time.


Quotes from the article:

"Though Bautista is fully bilingual, he says a language barrier persists in pro baseball, and that it damages careers when communication falters between players and coaches".

"A player cannot reach his full potential on the field until he has a full grasp of the English language".

"Without league-wide standards on how much English instruction prospects are required to receive, teams each set their own rules".

Here's the article: Metro - Lost in translation in Major League Baseball


PD. I know there's a thread in the baseball forum about this issue but this article is interesting and really touches on the issue of Latinos, Spanish, language, baseball and professional sports in general.


_________________
Go Brazil, Go!

USA vs Brazil friendly on August 10, 2010 @8:00PM
No te lo pierdas....-MP.

 

[DMV123]

Interesting article. Absolutely - until the player speaks good English then there is no level playing field. He will always be at a disadvantage.

But who holds responsibility for teaching / learning?

The team , of course but also the aspiring players need to be aware that it is part of the package. They not only need to be in physical shape, have the physical skills but there are some mental and emotional skills that need to be developed!!!! Language is certainly one of those skills.

Gone are the days where simply being able to run and jump and catch and hit are good enough! (meant to be simplistic.)

 

[bob saunders]

Totally agree that it is a joint responsibility. You would have thought with Cuba's vaulted Education system( by some) that the Cuban shortstop would speak some English. With the numerous English schools in the DR there is no reason why Dominican ball players shouldn't know some English. From an organization's perspective it would be to their benefit to provide English lessons.

 

[Marianopolita]

Player/ Management joint effort-

I think it is a two way street between players and management. You scratch my back, I will scratch yours type of scenario. When scouts start looking at minor league players in the DR and elsewhere, the language issue comes with the package in my opinion. I don’t think they should expect the players to be bilingual however, at the same time players in the minor league who are vying for the major leagues should expect that they should be able to speak some English.

Since communication at all levels will be a huge part of the success of their career, English should be a top priority for any ball player who does not speak English. Their training, coaching and interaction with their teammates depend on it and they should not expect to be coached in Spanish. However, I do believe a player who is recruited from the DR, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama or Venezuela should be accommodated and that’s where the individual team standards come into play as mentioned in the article. Intensive English lessons could be offered and the players must be committed to attending the lessons. The team management can determine for how long the lessons will be offered. I think collaboration on both sides would prove to be effective and helpful.

Other Spanish-speaking players on the team could even be an inspiration to the ones who are still learning English or have not made the effort especially if a player sees that his lack of English is effecting his development, game play and over all progress. I think it’s essential to understand baseball terms in English if you are Spanish speaker. Just read any an article in Spanish about sports and there are plenty of words that one must understand in each sport. Just imagine hearing those terms in English if you are a Spanish speaker and you will be lost. My suggestion to any Spanish-speaking ball player would be to learn the basic terms related to baseball in English first and then move forward from there, go from short to longer sentences (baseball terms) while grasping the overall fundamentals of the language.

Here's an extract of an article in today's List?n Diario as an example:

AP) Miami
Cardenales 7
Marlins 0
Adam Wainwright lanz? un partido de dos hits, Albert Pujols peg? un cuadranglar y remolc? cuatro carreras para los Cardenales de San Luis, que derrotaron el viernes por 7-0 a los Marlins de Florida.

Wainwright (16-6) ponch? a siete y regal? tres bases por bolas rumbo a su quinto partido completo y segunda blanqueada de esta temporada.

-just in the first two paragraphs alone one has to understand the words/ phrases in Spanish and English (viceversa). I highlighted and underlined what I believe to be key words and short phrases one must understand in English and Spanish.


Pujols da su quinto H4 en ?ltimos seis partidos - List?n Diario Digital



-MP.

 

[DMV123]

Nice in theory but at the age of 13 some kid wanting to make it to the big leagues is not thinking about English.

And odds are he has little education at all and will not see the need to worry about English. He worries about his game, eating and his family and well most likely girls.......... not necessarily in that order............

 

[Marianopolita]

True...

Quite true and my thoughts are definitely aimed primarily at an older group of players in the Major Leagues already.

For example, Yunel Escobar of the Jays is twenty-eight, in the league over four years. He should be able to speak and understand some English by now.


