Buffalo Niagara Film Festival - Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY, USA

Signs of the Time

Synopsis 
- Where did baseball hand signals come from? In exploring this seemingly simple question, the feature-length documentary, Signs of the Time, unveils stories of inspiration and controversy that transcend sports. Narrated by Richard Dreyfuss, the film unravels the mystery surrounding baseball’s greatest innovation. Imagine a baseball game without umpire signals. That was the reality of baseball’s earliest games. Now imagine playing that game without being able to hear. That was the reality of William “Dummy” Hoy, the most celebrated deaf player in the history of major-league baseball. With lavish recreations, the film shows Hoy introducing sign language to the game. For many, this was the beginning of baseball signs, but for Hoy it was his way to overcome the challenges of his era. Hoy’s story resonates with deaf players today, like Doug Giaccone, a high school outfielder who teaches his team sign language to break the communication barriers that isolate him. Umpire Bill Klem’s authoritative style and ability to control a game is still taught in contemporary umpire academies. Unlike Hoy, Bill Klem was boastful about his claim of inventing baseball signs and his bronze head adorns the Baseball Hall of Fame. The controversy of Hoy’s lack of recognition and the debate over who invented baseball signs is explored through interviews with the legends of the game. Signs of the Time is sure to delight baseball fans of all ages. But more than that, the film explores our need to interact with those around us, even in the face of adversity.

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Exact Runtime
01 hr : 00 min : 00 sec

Date of Completion
January 2009

Country of Production
U S A

Country of Filming
U S A