New MLB rule will require teams have full-time Spanish translators

Major League Baseball will require teams to employ a full-time Spanish translator next season. The league recently sent out memos to clubs outlining the new policy, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

The initiative, which is called the Spanish-language translator program, is a joint effort by the league and the Players Association. The fact that both sides worked together on the project probably speaks to its importance. 

[Elsewhere: The Marlins have agreed to a deal with pitcher Wei-Yin Chen]

Spanish-speaking players make up such a big part of the game, and they should be able to clearly express themselves to teammates and other members of the organization if they don’t speak English. The transition from a Spanish-speaking country to the United States can often be overwhelming, and this new policy could ease some of that initial discomfort. 

As Crasnick pointed out, some teams do currently have translators on staff, but MLB wanted to be sure the practice became a league-wide policy. Most teams do designate a translator for Spanish-speaking players, but it’s usually another player who is bilingual, a member of the training staff or someone else in the front office. The new program will ensure there is one person designated as the team’s translator. 

While having those part-time translators around is helpful, it’s not perfect. New York Yankees outfielder Carlos Beltran spoke out against the lack of Spanish translators in 2014, after Michael Pineda spoke to reporters without a translator following his ejection for using pine tar. In March, the league said it was working with the Players Association in order to add more translators.

The policy should be beneficial to all sides. Players who speak Spanish will now have a full-time translator available, the employees who were previously translating will have less on their plates and members of the media will have an easier time getting interviews from players if there is a language gap. 

Considering the number of Spanish-speaking players in the league, it’s a surprise something like this wasn’t enacted sooner. Still, credit to MLB for requiring teams to add this position. There’s absolutely no downside to having a full-time translator as a member of each club.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

– – – – – – –

Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik