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The article doesn't mention visa problems.
But that is something I have always wondered about. You hear about some players from other countries (mostly, it seems, the Dominican Republic) who have “visa problems” every year.
Why is this? It’s no surprise, or shouldn’t be, that these players are expected to have to report to work about mid-February each year. Who’s causing these “problems”? Is it the INS? Is it the authorities in the DR?
Anyone know the scoop?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Feb 23, 2009 3:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Not sure how reliable Rotowire is, but they report visa issues in a short blurb
It had been reported that there were issues with his visa, possibly due to being traded from the Chicago Cubs to Baltimore. Manager Dave Trembley seems a bit agitated about the holdup, but it is not clear whether it is Pie’s fault or not that he has not yet arrived.
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on Feb 23, 2009 7:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
OK, but...
… that still doesn’t answer my general question. Why would this be an issue? It’s known by the player and whatever team he plays for that the visa has to be done by February 15 or thereabouts. Who’s holding this up? The authorities in the DR?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Feb 23, 2009 7:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Problems
Actually the problems can come for a variety of reasons. Teams usually apply for visas for their foreign players in the fall prior to the next season. The applications go to INS within the US and are processed within a couple of months. The individual players must then make appointments with their US consulates in their home country which are usually done in January or February. Additional requirements must be met for players with any sort of prior legal trouble, particularly OWI’s.
Even if some teams are capable of getting all of the players together at the same time to go over to the consulate, you can see how difficult it would be to get a mass visa clearance, particularly when you’re talking about individuals with varying backgrounds.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
by krummy12 on Feb 23, 2009 9:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Felix Pie has decided to cut to the chase and report directly to the Orioles Triple A team
by BLou on Feb 23, 2009 8:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
He's gunning for the Triple A All Star team right next to Mark Prior.
Greg Maddux could put a baseball through a Life Saver if you asked him. ~ Joe Morgan
by Sioux City Cubs Fan on Feb 23, 2009 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Prior first would need to pitch without a towel
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 23, 2009 10:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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