But you know the league has to start somewhere. Ozzie Guill?n's complaint goes in vain if nothing is done or if he does not take the lead and initiate change.

Again just my opinion/ thoughts.



-MP.

 

[bienamor]

Quite true and my thoughts are definitely aimed primarily at an older group of players in the Major Leagues already.

For example, Yunel Escobar of the Jays is twenty-eight, in the league over four years. He should be able to speak and understand some English by now.


But you know the league has to start somewhere. Ozzie Guill?n's complaint goes in vain if nothing is done or if he does not take the lead and initiate change.

Again just my opinion/ thoughts.



-MP.

I'm sorry but he has been in the system for 4 years at the present level, how long before that, as a minor. With the money they are paid they could if they wanted hire their own tutor. Im sure they are not all living in Spanish speaking enclaves. This is like the immigrant to any other country that has lived there for 4 years, and still needs a translator in their hip pocket. Sorry I have no sympathy. Each and every team has at least one other Spanish speaker, not so for the Japanese. Not the same argument. And I would bet that the Asians are taking lessons.

In the following substitute your preferred language and country.

YouTube - ‪Press One For English‬‎

 

[Hillbilly]

The thirty some baseball "academies" here in the DR all have some English language training. English is available on cable television 24/7. The NBA is another dream of young Dominicans and they all watch the games in English most of the time on cable. And music! We can't forget music....most of the kids can rap with the best of them...and it sticks. As an open society, open to almost everything it seems, the kids in the DR can absorb language like sponges (or Sponge Bob Square Pants)...

Would it be good to have tutors full time at each level? Of course it would. For Japanese, Korean and Hispanic or Dutch players (of course the Dutch players would know like four languages anyway!@!)

Again, tutors yes!!

HB

 

[johnny]

Ozzie guillen complaint for everything, sometimes he is right, but most of the times no.
He,s always talking about discrimination against latinos. Well he is latin and he is a manager. where is the discrimination'
Most latin such as Manny, Pujols, A Rod, big papi, etc, have the best salaries. So again where is the discrimination
Manny is making 23millions for being in the hospital and resting at home the whole year.
Ozzie complaint because japanese players get a translator signed by the team and latins doesnt. well, Ozzie there is a reason: japanese player are signed most of them veterans. nobody speak japanese in the dougout, so they need a translator. latins are signed at 16, they spend years in the academics learning some english, 3 or 4 years in USA in minor leagues, and them each team has at least 6 players that are latin , plus coaches, some managers, and bilingue players. So, why they need a translator, most of them speak at least enough english to communicate, plus in most dougouts you hear lot of spanish.
Latinos players that doesnt speak some english is because they dont want to learn. Opportunities they have.

 

[rice&beans]

Waaa!...I wanna go home, but can you still PAY me?

I'm sorry but he has been in the system for 4 years at the present level, how long before that, as a minor. With the money they are paid they could if they wanted hire their own tutor. Im sure they are not all living in Spanish speaking enclaves. This is like the immigrant to any other country that has lived there for 4 years, and still needs a translator in their hip pocket. Sorry I have no sympathy. Each and every team has at least one other Spanish speaker, not so for the Japanese. Not the same argument. And I would bet that the Asians are taking lessons.

In the following substitute your preferred language and country.

YouTube - ‪Press One For English‬‎

Hideki Okajima talks about homesickness, loneliness, and his poor relationship with Boston media | HardballTalk

Not this guy, he has NO interest in learning the English language, with the kind of money he is making...he has a responsibility to the organization,his fans....and especially HIMSELF to at least make an attempt........Very frustrating, so I am not surprised he is not a happy guy.:glasses::glasses:

 

[Marianopolita]

One last attempt to clarify my post # 6 then I am moving on...

I don't believe language learning is as simple as saying they should learn English, Spanish etc. In fact I know it's not. That's why I think that if teams /management recruit players from Latin America they should know that language may be an issue. Bottom line is I don't know any of these players' background or personal life experiences (and going on wiki does not count in my opinion, a personal conversation with a ball player does or reading an article that was an interview with the player) or what learning opportunities and/ or exposure they may have had to English.

