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'In their own language': Clinic gives deaf children opportunity to play ball - SalemNews.com, Salem, MA
Like many other 12-year-old boys, Conrad Beltz has always wanted to play Little League baseball. But because he is deaf, his dream seemed unlikely — until now.
On Saturday, the Boxford Athletic Association and the Beverly School for the Deaf hosted the second of four instructional clinics designed to teach children who are deaf or partially deaf the game of baseball. All the fundamentals from how to hit the ball, catch the ball and run the bases were taught with American Sign Language through translators and demonstrations.
The dozen or so players came to Strike One in Danvers from all over the North Shore and central Massachusetts.
"Programs like this are important because they teach deaf children in their own language," said Conrad's mother, Linda Burgoon, who traveled from Natick for him to be involved. "Conrad has never played baseball before, and he has always wanted to. This is our second time here, and he loves it."
He is learning quickly. During a scrimmage at the end of the clinic, he proudly played first base like he's been playing for years.
The program was started by Mark Balding of the Boxford Athletic Association this year after he was inspired by Elvis Calcano, 12, of Lawrence, who is deaf and started playing Little League despite his disability. Members of the Boxford Athletic Association helped raise money for Elvis to go to St. Louis to attend one of the only baseball camps for deaf children in the nation. This clinic is modeled on that camp with the goal to bring the same experience for deaf children locally.
"We hope to start a program that will help deaf children be mainstreamed into the Little League and not isolate them," Balding said. "Once they learn the game and the coaches know how to teach them, they're fine."
Balding also hopes the program will grow into a resource to help coaches, parents and town programs learn how to work with deaf or partially deaf children who want to play baseball.
"It is important to make sure these children get the same opportunity," said Lis Drake of the Beverly School of the Deaf, who is a translator. "Communication is the largest barrier, and many town leagues don't have the resources to address it. But this program is designed to help build a bridge over this communication barrier so these kids can just be kids."
Baseball can't be taught in just four sessions, so the parents of the participants are encouraged to practice with their children.
Nathaniel Nunez, 10, of Gloucester has tried to play sports before, but there has always been a communication problem, said Peter Nunez, his father.
"I find this really great for Nathaniel," Nunez said. "You don't have events like this often. Deaf children tend to be ignored unless families come together and start something."
There are many other challenges when teaching a deaf child to play.
"They've all seen the game on TV or at a park, but they have never played before; they don't know the rules," Balding said. "We have to be very explicit to make sure they know exactly what to do."
These challenges are something Balding, Drake and many volunteers are willing take on.
"There is something sad about a kid who can't play baseball," said Gerry D'Ambrosio, one of the volunteers from Boxford. "A lot of the town programs are ill-equipped."
Like many other 12-year-old boys, Conrad Beltz has always wanted to play Little League baseball. But because he is deaf, his dream seemed unlikely — until now.
On Saturday, the Boxford Athletic Association and the Beverly School for the Deaf hosted the second of four instructional clinics designed to teach children who are deaf or partially deaf the game of baseball. All the fundamentals from how to hit the ball, catch the ball and run the bases were taught with American Sign Language through translators and demonstrations.
The dozen or so players came to Strike One in Danvers from all over the North Shore and central Massachusetts.
"Programs like this are important because they teach deaf children in their own language," said Conrad's mother, Linda Burgoon, who traveled from Natick for him to be involved. "Conrad has never played baseball before, and he has always wanted to. This is our second time here, and he loves it."
He is learning quickly. During a scrimmage at the end of the clinic, he proudly played first base like he's been playing for years.
The program was started by Mark Balding of the Boxford Athletic Association this year after he was inspired by Elvis Calcano, 12, of Lawrence, who is deaf and started playing Little League despite his disability. Members of the Boxford Athletic Association helped raise money for Elvis to go to St. Louis to attend one of the only baseball camps for deaf children in the nation. This clinic is modeled on that camp with the goal to bring the same experience for deaf children locally.
"We hope to start a program that will help deaf children be mainstreamed into the Little League and not isolate them," Balding said. "Once they learn the game and the coaches know how to teach them, they're fine."
Balding also hopes the program will grow into a resource to help coaches, parents and town programs learn how to work with deaf or partially deaf children who want to play baseball.
"It is important to make sure these children get the same opportunity," said Lis Drake of the Beverly School of the Deaf, who is a translator. "Communication is the largest barrier, and many town leagues don't have the resources to address it. But this program is designed to help build a bridge over this communication barrier so these kids can just be kids."
Baseball can't be taught in just four sessions, so the parents of the participants are encouraged to practice with their children.
Nathaniel Nunez, 10, of Gloucester has tried to play sports before, but there has always been a communication problem, said Peter Nunez, his father.
"I find this really great for Nathaniel," Nunez said. "You don't have events like this often. Deaf children tend to be ignored unless families come together and start something."
There are many other challenges when teaching a deaf child to play.
"They've all seen the game on TV or at a park, but they have never played before; they don't know the rules," Balding said. "We have to be very explicit to make sure they know exactly what to do."
These challenges are something Balding, Drake and many volunteers are willing take on.
"There is something sad about a kid who can't play baseball," said Gerry D'Ambrosio, one of the volunteers from Boxford. "A lot of the town programs are ill-equipped."