Palestinian you should know: Adam Musa

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.

Adam Musa is an outfielder and pitcher for the Palestinian national baseball team.

Musa pitched seven solid innings for Team Palestine during the West Asia Cup. The team had a small pitching staff, so his performance was a huge stress reliever. He struck out 10 batters and only gave up one hit as he pitched half the team’s innings during the group stage and semi finals.

Palestine in America and Musa discussed his baseball history and his expectations for the team.

Palestine in America [PiA]: Where are your parents from?

Adam Musa [AM]: Dad is from America, [and his] family is from Beit Jeez, Palestine. My mom is from America with backgrounds of Italian, German and Polish. 

PiA: Who introduced you to baseball?

AM: My dad introduced me to baseball at a very young age of 3. As soon as I was able to throw, he gave me the ball in my right hand and I would put the glove on my right hand and switch the ball to my left hand to throw. 

PiA: What’s the highest level you’ve competed at?

AM: Highest level I have competed at is high school, but recently, the Pakistan tournament. 

PiA: How would you compare high school to playing internationally and representing Palestine?

AM: Playing internationally and representing Palestine just has a different feel to it. It’s kind of hard for me to put in words. I know I have everyone watching and supporting me. I came home from the tournament and was getting recognized at the Arabic store, mosque and other places as “the pitcher.” It feels weird, but knowing I have everyone watching and supporting Palestine is the best feeling in the world. It gives me goosebumps talking about it. 

PiA: What are your expectations for the team the rest of this calendar year?

AM: Expectations for the team is to just build. Let’s get a strong foundation going in hopes to have this going for the rest of our lives and, inshallah, my kids. 

PiA: Where do you see the Palestinian national team in five years?

AM: I see the team competing at a higher level with a lot more diverse backgrounds of Arab descents in hopes of shedding light on our real talent and representing our country even stronger than ever. 

PiA: What is your favorite team, and who is your favorite player?

AM: Favorite team is the Chicago Cubs – cubbie blue till the day I die. My favorite player is [retired player] Alfonso Soriano.