Deafness doesn't slow down S.C. sparkplug

Born deaf, Danton Hyman has worn hearing aids since he was 2 years old. But that hasn’t slowed down the Chapin/Newberry (S.C.) Post 193 outfielder/pitcher at all.

Hyman has been the sparkplug of a team that was 28-0 entering The American Legion World Series. He was named MVP of Southeast Regional, where he picked up a win on the mound and scored a team-high six runs.

But there are tangibles well beyond what Hyman does in the stat book, Newberry Coach Daniel Gregorgy said.

“The first thing that he does for us is he brings energy,” he said. “I’ve never seen a kid will his team to victory more than Danton. Danton refuses to let any team that he’s a part of go quietly into the night. If you’re on his team, you may not always win, but you’re always going to have a chance.

“At the plate he’s a tough out. In the outfield, if it flies it’s probably going to get caught. And on the mound, he’s a bulldog and he’s going to get you outs.”

Hyman hasn’t let his condition affect his game or break his spirit. “Hearing aids are a part of me,” he said. “I love them to death. Whenever people can’t go to sleep, I can because I can’t hear one thing.”

Because his hearing still isn’t 100 percent with the hearing aids, Hyman relies on his eyes more. He can read lips, and he’s constantly surveying the field around him.

“I really have to pay attention,” Hyman said. “You’ll see me this week: I have to pay attention the whole game. I really have to focus. I have to read the ball.”

Hyman, who will play baseball at Newberry College in South Carolina, said his 28-0 squad isn’t worrying about the zero in the loss column. “We take it one game at a time, and we really don’t think of being undefeated,” he said. “Being here at the World Series is awesome. But we hope to win five more games and win the whole thing.”