Mon Mar 31 23:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Reds Star Elly De La Cruz’s English Fluency Inspires Teammates

**Cincinnati, OH** – Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz’s impressive English skills, showcased publicly throughout his rookie season, are inspiring a wave of bilingualism among the team’s Latin American players. De La Cruz’s fluency, a testament to his dedication and the Reds’ comprehensive language program, is having a ripple effect throughout the organization.

De La Cruz, who surprised reporters last year by conducting a press conference entirely in English, credits his English teacher, Kaitlin Beltre, the Reds’ education coordinator, for her significant support. Beltre, who has worked with De La Cruz since his time at the Reds’ Dominican academy, notes that his willingness to speak publicly in English has encouraged other international players to follow suit. “Once Elly started doing it, more and more of our international players said, ‘Teacher, I want to do an interview in English,'” Beltre stated.

The Reds’ wellness and education department offers mandatory English classes at their Dominican academy and Arizona complex, along with optional high school programs. Over 80 players participate in these initiatives, highlighting the club’s commitment to player development both on and off the field. Becky Schnakenberg, the Reds’ director of wellness and education, praised De La Cruz’s consistent participation and eagerness to learn.

While De La Cruz’s natural talent and self-confidence played a crucial role, Beltre emphasizes the importance of his consistent effort outside the classroom. The transition to conducting interviews in a second language before a large audience is challenging, but De La Cruz’s success demonstrates the program’s effectiveness in building confidence and encouraging players to embrace the opportunity to communicate effectively with fans and media.

The Reds are expanding their language support programs, incorporating post-game interview practice sessions via Zoom. This proactive approach aims to further empower players to express themselves fluently in English and solidify their connection with the wider baseball community. De La Cruz, now a rising star featured in national advertisements and video games, continues to improve his English, serving as a role model for his teammates and a testament to the impact of dedicated language instruction within professional sports.

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