Four countries represent Southern Baseball's varsity roster
By Dyuce Woodson
May 5, 2023 –Not only does Southern High School baseball represent Okolona, but it also represents four different countries.
“We have probably the most uniquely diverse roster in the state, without question,” Southern baseball head coach Jim Gross said. “Of our varsity roster, 17 guys, it’s seven Cuban players, one Dominican, one Venezuelan, one Puerto Rican and seven Americans.”
More than half of the roster wasn’t born in the continental United States.
While the team can exchange knowledge of different cultures and languages off the field, on the field, they see how being bilingual can lead to wins.
“It’s almost like a secret power because no one else understands and, it’s like, sometimes I don’t even understand,” Senior Eric L. said. Eric is one of the continental American-born players on the team. “So, it’s like they got their own game plan and we got our own game plan but it works well together.”
It's the love of baseball, and some similarities in terms of upbringing, that help make the unifying culture that is Trojan pride.
“It’s developing our culture without making any inference to theirs,” Gross said. “We’re all Southern baseball, regardless of whether you’re Venezuelan or from Okolona, it doesn’t matter.”