By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
OAKLAND CITY, Ind. -- Forget standard chants like "Here we go (insert name), here we go" or "Let's go kid" when it comes to taking in a baseball game at Oakland City University.
When former Hopkins County Central player Jorge Tauil and his seven Spanish-speaking teammates dig into the batter's box, fans may yell "Hip, hip, Jorge," "Let's go chico" or "Vamonos."
That's because the Oaks roster boasts seven Venezuelans like Tauil and one Puerto Rico native.
Although the players adjust to their secondary language, English, in the classroom and daily routine, on the baseball diamond, the Spanish tongue provides many advantages.
"It's good because you can cheat, let's just put it that way," Tauil said. "Today in our game, our three hole guy was hitting and he lined it to right field and the right fielder lost it. The pitching coach was telling me the signs and I was telling (our batter) in Spanish to stay back or look for the fastball.
"I asked him after his at-bat and he said he was paying attention to me and staying back. He went the other way with the ball, so it helps a lot."
Tauil, a sophomore, said he also takes advantage by picking up signs himself from the catcher.
When former Hopkins County Central player Jorge Tauil and his seven Spanish-speaking teammates dig into the batter's box, fans may yell "Hip, hip, Jorge," "Let's go chico" or "Vamonos."
That's because the Oaks roster boasts seven Venezuelans like Tauil and one Puerto Rico native.
Although the players adjust to their secondary language, English, in the classroom and daily routine, on the baseball diamond, the Spanish tongue provides many advantages.
"It's good because you can cheat, let's just put it that way," Tauil said. "Today in our game, our three hole guy was hitting and he lined it to right field and the right fielder lost it. The pitching coach was telling me the signs and I was telling (our batter) in Spanish to stay back or look for the fastball.
"I asked him after his at-bat and he said he was paying attention to me and staying back. He went the other way with the ball, so it helps a lot."
Tauil, a sophomore, said he also takes advantage by picking up signs himself from the catcher.
"Sometimes, I'm a runner on second and there's a guy hitting, I get the sign and I just yell it in Spanish," he said. "No one is listening to me and I'm like 'Stay back, it's a breaking ball,' or 'Look for a fastball.'"
Most of Tauil's teammates, however, do not speak Spanish and he said he feels bad when he can't help the other players in the same fashion.
This year's World Baseball Classic provided a perfect opportunity for the Venezuelan and American-born Oak players to exude national pride as the two countries squared off three times.
Tauil, who dawned a Venezuelan national cap and shirt after his Wednesday doubleheader, said he and his teammates watched the games on both ESPN and ESPN Deportes, a Spanish version of the sports cable channel.
Venezuela beat the U.S. team in two of the three games, but the Americans won their game in large fashion, 15-6. Following the win, many of the U.S.-born Oakland players pointed out American player Kevin Youkilis' big home run in the victory.
"When USA beat us the first time, the next day on our board in our dugout, coach wrote 'Youkilis' because he had a bomb that day," Tauil said. "All the Americans were just making fun."
Tauil turned the tables when the team's met again.
"We beat them next time, so I wrote on the board 'Youkilis?,' so it was kind of fun," he said.
Tauil, a native of Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, represents one of nearly two dozen students from his country at the approximate 750-student campus.
To earn extra money, Tauil works part time at the school's International Admissions Office with Paul Bukonja, a 2006 grad and first Venezuelan to attend OCU.
In the office, Tauil communicates with potential international students via e-mail and phone, speaking in English and Spanish.
Bukonja, who also hails from Tauil's hometown, said it's vital for current foreign students to give endorsements to those interested in attending OCU and that's how the school recruits most of its international pupils.
"Basically it's by word of mouth," Bukonja said. "They like it too and they all have friends back home and talk to their friends and they end up coming here."
In addition to the baseball team, three Venezuelan athletes play on Oakland City's soccer team and one for the basketball squad.
"A big plus here in America, you guys offer the opportunity of getting an education and playing a sport at the same time, which unfortunately back home you have to choose," Bukonja said.
This fact directly impacted Tauil's decision to attend OCU upon graduation as a foreign-exchange student at Central. Tauil also considered Kentucky Wesleyan College, but ultimately chose his current school because of its Spanish presence.
Entering Wednesday's doubleheader with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Tauil has posted a .299 average and started all 22 games he has played. This summer, Tauil plans to stay on campus to continue working with the International Admissions Office.
Most of Tauil's teammates, however, do not speak Spanish and he said he feels bad when he can't help the other players in the same fashion.
This year's World Baseball Classic provided a perfect opportunity for the Venezuelan and American-born Oak players to exude national pride as the two countries squared off three times.
Tauil, who dawned a Venezuelan national cap and shirt after his Wednesday doubleheader, said he and his teammates watched the games on both ESPN and ESPN Deportes, a Spanish version of the sports cable channel.
Venezuela beat the U.S. team in two of the three games, but the Americans won their game in large fashion, 15-6. Following the win, many of the U.S.-born Oakland players pointed out American player Kevin Youkilis' big home run in the victory.
"When USA beat us the first time, the next day on our board in our dugout, coach wrote 'Youkilis' because he had a bomb that day," Tauil said. "All the Americans were just making fun."
Tauil turned the tables when the team's met again.
"We beat them next time, so I wrote on the board 'Youkilis?,' so it was kind of fun," he said.
Tauil, a native of Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, represents one of nearly two dozen students from his country at the approximate 750-student campus.
To earn extra money, Tauil works part time at the school's International Admissions Office with Paul Bukonja, a 2006 grad and first Venezuelan to attend OCU.
In the office, Tauil communicates with potential international students via e-mail and phone, speaking in English and Spanish.
Bukonja, who also hails from Tauil's hometown, said it's vital for current foreign students to give endorsements to those interested in attending OCU and that's how the school recruits most of its international pupils.
"Basically it's by word of mouth," Bukonja said. "They like it too and they all have friends back home and talk to their friends and they end up coming here."
In addition to the baseball team, three Venezuelan athletes play on Oakland City's soccer team and one for the basketball squad.
"A big plus here in America, you guys offer the opportunity of getting an education and playing a sport at the same time, which unfortunately back home you have to choose," Bukonja said.
This fact directly impacted Tauil's decision to attend OCU upon graduation as a foreign-exchange student at Central. Tauil also considered Kentucky Wesleyan College, but ultimately chose his current school because of its Spanish presence.
Entering Wednesday's doubleheader with the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Tauil has posted a .299 average and started all 22 games he has played. This summer, Tauil plans to stay on campus to continue working with the International Admissions Office.
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