Language program helps push Rays players through organization
In 2007, the Tampa Bay Rays started the Latin American Cultural and Educational Programs in order to help players who are not from the United States make a smoother transition into playing professional baseball. Coordinated by Milton Jamail, the program provides players with information about what they will be dealing with as they start their professional careers, and offers English classes for the players. Participants are able to learn how to communicate with their teammates, as well as learn more about American cultures. Five Tampa Bay minor league affiliates are involved with the program, but more could arise depending on where players are placed.
The process starts when the players arrive in Port Charlotte, FL. There, they take classes to get acquainted with what is to come for them. Evaluations of the players from those classes are sent to the teachers working with the minor league affiliates in order to better prepare them for their classes. Not all players are at the same level when it comes to speaking English. Some have experience speaking in English in the past, while others are coming into the classes with very limited knowledge of the English language. By knowing the skill level and age of the players, the teacher can formulate a curriculum that will be the most successful for the most number of students.
Classes generally last thirty minutes and are usually small. Here in Princeton, the largest class has six people in it. In places where the team has more people participating in the program, the classes will be a bit larger. In Princeton, the students are divided up into two classes: an advanced class and a beginner/intermediate class. Once players are assigned to teams, Mr. Jamail refers to the evaluations sent up from Florida to determine which class the players should be placed in. However, once classes start students can be moved from class to class if the teacher thinks they would fit in better. Students are given study materials such as flash cards with baseball terms in both English and Spanish and textbooks. From the onset of the program the players are completely submersed in the language and are given the tools to help them succeed in learning how to speak English.
The teacher for the Latino players in Princeton is Faith Workman. Mrs. Workman is a graduate of nearby Concord University and teaches all levels of Spanish at Princeton Senior High School. The 2012 season marks her fourth year as the English teacher for the P-Rays. In the classroom, she tries to tie in things she utilizes when teaching at the high school, such as playing games with the students, and she tries to be funny with the students in order to make them feel more comfortable in class. She understands that sometimes it is hard for the students to speak exclusively in English, and often reminds them to try not to resort to Spanish. Workman strives to make sure she teaches the students things that will be useful to them in everyday life. For example, last summer, in a role-playing activity, the students worked on how to speak to women. Because the program also strives to teach the players about America, Workman integrates information about American holidays and popular foods. By the end of the summer, the players should be well prepared to have conversations in English about a variety of American topics.
Both Mr. Jamail and Mrs. Workman believe in the importance of the players learning English. In the first day of class Mrs. Workman said multiple times, "Professional baseball and English go hand in hand," meaning: they have to know English in order to communicate with their teammates and coaches. "I read somewhere that 90% [of foreign baseball players] go back to their home countries because they are unable to overcome the language barrier." Mr. Jamail says knowing English makes the players more confident on and off the field. When asked during class why they thought it was important for them to learn English, several players said the main is not having to have a translator present during interviews. Not being able to speak English could be the factor that prevents them from progressing through the Rays organization.
Latino players are not the only ones who take part in the Latin American Cultural and Educational Programs. In fact, during the offseason several American players get the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic. For one week, the four to six players who are selected get to travel around and see how their Latino teammates are used to living. They get to stay at the academy owned by the Tampa Bay Rays, and experience what the Dominican Republic has to offer. This experience is one they will take with them for the rest of their lives.
Mr. Jamail hopes this program will continue for many years to come. Even though certain aspects of the program can be expensive Jamail says people at the top of the Rays organization do not see the program as an expense, but rather, as an investment.
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