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Brewphoria: Foreign-Born Players

By Dominic Shelden

Story Created: Aug 17, 2011 at 9:15 PM MDT

Story Updated: Aug 18, 2011 at 12:13 PM MDT

Many American kids grow up on nicely groomed little league diamonds. Because of the luxuries we have in american sporting venues, it's easy to take for granted how different things can be in foreign countries.

"When you're in the Dominican and you're little, you grab a broomstick if you have one, grab your dad's old sock, put a rock in it, wrap newspaper and make a ball out of it," Says Helena Pitching coach Elvin Nina.

But despite the differences of equipment, American baseball is heavily influenced by Latin American players.

"When I was in Puerto Rico, a Brewers scout was in practice, and he sees I'm playing good, and they started scouting me." says Helena Short Stop Yadiel Rivera

For Elvin Nina, his family moved to the states when he was a youngster, and it was entertainment that helped learn the language.

"We were forced to watch television, a lot of Sesame Street, those were shows that were pretty instrumental in helping us learn the language."

Rivera came from Puerto Rico just over a year ago. He's still a teenager at 19, and he says it was the English classes offered through the Brewers that have helped him pick up the language,

"I don't speak very much english, but when I came here I picked it up."

But when it comes down to it, the language barrier isn't an overly important issue, and it may just be a benefit to the Latin American players

"Baseball is baseball, you don't even have to be able to speak to play the game. That being said, I think it makes them mentally stronger and tougher," Says Nina

Great Falls & Helena Weather

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Great Falls Great Falls Intl Airport, MT
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Wind : from the Southwest at 31.1 gusting to 40.3 MPH (27 gusting to 35 KT)
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Pressure : 1006.5 mb
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