Playing in China reveals several differences

Eighth-grader Ben Emery, playing with a 15-and-under AAU team in China, talks with Times staff writer Brandon Wright about his experiences.

By BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Staff Writer
Published August 17, 2007

The Florida Barracudas, a local 15-and-under AAU team, have been playing in China for the past week. Times staff writer Brandon Wright has been in e-mail contact with Ben Emery, a catcher on the Barracudas, during his trip.

Emery, an eighth-grader at Carwise Middle School, was a member of last year's Dunedin Little League Major Baseball team that reached the Southeast Regional finals. Here is a transcript of the last exchange:

What's it been like playing baseball so far away from home?

It has definitely been different because you don't have the same people cheering for you like you're used to. Language has been a challenge at first, but you get used to it fast. You have to play charades with the umpires a little bit. The game here is different and everyone shows a lot of respect. For instance, when you get into the batters box you have to bow to the umpire, and if they blow a call nobody argues.

I heard you got to see Bonds' record-breaking home run live while on a layover in San Francisco. What was that like?

Yeah, the full house went wild. Fireworks and streamers were everywhere. Even one fan jumped onto the field and got arrested. He made an emotional speech and the game stopped for like 15 minutes, then he went back into the field but got taken out. He almost hit for the cycle. Then we left the inning after it happened.

What's been your favorite part of the trip?

My favorite part has been playing with the other countries. Each team has a style. The bats are way different than what we use, and there hasn't been one first-base mitt.

How much of the trip has been baseball and how much has been fun sightseeing, learning the culture, etc.?

Seventy percent has been baseball. For instance, we have three exhibitions after the tourney. (Thursday) we traveled 21/2 hours to play a minor-league team at Tianjin. We 15-run ruled them in three innings. Then we divided the teams in half for three innings and my team won 1-0.

How have you been playing?

I have been playing great defense but struggling at the plate. I was 3-for-9 with three walks in the tourney. (Thursday) I was 2-2 and got hit by a pitch.

What's the food like?

The food is nothing at all like the Chinese we're used to. But there is a KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut and TGI Fridays here. (On Thursday night, we went) to Hard Rock to eat.

What do you miss most?

American food.

What experience has been the most fun?

We climbed five miles of the Great Wall of China, and it was all stairs. That was the most intense thing I've ever done.

Brandon Wright can be reached at bwright@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2216.

[Last modified August 17, 2007, 01:06:50]