BOSTON -- In Boston Thursday, 360 people from all over the world were sworn in as American citizens.

NewsCenter 5's Liz Brunner reported that Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay was among those taking the oath.

The 30-year-old from British Columbia has been playing America's favorite pastime for a number of years, but just joined the Red Sox last season.

"It's huge. Obviously, it is something a lot of people dream of," Bay said.

Fellow teammate Dominican-born David Ortiz became a U.S. citizen last summer and was one of the guys who helped bay prepare for citizenship exam.

"I was studying in the clubhouse," he said.

Bay joined the children of those sworn in to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

"I wanted to make sure I did not mess it up in front of all those people. I wanted to make sure those kids didn't upstage me," Bay said.

Even though Bay said he is proud to call himself an American now, he will still have dual citizenship with his native Canada.