Junior Phil Berthiaume, UTA's outfielder from Canada, has more than just quick legs and a good arm.

The youngest of five, all three of Berthiaume's older brothers play baseball and got him into the sport when he was nine. Although he didn't have much agility when he was younger, he was fast. So, they put him in the outfield and it has been the perfect fit for him with his speed and strong arm.

Berthiaume is from Quebec City, Canada. He moved to the states to play baseball for Seminole State College in Oklahoma. Although Canada has some good summer ball, players often come to the U.S. if they want to play in college and advance into professional baseball. Plus, the cold, snowy, Canadian winters don't make for the most cooperative weather - aye.

Seminole State was a shock for Berthiaume, but he learned a lot and had fun doing it. The training was even different from back in Quebec. He said in Quebec, the training a little calmer, and the coaches at Seminole State were tough.

"It was difficult to adjust to but once I figured it out, it was a lot of fun," Berthiaume said.

Besides baseball, language was another barrier. While French is his first language, he was taught English early in school, but says it's different than constantly speaking it.

There were many other adjustments as well such as the environment, culture, mentality and politics. According to Berthiaume, Canada tends to be more democratic, and not too religious. Pretty much everything is different, not that it was tough on him though. He found it new, fun and exciting. His mother and five siblings still live in Canada and he makes sure to go back home every winter break and each summer.

"[In Quebec] we're just students, we play the same sports and everything," Berthiaume said. "The weather is really nice here [in Texas] but at the same time I miss snow. It's really weird; I never thought I would miss it, but I miss the winter."

Berthiaume was recruited out of Seminole State College by Fuller Smith, assistant coach at UTA. After two years in Oklahoma, Berthiume decided to head to the Lone Star State. This is his first year at UTA.

"[Berthiaume] is a super kid, a competitor," Coach Smith said. "The type of kid you want in your program. He gets after it every single day. High energy guy, he had the things we look for in players here [at UTA] so he fit the mold for us right off the bat."

"It was a perfect fit for me," Berthiaume said. "It's a great school academic wise; it's a great place, good weather, good baseball, the chance to play on a good team."

"After talking to him, just realized how humble he was, and how he was happy for everything he had," Smith said. "He was thankful for everything he had, appreciates everything. You don't see that much very often in players. He works hard, is a great kid, and should be one of the guys we depend on this spring."

Berthiaume is recognizable at games as he pours water on his face and shakes his head back and forth before he goes on deck; he says it wakes him up.

Off the field and out of the gym, Berthiaume is a big reader. He's thorough about his school work because he wants to make sure he understands everything. But what he really enjoys is biographies - sometimes about athletes, sometimes about businessmen. Among his favorites: Mark Cuban and Eric Gagne, a former Cy Young Award winner that went to the same school as Berthiaume.

"I like the stories, the experiences and advice you get from them," Berthiaume said.

When he returns to Canada, he enjoys coaching 14-to-17-year-old players. He enjoys being around the kids and being a good role model.

Although Berthiaume isn't completely sure yet, there is a chance the current finance major may go for business law.

In his short time in Arlington, this big sports fan has already attended Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks games. However, one thing you won't catch him watching is a horror movie. He says he's scared of them and doesn't like them at all.