Wednesday, July 16

We’re in the midst of National Be Nice to New Jersey Week, which runs from July 6-12. I'll do my part by encouraging you to check out magnificent Garden State baseball entities such as the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, Somerset Patriots and, in the Draft League, Trenton Thunder. Welcome to the Baseball Traveler newsletter. Let's talk about Minor League Baseball.

Oh say can you sign?

Dozens of local deaf youth performed the National Anthem in sign language prior to the Iowa Cubs game on June 26 at Des Moines' Principal Park, a highlight of the Triple-A team's annual Deaf Culture Night. The players wore jerseys that spelled out "Iowa" in American Sign Language, and those same Anthem signers -- participants in the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf -- threw out ceremonial first pitches and participated in between-inning promotions throughout the evening. 

June 26 was a rainy night, but the enthusiasm of the campers was undampened. The following day they returned to the ballpark for a tour and to play on the field, interacting with players along the way.

As the Iowa Cubs' team photographer, Dylan Heuer was, as usual, in the center of it all. On this night, however, Heuer's role exceeded that of on-field documentarian. Deaf Culture Night, and the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf that it benefits, are his creations. 

Born and raised in Des Moines, Heuer lost his hearing after contracting spinal meningitis when he was seven months old. Growing up deaf could often result in feelings of isolation, but baseball provided a refuge.

"When I was little, I used to go to a baseball camp. I met a lot of friends and people through the Iowa Cubs through this camp," said Heuer, in an in-person ballpark interview translated via FaceTime by interpreter Amanda Gallant. "And when I got older, I was able to get a job here [at Principal Park] as a bat boy."

Heuer transitioned from bat boy to a press box role when he was 16, staying with the Cubs until he enrolled at the Rochester Institute of Technology. During his college years he spent two years as a photographer for the Rochester Red Wings; upon graduation he returned to Des Moines and, in short order, became the I-Cubs team photographer.

Heuer soon discovered, however, that the baseball camp he had attended in his youth no longer existed. This, in his estimation, was a void that absolutely needed to be filled.

"There are so many deaf kids in so many different areas that don't have the opportunity to socialize with each other, especially during the summertime," he said. "So I decided to set up a baseball camp again, just to give the deaf and hard of hearing children an equal opportunity to play baseball and meet other deaf and hard of hearing children across the state."

Heuer established the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf in 2015, a one-week camp for kids ages 7-14 highlighted by the time they spend at Principal Park. The camp is free to attend thanks to the support of donors and sponsors; one way that the organization raises funds is through the auction of the ASL theme jerseys worn by the I-Cubs.

"[The jerseys] were my lifelong dream and last year it came true," said Heuer. "The best thing is that I was able to design the logo that they used. … ASL is our language, valued as a big part of deaf culture. The team was willing to wear 'Iowa' in ASL, and it just shows that we are proud and we are here."

In 2025, 41 kids participated in the camp, the most ever. "What a celebration it was!" wrote Heuer in a follow-up email.

"Despite battling off-and-on rain all week, we held camp every single day at Johnston Little League," he continued. "Let's just say the fields had more puddles than bases at times. The infields turned into mud pits, shoes squished with every step, and there were some unexpected 'lakes' at the fields. But the kids loved every second of it. Seeing their smiles as they played through the wet grass made every soggy shoe worth it.

"Most of these kids are often left out of organized sports and other activities in life because of communication and language barriers as well as a lack of accessibility. At IBCD and ASL Night with the Iowa Cubs, they didn't have to struggle to communicate. Everyone signs. Everybody understands how to communicate. Everyone belongs. It's a space where they’re not just the 'deaf kids.' They're just themselves. And it's quite the freeing experience for them."

It's not very often that I find myself with some space to fill in this newsletter. Please enjoy the following items, selected solely because they interest me, presented in random order and free of charge.

The Sky Sox return!
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox, as you may recall, played in the Pacific Coast League from 1988-2018. I was in attendance for the penultimate and final games in franchise history, after which the franchise relocated to San Antonio. The Rocky Mountain Vibes, a Pioneer League team, then took the Sky Sox’s place in Colorado Springs.

The Sky Sox have now returned, kind of. Due to longstanding facility issues, the Pioneer League's Northern Colorado Owlz have relocated to Colorado Springs and assumed the old Sky Sox mantle. They will share a ballpark -- the same ballpark that the PCL Sky Sox once played in -- with the Vibes.

Over the Hill? No, he's on it!
The first player I ever interviewed for a standalone feature story was pitcher Rich Hill; the occasion was him winning the 2005 MiLBY Award for "Breakthrough Performer." (I wish I could find that article, which seems to have disappeared from the internet). I imagine that back in 2005 Rich and I would have been shocked to learn that we'd both still be doing our respective jobs 20 years later.

And yet here we are, one Hill pitching and the other writing about it. Rich, 45, signed with the Royals in May and has since made seven starts with Triple-A Omaha.

Here's a fun trivia question for you: Rich Hill is the oldest player to appear in the Minor Leagues since….who? Answer in a moment.

Greensboro, shades of Grey
Four Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A PIT) pitchers combined to throw a perfect game on July 4. This was the first nine-inning perfect game in Minor League Baseball (outside of the Rookie-level complex leagues) since September 1, 2017, when Connor Grey of the Kane County Cougars threw a 100-pitch gem against the Clinton LumberKings.

Grey last pitched in affiliated baseball as a member of the 2022 Syracuse Mets and is currently suiting up in the independent Atlantic League as a member of the Gastonia Ghost Peppers. He is also a "phantom ballplayer," having once spent five days on the New York Mets' roster without appearing in a game. A tip of the cap to you, Connor Grey.

Guess who's back?
Outfielder Tyler Naquin was drafted by Cleveland in 2012 and, later that season, played for the Lake County Captains during the Midwest League playoffs. After an eight-year MLB career, Naquin has converted to a pitcher and, 13 years later, is once again a member of the Captains. 

From the dark side of the moon
Oklahoma City's Triple-A club changed its name to the Comets prior to the 2025 season, and with that change has come an expanding mascot roster. On its social media posts, the team described their newest addition, Space Squatch, as a "shy and illusive creative." Pretty sure that’s a typo but I like the description nonetheless.

Finally, the answer to a question
Rich Hill is the oldest player in the Minor Leagues since Jamie Moyer, who made five starts at the age of 49 in 2012. The first three came as a member of the Norfolk Tides, following his release from the Colorado Rockies. The last two were with the Las Vegas 51s. Jamie's professional career had started 28 years prior, as a member of the 1984 Geneva Cubs.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate you. Get in touch anytime. 

Contact Benjamin Hill

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