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Leagues and Governing Bodies

MLB, MLBPA Working To Place Spanish-Speaking Interpreters On Every Team

MLB has been "working with the players’ union on an initiative this season to encourage every team to have a Spanish-speaking interpreter to help players communicate with the largely English-speaking news media in their native language," according to Billy Witz of the N.Y. TIMES. MLBPA Exec Dir Tony Clark said that the union "was in the process of hiring interpreters." A league spokesperson "confirmed the plans for the program and, like Clark, was uncertain when the interpreters would begin to be deployed this season, and whether the clubs would be required to comply, or simply encouraged." Witz notes MLB "allows for language services, if requested, as well as for on-field assistance, but the program being developed with the union is an attempt to make interpreters more accessible." Yankees RF Carlos Beltran early last season "urged the union to push Major League Baseball for Spanish-language interpreters to be part of every team’s public relations staff." Beltran: “If this can avoid miscommunication, avoid a lot of things that can turn into distractions, that’s what it’s all about. Everyone should have a fair chance to send the message they want to send.” Beltran added, "If you come from a Latin country, it’s always good to learn the language -- it will open the door for you. But at the same time, I also believe every team should have a Spanish-speaking PR guy that can help these guys, especially in a city like New York." Witz notes Yankees P C.C. Sabathia "sensed that reporters did not interview" former Yankees 2B Robinson Cano "as often as his status as one of the team’s best players might suggest because he was not an expansive speaker in English" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/31).

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