After the Myrtle Beach Pelicans were the first ever to do so in 2018, the Rochester Red Wings will also pay attention to deaf culture with a special day on which they wear jerseys with their team name “written” in sign language. Also special caps will be worn.
The Red Wings will team up with the Rochester Institute of Technology’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and the Rochester School for the Deaf for the promotion. Students, faculty, and staff at RIT/NTID and RSD and their families can get $2 off tickets by using a special promo code that will be supplied them.
Red Wings GM Dan Mason stated: “We are proud to partner with NTID and Rochester School for the Deaf for Deaf Culture Day so we can celebrate the deaf community and the important impact deaf citizens have had in Rochester. We look forward to hosting many deaf members of the Rochester community and their families while also educating all fans about deaf culture.”
“Throughout history, baseball and the deaf community have been intertwined,” said NTID President Gerry Buckley. “And Rochester, which is known as ‘Sign City,’ is home to a historic deaf community. Furthermore, deaf and hard-of-hearing fans have been among the most loyal Red Wings followers. RIT/NTID is proud of its own history of deaf baseball players and is proud to partner with the Rochester Red Wings.”
The Wings will wear specialty jerseys and caps to celebrate the day. The jerseys will feature “Red Wings” in American Sign Language across the chest, while the cap will have the ASL “R” on the front with the Spikes logo on the side. The jerseys will be auctioned off using the LiveSource mobile app, with proceeds benefitting both NTID and RSD.
Interpreters will be stationed everywhere in the ballpark including in the seating bowl, at concession stands, and at the ticket offices to assist deaf individuals. Portions of the game will be captioned on the video board for the first time ever courtesy of NTID.
Part of the day will be a silent inning where there will be no PA announcements or music of any kind. Deaf individuals who have made a significant impact in society throughout the game will be highlighted.
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