SlushyBOB
05-05-2003, 01:50 PM
cool story:)
http://www.pe.com/sports/pro/stories/PE_SP_nketch05.ef31.html
The language of baseball
With the help of 66ers teammate, deaf pitcher is succeeding
05/05/2003
By SHERRY MOMBOURQUETTE
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
SAN BERNARDINO - Left-handed pitcher Ryan Ketchner has traveled the same geographical and career path as many of his teammates in the Seattle Mariners' farm system.
Yet, for Ketchner, who was born partially deaf, it has been a different journey. Ketchner, believed to be the only deaf pitcher in professional baseball, wears hearing aids to retain 40 percent of his hearing.
Unlike in his other minor league stops, Ketchner, now with the San Bernardino-based Inland Empire 66ers of the California League, is fortunate to have found a teammate who understands his language.
66ers outfielder Greg Jacobs understands Ketchner better than anyone. Jacobs learned sign language at a young age in order to communicate with his brother, deaf since the age of 2.
William Wilson Lewis III
The Press-Enterprise
Inland Empire 66ers reliever Ryan Ketchner, 21, is believed to be the first deaf pitcher ever in the California League. Ketchner wears hearing aids to retain 40 percent of his hearing.
Ketchner has also found a comfort zone with several of his 66ers teammates who played with him the last two seasons in Wisconsin and Everett.
With the support of his team, Ketchner continues to prove his heart and his talent outweigh any absence of sound.
"It's been no problem so far," Ketchner said through Jacobs. "The only real problem I have occurs on bunt defense, and being able to hear whether the first or third (baseman) is going to make the play. I can sometimes hear the people yell (in the stands), but it doesn't bother me."
He said he can read lips if the coaches talk slow, "but when we have a group meeting, it's hard for me to understand."
Already, Ketchner has spoken volumes with his statistics. Last year in Class A Wisconsin Ketchner recorded 12 saves, struck out 118 batters and held Midwest League hitters to a .190 average. He was chosen the Timber Rattlers' pitcher of the year.
He has an 83- to 88-mph fastball, and his change-up is said to be his best pitch. According to Baseball America, he is the Mariners' 30th-best prospect.
In eight appearances with the 66ers, Ketchner, 21, ranks eighth among the California League pitching leaders with a 3-0 record and a 3.38 ERA in 21 innings. He is tied for third with 33 strikeouts.
"I have a lot of goals this season," Ketchner said. "I want to go on to Double-A and eventually to the major leagues."
Manager Steve Roadcap said it is not his first experience with a deaf player. Roadcap was a coach for a 1994 Arizona Fall League team that included outfielder Curtis Pride. Pride, who spent seven seasons with the Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox, is 95 percent deaf.
"Curtis was a special individual, as is Ryan," Roadcap said. "We can interview him (Ketchner), and we can talk about him, but we'll never know what he's actually going through.
"He's a super kid. He must have had a great upbringing."
Roadcap said he doesn't have to repeat much to Ketchner.
"He picks up rather quickly," he said. "He's definitely intelligent and totally understands the game. And he's a pretty good pitcher."
The parent club also has faith in Ketchner and stands behind its decision to draft him.
"Early on there were some problems communicating with Ryan, but we were able to work through them," said Benny Looper, the Mariners' Director of Player Development. "At the time we drafted Ryan, we didn't feel (his hearing impairment) would be a detriment to his career. I've seen Ryan pitch several times. He's moved up a level each year, and he's right on track. We're confident he can make it to the majors."
Looper said the organization has another deaf player, Luis Figueroa, a third baseman at Class AAA Tacoma.
"He can hear more than Ryan can, but he's considered legally deaf," Looper said. "There are very few players that are hearing impaired."
Growing up near West Palm Beach, Fla., Ketchner began playing baseball at age 6. The only member of his family who is deaf, Ketchner, using Pride as an example, proved he could join mainstream society by playing in T-ball, Little League and then for John I. Leonard High in Lake Worth, Fla.
When a coach noticed his strong throwing arm, Ketchner began pitching at 13.
Ketchner, who has already made a visit to California School for the Deaf, Riverside, hopes to be an inspiration to others.
