Playing for Something Bigger…USA Deaf Baseball Team Visits Iowa
Compiled by Steve LaMontia-Carlentini, MSBL Director of Communications
Jonny Furman is a member of the Austin Metro Baseball League and was also appointed the head coach of the USA Deaf Baseball National Team in 2025. Below is an excerpt from that announcement:
USA Deaf Baseball Appoints Jonny Furman as New National Team Head Coach
May 27, 2025
By Kenny Long, National Team Director
USA Deaf Baseball is proud to announce the appointment of Jonny Furman as the new Head Coach of the USA Deaf Baseball National Team. With a distinguished background in baseball and a lifelong dedication to the Deaf community, Coach Furman brings a powerful combination of leadership, experience, and passion to the national program.
A native of Long Island, New York, Furman was a standout multi-sport athlete in mainstream schools, excelling in baseball, football, and wrestling. As the only Deaf student in many of these environments, he developed a deep sense of perseverance and resilience. Baseball quickly became more than a sport. It was a lifelong passion and a powerful means of identity and connection.
Jonny and his associates recently visited Iowa to assist in the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf. He was kind enough to send us a summary of the event. Please be sure to click on the television news story link near the end of the story.
Hello,
We wanted to share a recent experience that captures why USA Deaf Baseball is about much more than playing the game or representing our country in competition.
Our players recently participated in the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf, where they worked directly with young Deaf athletes through baseball instruction, mentorship, and a shared love for the sport.
The camp was founded by director Dylan Heuer 11 years ago with only 11 campers. This year, more than 40 young athletes participated, demonstrating both the strength of Dylan’s leadership and the growing need for programs like this within the Deaf community.
Throughout the weekend, we watched these young athletes interact with adult Deaf role models who understood their language, their experiences, and their passion for baseball.
They were not simply learning how to hit, throw, field, and run the bases. They were seeing Deaf adults coaching, leading, competing, communicating, and representing the United States.
The campers looked up to our players, but the impact went both ways. Our players left Iowa just as inspired by the children they mentored.
These children are the heart and soul of why USA Deaf Baseball exists.
We are currently preparing to represent the United States at the World Deaf Baseball Championship in Japan. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have raised approximately $94,000 toward our $150,000 goal.
We are grateful for that progress, but we still need to raise another $56,000 to help cover travel, lodging, tournament expenses, equipment, uniforms, and other costs associated with representing our country in Japan.
However, our mission extends far beyond one international tournament.
We want to continue partnering with youth programs, sending our players into communities as mentors and coaches, and helping create opportunities like the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf throughout the country.
Every contribution helps us pursue two connected goals: representing the United States in Japan today and inspiring the next generation of Deaf baseball players tomorrow.
Our hope is that young Deaf athletes will see our players, believe in what is possible for their own futures, and someday aspire to wear USA across their own chests.
We invite you to watch the local news coverage of this special weekend:
Watch the Local News Story: USA Deaf Baseball at the Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf
There are several ways your organization can support our mission:
- Make a financial contribution
• Explore a sponsorship or partnership opportunity
• Share our story within your network
• Connect us with businesses, foundations, or community leaders who believe in youth development, Deaf leadership, accessibility, and sports
To support USA Deaf Baseball, please visit:
https://givebutter.com/USADeafBaseball
For sponsorship opportunities, partnership ideas, or questions, please reply directly to this email.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our work. We are proud to represent the United States on the field, but we are even prouder of what our players can mean to the next generation.
This work cannot end in Iowa. With the right support, we believe it can reach Deaf children across the country.
Sincerely,
USA Deaf Baseball