Students Performed Anthem at Phillies Clinch Game

The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf performed in ASL as the Philadelphia Phillies clinched a wild-card playoff berth.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Baseball

Students Performed Anthem at Phillies Clinch Game

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Should professional sports teams increase accessibility features like ASL for deaf fans at games?

Students from the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf performed the national anthem in American Sign Language at Citizens Bank Park during Deaf Awareness Month. The performance occurred as the Philadelphia Phillies secured a 7-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Why it matters

The school aims to increase public exposure to deaf capabilities to break down barriers to opportunity for the community. The event highlights the status of American Sign Language as the third-most commonly used language in the United States.

The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf was founded in 1820 and ranks as the third-oldest school for the deaf in the United States. During the game, 100 students participated in the anthem performance alongside a middle school choir.

The players

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are a professional Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia that competes in the National League East division.

Pennsylvania School for the Deaf

The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf is an educational institution established in 1820 that provides services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays are a professional Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida, that competes in the American League East division.

The details

Students practiced their anthem routine in the stadium tunnel before joining the choir on the field to perform for the crowd. This celebration coincided with a successful game where the Phillies secured a wild-card playoff berth.

The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf was founded in 1820.
Deaf Awareness Month celebrations took place throughout September 2026.
The Phillies defeated the Rays 7-3 on September 27, 2026.
The postseason series against the Atlanta Braves begins on September 29, 2026.

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Season Trajectory

This performance highlights the community's efforts to increase visibility as the Phillies transition from a successful regular season to postseason play. The team now shifts its focus to a critical wild-card playoff series against the Atlanta Braves starting on Tuesday.

The 7-3 victory solidified the team's wild-card playoff status, effectively finalizing the seeding for the upcoming postseason. Fans and stakeholders can now prepare for the playoff series opener against Atlanta on September 29, 2026.

The takeaway

The performance provided a platform to showcase deaf capabilities in a high-visibility venue during Deaf Awareness Month. Supporters can continue to advocate for increased inclusion by pushing for the consistent use of ASL interpretation at major public events.