After reading the passage below, answer the questions that follow. Be sure to "submit" your response for each question. You will initially receive full credit for each question, but your grade may change once your instructor reviews your responses. Be sure to check the grade book for your final grade.
The International American Pastime
The typical Major League Baseball (MLB) team has a full roster of players and a substantial staff of coaches who work with players on specific skills. There is the general manager, a bullpen coach, a batting coach, and a bevy of trainers and coordinators. And, sometimes, there is a language coach.
In any given year, about a quarter of MLB players are foreign born (Lagesse, 2016). Many arrive in American locker rooms with much fanfare but few or no English skills. In order to succeed as part of a team, however, it is crucial that they be able to communicate with their teammates and coaches, both on and off the field. For Asian players — most drafted straight out of the Japanese leagues, like Yoshihisa Hirano and Shohei Ohtani — translators are essential. They have long accompanied players on the field during practices and games or to assist with interviews (Associated Press, 2014).
Although it is common for teams to use translators for Asian players, they have historically relied on bilingual teammates or coaches to communicate with their Latino players. Some players attend minor league training academies that include classes on English and financial skills for living in America (Lagesse, 2016). But for many, the lessons are not enough to give them the confidence to conduct an interview with an English-speaking reporter. MLB rules require all teams to hire full-time Spanish translators to assist with media obligations (Associated Press, 2016). The initiative comes as a relief to many rookie and veteran players who can now trust that their messages will not be lost in translation.