Ohio School for the Deaf History

08/18/2026

08/04/2026

Yesterday’s post made you think, didn’t it? Let’s dive into today’s post!

In 1870, Parley P. Pratt learned the game of baseball while attending the military school at the United States Barracks, Ohio State University, and Capital University - all located in Columbus, Ohio.

Pratt was a Deaf shoemaker at the Ohio School for the Deaf (OSD).
Remember the film “The Silent Natural?” One of the characters was based on him, but the movie missed a huge milestone. Here it is:

Pratt TAUGHT and INTRODUCED the game of baseball to his students at OSD, including future stars like Edward Dundon and William Hoy. OSD went on to become the fourth Deaf school to participate in organized baseball games (Lin Weber, 1959).

Pratt officiated his first baseball game as an umpire in 1871. Around the same time, another Deaf umpire, Walter Stanley Lott, was also active, making them among the earliest known Deaf umpires (Fisher & Fisher, 2008).

By summer 1879, Pratt began managing Deaf players on the Independents team. He referred to them as the “Rattling Willow Wielders.” (In cricket, players use willow wood bats—just like in baseball, though without gloves or mitts!) Pratt also served as an umpire in some of their games against rival teams.

The Deaf players along with Pratt photographed from the summer 1879 team included (not in order):
• Edward Dundon
• Collins Sawhill
• Henry Bardes
• Paul Hines
• Harvey Stottler
• Isaac Sawhill
• Joseph Leib
• John Hahn
• Joseph Hinnelspaugh
• John Ryn
• John Hunter (likely a CODA)

Being the fourth Deaf school to form a baseball team suggests that hand signals were already evolving - shaped by sign language and adapted over time to improve gameplay against rival teams.

07/10/2026

On this Day in History: The First Deaf Pro Baseball Player. Ed "Dummy" Dundon, who was born on July 10, 1859, went on to become the first deaf player to play baseball professionally.

05/27/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/27/2026

You can follow this page Ohio School for the Deaf for recognizing seniors and other exciting news being shared to the community and OSD alumni too!

✨SENIOR SPOTLIGHT✨
Arriana York, Class of 2026
From Greenville, OH
Joined OSD in 2014
Participated in soccer, basketball, track, SBG, RAD, Jr. NAD, Drama Club/School Plays, the Culinary program, and pickleball
Plans: Attend NTID in Rochester, NY
Favorite Memory: Winning 1st place in the Culinary Bowl!
Advice: Be true to yourself.

05/21/2026

05/21/2026

History of William “Dummy” Hoy being placed at the Ohio School for the Deaf