April 12, 2005 > National Deaf Baseball/Softball Tournament

by Bridgetta Bourne-Firl

Out of reverence to the first deaf baseball player in the major leagues, the California School for the Deaf will host the Dummy Hoy Classic Baseball/Softball Tournament April 14 to16. Teams scheduled to participate are from Model Secondary School for the Deaf, Washington DC; California School for the Deaf, Riverside; Maryland School for the Deaf, Maryland; and California School for the Deaf, Fremont. All of the events will be held on campus, 39350 Gallaudet Drive in Fremont.

The tournament name was derived from William Ellsworth "Dummy" Hoy (1862-1961) who was the first deaf player in the major leagues and he played a total of 1,798 games. He had a respectable batting average and assists. Most importantly, Hoy was the reason the universal baseball hand signals were created and they are still used today. The hand signals for "out" and "safe" are from American Sign Language.

Guest Baseball Pitcher, Oakland A's former pitcher, Mark Acre will appear at the Opening Ceremony and pitch for the Home Run Derby. He played for the Oakland A's from '94 to '97. Proponent of admitting the first deaf player into the Hall of Fame, Steven R. Sandy of Ohio will also be at the first event. He will share his collection of Hoy photos and other memorabilia.

Schedule for the Hoy Tournament:

Thursday, April 14
7:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony
7:15 p.m. Home Run Derby

Friday, April 15
9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 16
9:00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Awards Presentation to follow

Ticket Prices: $10 for adults, $5 for students, and free for children age six and under.
Combo ticket: $15 for adults, $8 for students, family rate is $35.

For further information:
www.csdf.k12.ca.us
Athletic Director Mark Burke at mburke@csdf-cde.ca.gov
(510) 794-3766 Voice/TTY