Overcoming all Odds: Brother Eric Long Returns to Diamond, Represents Team USA in 2024 Deaf Baseball World Cup

On February 24, Eric Long, an American Sign Language Teacher Major from Plainfield, Indiana, and an active brother of the Alpha Pi Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity at Troy University, made headlines. To clarify, Long represented and played for Team USA as the team's left fielder in their seven group games in the National Deaf Baseball League (NDBL).

In USA's first game of the tournament against Korea, Long was excellent. Overall, Long knocked an RBI single in his first at-bat, secured one walk and two steals in his other two plate appearances, and accounted for four of USA's 19 runs in their 19-7 win over Korea. With that, however, USA suffered their first loss of the tournament in game two, 5-6 to Taiwan. Regardless, Long continued his stout play, securing two hits, two RBIs, and one walk in three plate appearances.

After a poor 0-2 outing at the plate in USA's 6-11 loss to Japan on Sunday, Long and the Americans rebounded in their fourth game of the tournament. Against Mexico, Long batted 1-1, including an RBI double and one walk to lead USA to a 13-1 win on Sunday. In USA's four group games, Long went four-of-eight at the plate with four RBIs, four walks, two steals, and eight runs, helping USA finish 2-2 in group play.

In USA’s round-robin playoff stint, Long finished 1-4 at the plate with an RBI single, two steals, and one run to end the tournament.

For those who don't know, the NDBL is just one of 29 different sports that the Deaf Sports Federation hosts tournaments for countries around the nation. Through all 29 sports, the Deaf Sports Federation regulates the rules of competition for affiliated organizations, facilitates the participation of all teams in international deaf competitions, and promotes human rights and equity through sports.

In the deaf sports provided, all needs are met and all participants have full access to communication. These adaptations include the use of a light flashing system instead of starting guns or buzzers, and having officials employ hand signals and flags instead of whistles. In over 70 years of existence, the Deaf Sports Federation has produced national champions, international record-breakers and Deaflympic medalists, all in the everlasting pursuit of excellence.

Growing up, Long was a true three-sport athlete, excelling in Football, Basketball, and Baseball as a teenager. Ultimately, Long chose to pursue Baseball, and quickly became one of the top players on the diamond in Maryland, being named to the All-Maryland First Team in 2016 and 2017.

In the 2018 season, however, Long began to showcase his immense talent as an infielder for the Maryland School of the Deaf. On March 19, Maryland hosted Massanutten Military Academy for opening day of the 2018 season in Frederick, Maryland. Collectively, the Orioles dominated the Colonels to the tune of a stout 22-5 win, in large part to the play of Long. In five plate appearances, Long knocked two hits, three RBIs, and three runs scored, while adding two walks and one stolen base.

In Maryland's next game against Springdale Prep on April 14th, Long posted another notable performance in his first start for the Orioles. For reference, Long hit two singles, scored one run, and stole two bases, while securing a season-high two put-outs in the Orioles' 5-18 loss to the Lions.

Led by Long's strong play in the batter's box and the field, and the coaching of manager Chester Kuschmider, Maryland finished the season as the National Deaf Interscholastic Athletic Association's (NDIAA) Baseball Team of the Year, winning the Freelance Division with a 4-3 record. For the season, Long batted 0.667 with four hits, four RBIs, four runs, one walk, and three steals, and posted a 0.750 fielding mark in the infield.

Following the 2018-2019 season at Maryland, Long committed to Troy University on a Baseball scholarship for the upcoming 2019-2020 season as a utility player. With that said, Long suffered a major elbow injury and needed Tommy John surgery to heal and was recommended to not play for Troy to aid in his recovery.

In over 70 years of existence, the Deaf Sports Federation has produced national champions, international record-breakers and Deaflympic medalists, all in the everlasting pursuit of excellence. This weekend, it provided Long the opportunity to continue to chase his dreams and represent his country.