Puerto Rican players help fuel Allegheny County baseball
MONROEVILLE, Pa. (BVM) — Alejandro Dasta often finds himself serving as the translator for his primarily Spanish-speaking teammates. The Community College of Allegheny County shortstop doesn’t mind serving in this role, but also wants to let them have the opportunity to find their own words.
“Sometimes I get caught being the translator,” Dasta said. “The ones who don’t know as much English, I let them speak a little bit and if they pause, I help them out.”
Dasta, who is a native of Florida, Puerto Rico, a city of roughly 11,000 people in the U.S. territory, is one of six Puerto Ricans on CCAC’s 18-man roster this season.
Infielders Abel Adorno, Abraham Herrera, catchers Derek Colon and Derek Gell and pitcher Angel Quinones are also from Puerto Rico.
“It’s a culture shock at times for some of these guys,” CCAC coach Bill Spina said. “The language barrier is tough, but they adapt well. This group meshes well together. They get along and like this is something different.”
Spina, who served several years as an assistant before taking over as head coach this year, CCAC has expanded its territory far behind the bounds of Allegheny County. While working as an assistant, Spina made contacts with the Carlos Beltran Academy, which is located in Florida, Puerto Rico.
CCAC is able to mesh players well together. This is because many of their players come from a multitude of backgrounds themselves. Outfielder Tanner Schmitt went to school at just outside of Pittsburgh at North Hills, but didn’t feel like he lived up to his potential. When he first came to CCAC, he played one game before the team’s season and the one following it would be canceled by the pandemic.
Schmidt, who is third nationally in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III by hitting .516 at the plate, was impressed with the team’s diversity.
“It was definitely a different experience,” said Schmitt, who is drawing interest from Indiana (Pa.) and West Virginia Tech. “My first year here, there were guys speaking Spanish. It was the first time I had ever been a part of a team like that. It was a cool experience, having guys from different areas playing together.”
Dasta was able to find his way to CCAC thanks to staff at the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy, which is located in his hometown. The staff posted videos of him on YouTube playing baseball.
When Dasta moved to Monroeville, there were plenty of changes to adapt to playing baseball besides the rigors of playing college baseball.
Spina said many of the guys who come in to play for CCAC usually rent apartments in Monroeville.
This allows them to get ready to prepare for the climate and cultural change.
Dasta, who has a .440 batting average and has driven in five runs, said he was able to quickly adapt to the environment.
“The weather is different,” Dasta said. “In Puerto Rico, it’s summer all year. After a few months, you get used to the weather (in Pittsburgh). You get used to the weather too.”
For a lot of the guys, CCAC is a different experience.
Second baseman Ray Santiago is a Florida native who played in CCAC’s last season before the pandemic, which was in 2019. Santiago only decided to return shortly before this season started.
CCAC’s culture convinced him to come back.
“We all get along really well,” Santiago said. “A lot of guys from Puerto Rico fit right in. A lot of those guys are bilingual and the guys here make it easy for them.”
The roster at CCAC is an eclectic bunch. The diversity makes it easier for everyone to accept each other. CCAC’s players are bonded by baseball.
Right fielder Larence Bielawski went to high school in Ohio, but is originally from Mt. Lebanon. Bielawski saw an ad for CCAC and decided to come out for the team. He leads the team in home runs and RBIs.
Before Bielawski plays in games, he has to go to class and go to work.
“I deliver, flip and clean rugs,” Bielawski said. “It’s for a family friend and that’s who I have been working for a while now. It’s a grind, but it prepares me for baseball. If anything, it warms me up.”
For Dasta, he is still hoping his performance at CCAC will take him on another adventure. So far, he’s received interest from Ottawa University in Arizona and West Virginia Tech.
“My goal is to go to a four-year school,” Dasta said.
