Baseball In Cambodia Lives Through Wiregrass Man

wsfa.com
March 5, 2008

Dothan, Al (WSFA) -- It's Americas pastime. Baseball is something many here grow up knowing. However, for one Wiregrass man, it's much more.

It was an escape from a violent past.

Now he's using that game to teach kids about the country that took him in. He's your average joe.

Joe Cook loves baseball. It makes him feel American.

He and his family were forced from their native Cambodia to escape the genocide of the Khmer Rouge in early 1980's.

"Everything was just overwhelming at the time," said Cook.

Baseball opened up so much for Joe. He's married with two children, and working as a chef in Dothan.

His first trip back to Cambodia was in 2002. It was then, he decided he needed to take the game that gave him so much, to the kids of Cambodia.

"I'll bring glove, balls and I'm going to teach you how to play baseball," said Cook.

With his promise, Joe and the people of Baribo built their own field.

However, Joe's dream has been tough. He doesn't make much, what he does earn goes to paying bills and his family.

His passion for baseball in Cambodia keeps it going.

Cook said, "I throw ball to the kid, they throw back to me, there's so much joy in that kids eye."

In December of 2007 Cambodia's first national baseball team competed in the Southeast Asian games.

Cook was able to be a part of that experience because to many he's the father of baseball in Cambodia.

"They always come up to me, ask me questions to learn about new things," said Cook.

Reporter: Daniel Curtis