The Origin of Hand Signals in Baseball
If you've been to a Major League Baseball game, then you know what happens in the seventh inning.
Most any kid can tell you the words to one of the most famous songs ever sung.
Take Me Out To The Ballgame has a long history in American baseball.
So, too, do hand signals.
Interestingly, the man behind the introduction of hand signals in baseball would never have heard the famous song we all sing at each game.
The invention of baseball hand signals came out of necessity for a young man who loved the game.
His name was William Ellsworth Hoy.
He was born in 1862 and died at the ripe old age of 99.
He was nicknamed "Dummy" when he played ball for the Oshkosh Club of the Northwestern League because he couldn't speak.
Little did they know that this "dumb" boy from Ohio would change the game of baseball forever.
Having lost his hearing due to a childhood illness, William was sent away to a "residential school.
" The Ohio School for the Deaf was where he learned sign language.
It's also where he learned to love a simple game, played in the dirt in the back of the school.
When he began playing baseball, it was clear he was talented, but it was also clear that his hearing loss was an impairment on the field.
You see, at that time, the games were played with other schools that had hearing children.
The Umpires would shout out the calls.
Since he could not hear, William had to ask his coach if the umpire had shouted a strike or a ball.
While awaiting the answer, he was often quick-pitched a ball, causing him to be struck out before he was even ready to swing.
In order to keep his focus on the pitcher while at bat, he requested that his third base coach signal him of the umpire's call.
A right arm raised meant a strike and a left arm raised meant a ball.
Soon, he had his coaches use signals while he played outfield, too.
This quickly caught on with other players and Umpires found it to be extremely useful as well.
Hand signals are still used today and are considered a highly-guarded secret.
Most do not have any connection to American Sign Language, but hand signals are a long-standing testament to the ingenuity of a young boy who loved baseball.
More fun facts: 1) Gallaudet University in Washington D.
C.
, which caters to deaf and hard of hearing students, has dedicated a baseball field "Hoy Field" in his honor.
2) Mr.
Hoy played baseball from 1886 to 1903.
During his 17 year career on professional teams, he played in 1,784 games and had a.
292 batting average and 2,054 hits.
Some accounts state that he had just over 600 stolen bases, 82 of which were in his rookie year in the majors.
3) He played for the American League, the American Association, the Players' League and the National League.
4) In 1901 while playing for the Chicago White Sox in the American League, Mr.
Hoy hit the first-ever grand-slam home run in that league.
Most any kid can tell you the words to one of the most famous songs ever sung.
Take Me Out To The Ballgame has a long history in American baseball.
So, too, do hand signals.
Interestingly, the man behind the introduction of hand signals in baseball would never have heard the famous song we all sing at each game.
The invention of baseball hand signals came out of necessity for a young man who loved the game.
His name was William Ellsworth Hoy.
He was born in 1862 and died at the ripe old age of 99.
He was nicknamed "Dummy" when he played ball for the Oshkosh Club of the Northwestern League because he couldn't speak.
Little did they know that this "dumb" boy from Ohio would change the game of baseball forever.
Having lost his hearing due to a childhood illness, William was sent away to a "residential school.
" The Ohio School for the Deaf was where he learned sign language.
It's also where he learned to love a simple game, played in the dirt in the back of the school.
When he began playing baseball, it was clear he was talented, but it was also clear that his hearing loss was an impairment on the field.
You see, at that time, the games were played with other schools that had hearing children.
The Umpires would shout out the calls.
Since he could not hear, William had to ask his coach if the umpire had shouted a strike or a ball.
While awaiting the answer, he was often quick-pitched a ball, causing him to be struck out before he was even ready to swing.
In order to keep his focus on the pitcher while at bat, he requested that his third base coach signal him of the umpire's call.
A right arm raised meant a strike and a left arm raised meant a ball.
Soon, he had his coaches use signals while he played outfield, too.
This quickly caught on with other players and Umpires found it to be extremely useful as well.
Hand signals are still used today and are considered a highly-guarded secret.
Most do not have any connection to American Sign Language, but hand signals are a long-standing testament to the ingenuity of a young boy who loved baseball.
More fun facts: 1) Gallaudet University in Washington D.
C.
, which caters to deaf and hard of hearing students, has dedicated a baseball field "Hoy Field" in his honor.
2) Mr.
Hoy played baseball from 1886 to 1903.
During his 17 year career on professional teams, he played in 1,784 games and had a.
292 batting average and 2,054 hits.
Some accounts state that he had just over 600 stolen bases, 82 of which were in his rookie year in the majors.
3) He played for the American League, the American Association, the Players' League and the National League.
4) In 1901 while playing for the Chicago White Sox in the American League, Mr.
Hoy hit the first-ever grand-slam home run in that league.
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