The ball is hit into play. As the next batter approaches the batter’s box, hitting specialist Cara Johnson-Hirsch tells her hitter what pitch to look for and how to put it in play.

Of course, that is before her translator tells her how to communicate those very instructions.

Ever since Johnson-Hirsch was a child, softball has been a very important part of her life. Now she is helping members of the Chinese Taipei Olympic softball team make it an important part of theirs.

The Alexandria native is currently in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, mentoring the 2008 Olympic team as a batting specialist. She tutors and shows the girls how to help their hitting mechanics, approach at the plate and other facets of the game.

“They all seem to be polished athletes with a lot of experience,” Johnson-Hirsch said recently. “For the most part, the coaches and players are searching for ways to improve swing speed and hitting movement. I have been able to introduce different drills, methods of learning and practice structures, most importantly having someone to help build confidence in the hitters.”

One of the challenges Johnson-Hirsch has faced is the language barrier with the coaches and the players, as well as anyone she comes in contact with. By her side, however, is a translator who helps her communicate more easily and help her focus on the job at hand.

“Most of the players and coaches understand a little English, but not much,” Johnson-Hirsch said. “Before I left, I listened to “Learn Chinese In Your Car” CDs and had a friend help me with simple phrases.”

Johnson-Hirsch has learned that patience is the key to helping out a player when there is confusion over what is being instructed.

“I am doing my best to learn as much as I can while I am here,” Johnson-Hirsch said. “I have to be very patient with the translation process when coaching. I am using a lot of film and video with the coaches and the players.”

The day-to-day culture also varies somewhat from that in the United States.

“Besides looking different and sounding different from the rest of the people here, the culture is very similar,” Johnson-Hirsch said. “They care about one another and their community. I haven’t had much interaction with people who aren’t involved with the softball program, but they are very friendly, kind and team-oriented ,just like at home.”

At the moment, the Republic of China has control over the island of Taiwan. This is one of the reasons the Chinese Taipei Olympic team is not referred to as the Taiwan National team. One of the other problems is that the International Olympic Committee has decided it will not permanently adopt softball or baseball after the Beijing Olympics.

When Johnson-Hirsch returns home in mid-March, she will return to her as a fast-pitch softball trainer here in Anderson.

“Since this was the last time softball will be in the Olympics, I felt this was something I had to do or I would regret it for the rest of my life,” Johnson-Hirsch said. “This was a chance for me to be a part of the Olympics somehow someway.”

For more information, go to http://teamindiana.softballone.com or check out Johnson-Hirsch’s ongoing blog at http://www. softballone.com/blog.