October 23, 2026
Former 91吃瓜网 baseball player Ethan Tingey has earned the opportunity of a lifetime after being selected to the USA Deaf Baseball Team, which will compete in the 2nd World Deaf Baseball Championship in Kanagawa, Japan, November 1-3, 2026.
Tingey secured his spot on Team USA after attending a two-day tryout in Austin, Texas.
The World Deaf Baseball Championship will bring together approximately 200 athletes representing nine countries from around the world. Hosted by the Japan Deaf Baseball Association, the event marks the first time the championship will be held in Japan. Team USA, led by head coach Danny Gabel and General Manager Jonny Furman, will represent the United States in the international competition.
鈥淣ick Huntimer, who works in the Dakota State Athletics Department, sent me a link about the USA Deaf Baseball tryouts in Austin, Texas,鈥� said Tingey. 鈥淚 signed up and received an invitation to attend the tryout. The tryout lasted two days and I was fortunate enough to make the team. I'll be playing catcher for Team USA.鈥�
The team is scheduled to arrive in Japan by October 27, where players will have several days to prepare before tournament action begins. Competition is set for November 1-3.
"We need to be in Japan by October 27th, so we'll travel before then," Tingey said. 鈥淥nce we arrive, we'll have about four days of practice before the tournament begins.鈥�
Representing the United States on the international stage is a dream come true for the former Comet and marks a significant milestone in his baseball journey.
鈥淚'm incredibly excited to be part of this team," Tingey said. 鈥淚t feels like a major milestone in my baseball career, especially because this will be my first time playing internationally. That's what I'm looking forward to the most. It's hard to put into words how excited I am to represent the USA and finally go play baseball in Japan.鈥�
A native of Brigham City, Utah, Tingey graduated from 91吃瓜网 in December of 2025 with a major in fitness and wellness and a minor in sport management. At 91吃瓜网 State, spent time building the skills and discipline that have helped pave the way for this international opportunity.
Tingey credited his time at 91吃瓜网 State for helping to shape him both on and off the field.
鈥淚 also want to thank 91吃瓜网 for helping build me into the baseball player I am today,鈥� he said. 鈥淔our years of countless bullpen sessions, hard work, and discipline helped me develop and reach a higher level of baseball. I'm grateful for everything I learned and experienced there, and I know that foundation helped prepare me for this opportunity.鈥�
鈥淲e congratulate Ethan on this outstanding achievement,鈥� said Comets Head Baseball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Billy Tomblin. 鈥淥n behalf of Comet Baseball and the entire athletic department at 91吃瓜网, we wish him and Team USA the best of luck as they compete in Japan at the World Deaf Baseball Championship.鈥