One of the best things about technology is that it can make a big world a little smaller, and bridge the gaps humans have in communication and understanding by making things possible that previous generations could never have imagined. For instance, baseball is a game that, although it’s thought of as a uniquely American sport, is actually popular with children all over the world.
Due to this popularity, for decades there have been games played in things such as the Little League World Series where American children travel to other parts of the world and play the game against other kids who live in an entirely different culture. In fact, a lot of times, the only common language between the American kids and the other kids on the field is the language of baseball. Thanks to technology, all of that is changing.
Bob Holtzman, a man who was formerly a sports anchor with ESPN, but who now works with Infield Chatter of the Major League Baseball Association, captured a touching moment that showed this very thing recently when he was covering the Little League World Series. The American Midwest team had been eliminated, and the Dominican Republican team, representing the Carribean, was going to face a must win game in order to stop their elimination.
The coolest thing I’ve seen today: players from the DR and South Dakota having a conversation w/ @Google translate. #MLBLittleLeagueClassic pic.twitter.com/qUyVZPgr44
— bob holtzman (@Bob_Holtzman) August 20, 2017
In the midst of this sat two players, one from each of those teams, who appeared to be glued to their phones. Instead of dismissing it as “kids today, always on their phones,” Holtzman took a closer look and was touched to see that the boys were talking to each other, despite the fact that they spoke two completely different languages.
The boys were using apps on their phone, specifically Google Translate, to communicate with each other, and make a friendship that could cross cultural and language boundaries. Although we don’t have details on what the boys were saying to each other, after all, friendship can be a very private thing, the story of the two has touched people all over the world during a very turbulent time in our history.
These boys are teaching the world an important lesson, and one that has resonated amidst a week of hurricanes and tragedy. You should always take the time to talk to each other, and if you can, you should never be afraid of a stranger just because they are different, but you should try to understand them and value those differences. These boys, although they may not be World Series champions, are truly champions at being great human beings.
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Source: Today
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