Jessica Moppin never has been out of the country and knows little of the Cyrillic alphabet.
Yet Moppin, a fixture at second base on Kansas University’s softball team over the last four seasons, jumped at the chance to become a player-coach on the Russian National Team.
“Everyone knows the safe and out signs for softball, so I think I’ll be OK as far as that goes,” Moppin quipped.
Moppin, one of three U.S. softball players tapped to work with the Russians, will leave for a two-week stint next week, then return for another three-week assignment at the end of the summer.
The Russian government threatened to discontinue funding for the national softball program if a competitive team was not formed this summer.
“I hope to be playing middle infield, but you never know : I may be pitcher,” Moppin said. “I just want to help the team. I’m hoping that if I go back next summer I can gain dual citizenship and compete nationally.”
Moppin will earn a stipend while living in a small apartment in a town located about 30 minutes from Moscow. In addition to working with the Russian National Team, she will tutor younger girls.
“I’m excited, but I’m nervous about the language barrier,” Moppin said.
