http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2009/06/28/sports/sports01.txt From Panama to Australia, the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, British Columbia to Florida, the Missoula Osprey come from all over the world. A bilingual clubhouse has become commonplace in professional baseball throughout America. But this season, a third language will join English and Spanish in the Missoula dugout. Added to the linguistic mixing pot this season is catcher Jae Yun Kim, who hails from Seoul, South Korea. Kim was a free agent signed by the affiliate Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008. Kim, who has been learning English for only a handful of months, was provided Changmin Park, an interpreter, to help ease his transition to America by Arizona. Osprey Vice President and General Manager Matt Ellis said Park's presence is a good sign for Kim. “You don't see interpreters assigned to teams, especially at this level, unless the organization thinks very highly of the player,” Ellis said. “ They are doing everything they can to make the cultural crossover easier.” Kim, one of two sons of a small business owner in Seoul, comes to the Osprey with lofty goals and an optimistic smile. “It is exciting to be a minor league player, but my dream is to be a major league player,” Kim said through his interpreter. “I'm excited for the big challenge. I sometimes miss home and my parents, but this is what I have always wanted to do.” The need for an interpreter was magnified by not only the cultural and linguistic barrier faced by Kim, but also because the Diamondbacks put such a strong emphasis on catcher-pitcher relationships. The need for proper communication is paramount to Kim's development as an all-around player. The Osprey coaching staff said the transition to communicating with a player via interpreter has been an interesting one. “It's been a little bit challenging working through an interpreter simply because he (Park) is not a baseball guy,” said Osprey hitting coach Jason Hardtke. “He was a power lifter and a trainer. He is kind of learning baseball too. That has been the most difficult part, but his English is great and he has been great. It's a learning process for him, too.” “Sometimes it is tough, but he (Kim) is getting better with his English,” added second-year Osprey Manager Audo Vicente. “The big thing is he is a hard worker. He wants to get better, he wants to work on his English. If he would have come here right away, it would have been tough. But those few months in spring training helped. It will still be a little tough, but nothing he can't handle.” Even before being assigned to Missoula, Kim spent months learning English in South Korea after signing his contract. While in Tucson, Ariz., for extended spring training, he took English classes for two hours a day. He said he can understand basic questions, but most Americans speak far too quickly for him to fully comprehend. He estimates that he already understands 60 percent-70 percent of what the coaches say to him relating to baseball. The Osprey hope that work ethic goes beyond breaking down language barriers. Kim is regarded as a prospect with potential. “The scouting report we got on him is that he is still trying to learn the American game because it is different, and his tools are real raw,” Ellis said. “He has a really high ceiling and they think he definitely has a bright future in the organization.” The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Kim said the main difference between the American game and the Korean game is style. He said Korean pitchers are very accurate, but do not throw nearly as hard as American pitchers. He also said Korean baseball puts an emphasis on speed, both on the base paths and defensively, more so than in America. One thing that translates across all styles of baseball is the ability to hit. Hardtke said Kim certainly has the makeup to excel. “He was opening some eyes right away because the ball jumps off his bat,” Hardtke said. “He is a young guy, so he needs to work on his approach at the plate. At the end of extended spring he was swinging at every first pitch and almost every second pitch. If it happened to be a fastball inside he ripped it, but if not, he was in trouble. We will continue to work on that. But he is a real natural, talented hitter.” Becoming acclimated to international competition is nothing new for Kim. Before signing with Arizona, Kim was part of the Korean U-18 National Team. His team won the World Junior Championships in 2008. “It was a very good chance to have a game with other foreign teams,” Kim said. “I learned the different types of baseball styles - Canadian, American. I always tried to be the diamond's best player because of all the scouts.” The catcher is humble in his assessment of all his skills. The one thing he knows he is not good at is running. But running against him? Kim said his greatest attribute as a catcher is his throwing arm. Regardless of what might be the most polished part of Kim's game right now, the ceiling can only rise. He is one of seven Osprey who are 18 years old. Vicente said Kim only stands to get better as he grows and becomes more polished. “He has a very accurate arm,” Vicente said. “He is only 18. He is accurate, he can hit. You can say he is further ahead than most guys who are 18.” Moving around the world following high school graduation would be a culture shock for almost anyone. Kim's parents worry about his ability to adapt to America, but they are supportive because they know he is chasing his dream. “My father taught me baseball, and he is always encouraging me, telling me I can do it,” Kim said. “Sometimes they tell me they miss me so much, but they are proud.” Transitioning to America, acclimating yourself to life on your own, chasing your dream as a professional athlete; all are somewhat daunting tasks for an 18-year-old. The Osprey seem to believe Kim has what it takes. Vicente, who speaks both English and Spanish, said at the end of the day, they all have the same goals and one common thread unites them as a team. “He is fine because we all have already figured out how to communicate using the game,” Vicente said. “Signs, communication, understanding what is going on; baseball brings us together. We all communicate through baseball.” --

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