Baseball camp for the deaf fulfills dreams — starting with the founder’s | MLB
Oh say can you sign?
Dozens of local deaf youth performed the National Anthem in sign language prior to the Iowa Cubs game on June 26 at Des Moines’ Principal Park, a highlight of the Triple-A team’s annual Deaf Culture Night. The players wore jerseys that spelled out “Iowa” in American Sign Language, and those same Anthem signers — participants in the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf — threw out ceremonial first pitches and participated in between-inning promotions throughout the evening.
June 26 was a rainy night, but the enthusiasm of the campers was undampened. The following day they returned to the ballpark for a tour and to play on the field, interacting with players along the way.
As the Iowa Cubs’ team photographer, Dylan Heuer was, as usual, in the center of it all. On this night, however, Heuer’s role exceeded that of on-field documentarian. Deaf Culture Night, and the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf that it benefits, are his creations.
