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http://www.boston.com/news/local/co...sign_language_to_communicate_with_deaf_player
Baseball players at Fermi High School have found a new way to boost team spirit.
To communicate better with Douglas Giaccone, the Enfield school's only deaf student who joined the baseball team this past spring, the team's practice has included one hour each week learning sign language.
"All the players rallied around a cause -- and that was to be a better teammate," head coach Mark Dube said. "And that meant learning a new language."
Team members say they played with Giaccone for years, but had trouble connecting with their fellow student because of communications barriers.
Baseball players typically use sign language to signal their intentions to teammates, but what Enfield's players are now learning moves beyond the common head pats and finger taps. But by their own admission, they say they are still not the best signers.
"I really look forward to the day I can really have a conversation with Doug," teammate Chris Rago said.
The efforts by his friends have meant a lot to the 15-year-old Giaccone, who has run a sign language club since he was in the seventh grade.
"I really appreciate that everyone has been so willing to learn sign language and to communicate with me," he said through his interpreter, Sheila Pollins. "It feels like for the first time people are really interested in learning, and that makes me feel good."
Dube said the experience has more closely bound the varsity players with the junior varsity team.
"It was the closest team I've had as a high school coach," said Dube, who has coached varsity baseball at Fermi for five years. "And I know this experience is what caused that."
Reading lips is one advantage Giaccone has because of the hearing impairment he has had since birth. It's a particularly good skill when closely watching the opposing coach.
The high school's baseball season and sign language club have ended for the year, but the two activities will continue in the fall, Dube said.
"It was an easy choice to meet Doug halfway," he said. "We can talk any time we want to, but we have to learn so we can extend Doug that same right. Meeting people halfway is what you do. It's what everybody should be willing to do."
Baseball players at Fermi High School have found a new way to boost team spirit.
To communicate better with Douglas Giaccone, the Enfield school's only deaf student who joined the baseball team this past spring, the team's practice has included one hour each week learning sign language.
"All the players rallied around a cause -- and that was to be a better teammate," head coach Mark Dube said. "And that meant learning a new language."
Team members say they played with Giaccone for years, but had trouble connecting with their fellow student because of communications barriers.
Baseball players typically use sign language to signal their intentions to teammates, but what Enfield's players are now learning moves beyond the common head pats and finger taps. But by their own admission, they say they are still not the best signers.
"I really look forward to the day I can really have a conversation with Doug," teammate Chris Rago said.
The efforts by his friends have meant a lot to the 15-year-old Giaccone, who has run a sign language club since he was in the seventh grade.
"I really appreciate that everyone has been so willing to learn sign language and to communicate with me," he said through his interpreter, Sheila Pollins. "It feels like for the first time people are really interested in learning, and that makes me feel good."
Dube said the experience has more closely bound the varsity players with the junior varsity team.
"It was the closest team I've had as a high school coach," said Dube, who has coached varsity baseball at Fermi for five years. "And I know this experience is what caused that."
Reading lips is one advantage Giaccone has because of the hearing impairment he has had since birth. It's a particularly good skill when closely watching the opposing coach.
The high school's baseball season and sign language club have ended for the year, but the two activities will continue in the fall, Dube said.
"It was an easy choice to meet Doug halfway," he said. "We can talk any time we want to, but we have to learn so we can extend Doug that same right. Meeting people halfway is what you do. It's what everybody should be willing to do."