Therefore, to say that they should speak some English after xxx number years would be incorrect on my part. I could only hope that after a few years that they can speak some English. That's why I believe it's a two-way street with these players. I think my thoughts parallel very well with Jos? Bautista's. In general, most people in a situation when it comes to learning a language tend to be unique but in the case of a baseball player, if English definitely has an effect on the player's communication with the team, management and his career the effort should be made above and beyond (whatever that requires). I am not disputing that.

Actually, the more I see Yunel Escobar play, the more I wish I can converse with him personally. If he's looking for an English tutor, I can make myself available. No problem.


Once again, I am just expressing my thoughts after having read the article but the real battle is Ozzie Guill?n's with Major League baseball. I am not looking to debate people's opinions here whether I agree with them or not but rather just read people's thoughts on the matter. I find it interesting. Nothing more nothing less.

I've been very impressed with Pedro Mart?nez and his ability to speak English flawlessly. ...

Last year during the World Series, Phillies against the Yankees, I remember hearing Pedro Mart?nez speak and I thought to myself he sounds quite good for a person who probably did not formally study English but learned along the way and by making the effort. In my opinion, he sounds way better than Manny Ram?rez, who in my opinion should be able to speak better but I understand clearly why he does not. In spite of Ozzie's complaint there are many Latino ball players who do speak English and some very well at that. I am not referring to the ones who were born and raised in the US like A-Rod. They should be able to speak English. I am talking about the ones who came from their respective countries and made the adjustment rather successfully.

? bient?t, you will find it interesting what Pedro says about Ozzie's comments. He was interviewed and this article was published three days ago. Look at what he says about the DR players' opportunities to learn English. No voy a decir nada.

Q&A: Pedro Martinez agrees with Ozzie Guillen - Daily Pitch: MLB News, Standings, Schedules & More - USATODAY.com

I also found it interesting that Hideki Matsui of the Yankees last season (he is now on the LA Angels) could not say a word when he was called to the microphone to speak and played six seasons for the team. Again I don't know his circumstances but he could not speak one word of English.

_____________
Go Jays, Go!


-MP.

 

[Marianopolita]

Something good for one player so far...

Well, it seems like Ozzie's rant did not go in vain and in my opinion that's a good thing. Whether people agree with him or not if by speaking out initiates change, even if it's minimal in my opinion that's a good result or the start of something new. The voice of the people ideology may be at play here and he's just the leader.

The reason for my follow up post is because since Ozzie's rant at the beginning of the month and the article I posted on August 7, 2010, Yunel Escobar of the Blue Jays who was mentioned in the article has agreed to taking English lessons twice a week for forty-five minutes. That's a great sign of management/ player cooperation. (Yunel's gain and my loss because I was prepared to tutor him in English ). Hopefully, other players in the league will get the same opportunity via a management/ player agreement like in the Blue Jays organization. This was announced last week during the Jays-Sox series. I guess the organization realized he's worth the investment because once again I watched him play last night against the Angels and he is one good short stop and good up at bat too. He's like an insurance ticket if you need some hits and RBI's.


Another good aspect that came out this for me on a more personal level is awareness of this issue in baseball. Even with the amount of Latino ball players in the Major Leagues, I never pondered this issue of language/ communication among the players and management. On Saturday night, I watched the last few innings of the Ranges vs. Red Sox game and the first aspect I thought about was the communication issue. Do these ball players speak English and if not hopefully they are taking ownership of their need to learn. At one point the line up in one of the innings was six Latin players in a row, three from each team and the first thing I thought of was- "do they speak English?". It was V?ctor Mart?nez, David Ortiz, Adrian Beltr? (Red Sox) then Nelson Cruz, Elvis Andrus and Vladimir Guerrero (Rangers). These are all good ball players and hopefully this language issue is not a problem for any of them.


______________

Go Jays, Go!

-MP.

 

[bachata]

El que anda con cojo al a?o cojea...

In my trip to NY and NJ are I notice that very few of the Hispanics speaks English, in five days I spent over there I was never force to speak English as everywhere people was talking in Spanish.
My English was helpful only when I took the tour bus in The downtown Manhattan as I could understand the tour guy.
here in Raleigh is hard to bump with a Dominican but in NY and NJ is hard to bump with a Gringo in the streets.

haha

JJ