Utica, N.Y. — SUNY Poly's Maddox Garvey has been named to the Team USA Deaf Baseball roster, earning the opportunity to represent the United States at the 2026 World Deaf Baseball Championship in Japan. The selection places Maddox among the nation's top deaf and hard-of-hearing baseball athletes and marks one of the most prestigious honors in international deaf sports.
Team USA Deaf Baseball serves as the national team for deaf and hard-of-hearing baseball players across the country. The program prepares athletes for elite global competitions—most notably the upcoming 2026 World Deaf Baseball Championship—while promoting the sport and advancing visibility for the Deaf community. Using American Sign Language and visual communication on the field, Team USA demonstrates that hearing loss is no barrier to excellence.
For Maddox, the opportunity is both profoundly personal and deeply meaningful.
"Being selected to represent Team USA Deaf Baseball is honestly one of the biggest honors of my life," Garvey said. "It's something I've dreamed about since I first picked up a baseball. To wear 'USA' across my chest means I'm not just playing for myself—I'm playing for my family, my teammates, my coaches, and the entire deaf baseball community."
Maddox credits SUNY Poly and its coaching staff for preparing him to take on the elevated competition of the international stage.
"Playing at SUNY Poly has pushed me to grow in every part of my game," he said. "The coaching staff holds us to a high standard mentally and physically. They challenge me every day, and because of that, I've become a smarter player, a tougher competitor, and a better teammate. The speed, intensity, and discipline we play with have prepared me to compete with confidence against the best in the world."
SUNY Poly Head Baseball Coach Paul Ludden expressed tremendous pride in Maddox's journey and selection to Team USA.
"It has made me incredibly proud to watch Maddox be selected for Team USA Deaf Baseball," coach Ludden said. "Maddox is a true story of resiliency, hard work, and determination. His work ethic is second to none, and he has truly transformed himself as a player by his commitment to getting 1% better every day. To have someone from our program represent our country on an international level fills me with pride."
Coach Ludden added that the experience will be transformative for Maddox, both personally and athletically:
"This will be tremendous for Maddox—he'll have the chance to experience different cultures, make new connections, and see firsthand the impact baseball has around the world."
He also reflected on what Maddox's achievement represents for SUNY Poly Baseball.
"Maddox's achievements show the work we put in every day to position ourselves for success on and off the field," he said. "There's no doubt he'll be prepared to make an impact on Team USA and help lead his country back to the gold medal game. I hope his journey inspires both current and future athletes at SUNY Poly, proving that with a growth mindset, anything is possible."
The World Deaf Baseball Championship, scheduled for November 2026 in Japan, will bring together elite deaf and hard-of-hearing players from around the globe. As part of Team USA, Maddox will compete at the highest level of international deaf baseball, representing not only SUNY Poly, but also the Deaf community, his teammates, and the United States.
