Click here to watch a related audio slideshow featuring the Morris brothers and their league.

The influx of international players has been seen in Major League Baseball for many years, from Roberto Clemente to Fernando Valenzuela to Ichiro Suzuki.

The Morris Baseball League has its own international flavor, which was unplanned when the Morris brothers created the league.

Since the league’s launch, three different Asian players have participated in the league.

In 2007, it was Takuma and in 2008 it was Masashi “Bob” Nakamura. Both players are from Japan.

“The first year we were starting off, we were just looking for two teams,” Donte Morris said. “We were just looking for any type of player. We met this guy from Japan who had a friend who wanted to play baseball.”

This year, it is Dennis Chen, an 18-year-old business student who has dual citizenship in Taiwan and the United States.

Chen was born in New York but grew up in Taiwan.

Chen said he has had a little difficulty in adjusting to the American style of baseball.

“In Taiwan, people are not as intense,” Chen said. “Here, batting feels more aggressive than back in Taiwan.”

However, Chen said he thinks it is better here, as it gives him more of a chance to play.

Dominic Morris said the international flavor is great for the league.

“Every year, we get an international player,” Dominic Morris said.

Dominic Morris said it brings a different experience to the league.

“We grew up and played with guys who looked like us and talked like us,” Dominic Morris said. “When you have a guy who comes from a whole other country and still play the sport you play, that’s kind of interesting. They might play the game a little differently. “

Dominic Morris said there are some obstacles for Chen in adapting to the American game and lifestyle.

“Not only is there a language barrier, but there’s a culture barrier,” Dominic Morris said. “Someone might say something like, ‘Bring it up,’ when we tell everybody to huddle, he’ll say ‘What’s bring it up?’ Short-term slang like that is tough to relate to.”

Donte Morris said small ball is standard for many players from Asia.

Chen plays for the Dragons, which is the team Dominic Morris plays for and coaches.

“It brings a positive effect to the league,” Dominic Morris said. “We can reach out to different areas and different cultures.”

Dustin Nosler can be reached at [email protected]