DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf wants to make sure everyone can play baseball if they want to, and this week they’re celebrating their 10th year of action.

The camp is Monday through Friday this week, with a special event happening Thursday where they’ll be attending the Iowa Cubs game. It is Deaf Culture Night at Principal Park. 

The players will be wearing ASL shirts, and the kids from this camp will be signing the national anthem.

The I-Cubs have been doing a dedicated night like this for 10 years, which is the same amount of time this camp has been around.

IBCD is for kids ages 7 to 14 who are deaf or hard of hearing. It’s at Johnston Little League Parks, and this year they have the most participates, 41 kids playing ball all week.

It’s a free camp where communication is never a problem. It was started by I-Cubs photographer, Dylan Heuer, who understands many of these kids come from rural Iowa areas or mainstream schools who don’t always have the opportunity to communicate with others like them.

“They struggle to communicate. They don’t have that language access and there are a lot of barriers, but they come here, there are no language barriers,” Heuer signed. “It’s full access and everyone can sign. So whether they speak or sign a little bit, they can meet each other and they can make those connections. They see someone that has the same languages then, like, oh you have a cochlear implant like me, and they make those connections that way. And that’s all done through the game of baseball. So it’s really a fun time to just play, have a good time and meet each other.”

“My favorite part is hitting the ball and catching, camper Lena signed. “I’m excited for the game tonight and I’m excited tomorrow we’re going to Principal Park. I love baseball camp.” 

“Last year I came here and when it was all done, I thought maybe next year I could do these baseball things again, camper Maya signed. “Yeah I can hit the ball really far.”

“This baseball camp is really good. I love it. I have so much fun. I see my friends and you do a lot of teamwork,” Angel, who is also a camper at IBCD, signed.

Smiles were contagious at camp. Everyone could communicate freely.

“They don’t have to struggle with that anymore. They can be more independent, more themselves and just more comfortable, you know, just doing their thing.  I see all the campers smiling. I see all their smiling faces. If they have a good hit, they get super excited. They’re just running to first base with excitement,” Heuer signed.

The camp is free for the kids thanks to sponsors and donors. 

Friday morning the campers will head back to Principal Park to tour the stadium and play on the field with some I-Cubs players.

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