On being the only deaf pitcher in pro baseball, he said, "It makes me feel good. I feel that when other deaf people see me, I can be a role model to them."
http://www.pe.com/sports/pro/stories/PE_SP_nketch05.ef31.html
The language of baseball
With the help of 66ers teammate, deaf pitcher is succeeding
05/05/2003
By SHERRY MOMBOURQUETTE
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE
SAN BERNARDINO - Left-handed pitcher Ryan Ketchner has traveled the same geographical and career path as many of his teammates in the Seattle Mariners' farm system.
Yet, for Ketchner, who was born partially deaf, it has been a different journey. Ketchner, believed to be the only deaf pitcher in professional baseball, wears hearing aids to retain 40 percent of his hearing.
Unlike in his other minor league stops, Ketchner, now with the San Bernardino-based Inland Empire 66ers of the California League, is fortunate to have found a teammate who understands his language.
66ers outfielder Greg Jacobs understands Ketchner better than anyone. Jacobs learned sign language at a young age in order to communicate with his brother, deaf since the age of 2.
William Wilson Lewis III
The Press-Enterprise
Inland Empire 66ers reliever Ryan Ketchner, 21, is believed to be the first deaf pitcher ever in the California League. Ketchner wears hearing aids to retain 40 percent of his hearing.
Ketchner has also found a comfort zone with several of his 66ers teammates who played with him the last two seasons in Wisconsin and Everett.
With the support of his team, Ketchner continues to prove his heart and his talent outweigh any absence of sound.
"It's been no problem so far," Ketchner said through Jacobs. "The only real problem I have occurs on bunt defense, and being able to hear whether the first or third (baseman) is going to make the play. I can sometimes hear the people yell (in the stands), but it doesn't bother me."
He said he can read lips if the coaches talk slow, "but when we have a group meeting, it's hard for me to understand."
Already, Ketchner has spoken volumes with his statistics. Last year in Class A Wisconsin Ketchner recorded 12 saves, struck out 118 batters and held Midwest League hitters to a .190 average. He was chosen the Timber Rattlers' pitcher of the year.
He has an 83- to 88-mph fastball, and his change-up is said to be his best pitch. According to Baseball America, he is the Mariners' 30th-best prospect.
In eight appearances with the 66ers, Ketchner, 21, ranks eighth among the California League pitching leaders with a 3-0 record and a 3.38 ERA in 21 innings. He is tied for third with 33 strikeouts.
"I have a lot of goals this season," Ketchner said. "I want to go on to Double-A and eventually to the major leagues."
Manager Steve Roadcap said it is not his first experience with a deaf player. Roadcap was a coach for a 1994 Arizona Fall League team that included outfielder Curtis Pride. Pride, who spent seven seasons with the Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox, is 95 percent deaf.
"Curtis was a special individual, as is Ryan," Roadcap said. "We can interview him (Ketchner), and we can talk about him, but we'll never know what he's actually going through.
"He's a super kid. He must have had a great upbringing."
Roadcap said he doesn't have to repeat much to Ketchner.
"He picks up rather quickly," he said. "He's definitely intelligent and totally understands the game. And he's a pretty good pitcher."
The parent club also has faith in Ketchner and stands behind its decision to draft him.
"Early on there were some problems communicating with Ryan, but we were able to work through them," said Benny Looper, the Mariners' Director of Player Development. "At the time we drafted Ryan, we didn't feel (his hearing impairment) would be a detriment to his career. I've seen Ryan pitch several times. He's moved up a level each year, and he's right on track. We're confident he can make it to the majors."
Looper said the organization has another deaf player, Luis Figueroa, a third baseman at Class AAA Tacoma.
"He can hear more than Ryan can, but he's considered legally deaf," Looper said. "There are very few players that are hearing impaired."
Growing up near West Palm Beach, Fla., Ketchner began playing baseball at age 6. The only member of his family who is deaf, Ketchner, using Pride as an example, proved he could join mainstream society by playing in T-ball, Little League and then for John I. Leonard High in Lake Worth, Fla.
When a coach noticed his strong throwing arm, Ketchner began pitching at 13.
Ketchner, who has already made a visit to California School for the Deaf, Riverside, hopes to be an inspiration to others.
On being the only deaf pitcher in pro baseball, he said, "It makes me feel good. I feel that when other deaf people see me, I can be a role model to them."