Rochester Red Wings to honor the Deaf community with special ASL jerseys
Minor League jersey promos are all the rage. Normally, they are hilarious, over-the-top homages to silly pop culture nostalgia -- from Spongebob to Star Wars, and Home freaking Improvement of all things.
But this year, the Rochester Red Wings have put together a promotion that's just a little more important than that: On April 28, they'll mark Deaf Culture Day with jerseys and caps that spell out the team's name in American Sign Language.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Wings team up with @RITNTID and @RSDeaf to celebrate Deaf Culture on April 28!! #ROCDeafCulture #SignWithWings
— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) March 5, 2019
Details: https://t.co/F1PM803J3u pic.twitter.com/Uwockew4R7
Rochester has one of the largest Deaf populations with businesses throughout the city offering Deaf-friendly services, so the team's tribute is fitting. To mark the day, the game will feature a silent inning with no announcements or music made and sign language interpreters will be stationed throughout the park. They will also bring back former team superhero and NTID graduate, Ogden Whitehead, who will reprise his role as "Recycleman."
.@RITNTID hosted @RocRedWings today to announce Deaf Culture Day with @RSDeaf on April 28 at Frontier Field! We're proud to be a part of the event and continue to celebrate the deaf community in #ROC. Learn more: https://t.co/TCvvaK5WPQ #ROCDeafCulture #RIT pic.twitter.com/kpv3tMWxlE
— RIT (@RITtigers) March 5, 2019
It's an exciting idea and one worth emulating around the sport.
"THE BASEBALL WANTS TO CATCH A TRAIN!!"
— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) March 5, 2019
Our Deaf Culture Day on April 28 will feature the return of @RITNTID alum and Frontier Field icon Wasteman/Recycleman! #ROCDeafCulture
Details: https://t.co/F1PM803J3u pic.twitter.com/U6Gobfjt1S
We had an assembly at @RSDeaf today. Needless to say, they are PUMPED about #ROCDeafCulture Day!
— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) March 7, 2019
“GO WINGS!” pic.twitter.com/ezb2iRlwgQ
Michael Clair writes for MLB.com. He spends a lot of time thinking about walk-up music and believes stirrup socks are an integral part of every formal outfit.
