Palestinian you should know: Rumsey Yasin
The following is from the special “Baseball Edition” of Palestine in America. The print edition of this magazine is exclusively for our subscribers. The digital version is available to the public for $2.
Rumsey Yasin had an explosive debut with the Palestinian national team last January in Pakistan.
Yasin, who currently plays NCAA Division II baseball, led the team with 10 runs batted in and a batting average above .400. The first baseman joined the team late last year, but is already committed to helping this team grow on and off the field.
Palestine in America asked Yasin to describe playing for the Palestinian national team, his expectations for the team and what it means to him to be a part of it.
Palestine in America [PiA]: Who introduced you to baseball?
Rumsey Yasin [RY]: The people who introduced me to baseball were my parents. When I was about 7, my parents put me in soccer to start off with, but instead of kicking the ball, I would always try to catch it and throw it around so my parents put me in tee ball. Fourteen years later, I am now playing Division II baseball [and] for my national team, and none of this would have happened if they weren't by my side.
PiA: What’s the highest level you've competed at?
RY: At the highest level of baseball, I competed in international ball and also faced up against regional teams across the country where college kids from all over the nation played each other.
PiA: How would you compare that to playing internationally and representing Palestine?
RY: The way I would compare that to playing internationally and representing Palestine is quite simple: I am very grateful to have been able to play at a high level of college baseball, but when it comes to representing Palestine and my brothers and sisters, nothing compares. It's a feeling of me looking down at my chest and seeing Palestine written across my chest. It isn't just for us and baseball, but our people back home who we are representing and creating a voice for [and] spreading awareness through a sport me and my teammates love to play.
PiA: What are your expectations for the team the rest of this calendar year?
RY: My expectations for this calendar year are quite simple, and that is to compete. We have a lot of talent on this team, and we are going to make some noise in Taiwan at the end of the year. We are going into every game with the mindset of winning.
PiA: Where do you see the Palestinian national team in five years?
RY: I see the national team in the next five years on the rise in the rankings and making a name not only in baseball for Palestine but also raising awareness for Palestine as a whole. I see the team being able to go to Palestine and make fields for kids to play on. Try and make this a continuing thing, give back to our people, and help build the future of Palestine baseball through the youth. The future outlook is bright for this program.
PiA: What is your favorite team, and who is your favorite player?
RY: My favorite team is the Chicago Cubs and my favorite player is Ronald Acuña Jr. [currently of the Atlanta Braves].
