His fingers were a blur as he excitedly described why he loved the game of baseball.

His father sat next to him taking in every word and agreeing with the answers.

Noah Wimberly, the 17-year- old son of Doug Wimberly and Bekhi Labbe of Church Point, is spending his summer playing American Legion baseball for the Opelousas General Health System Seminoles.

Noah and his father have a close relationship because of their shared love of baseball and a hearing impairment that the son was born with.

"The fact that Noah is hearing impaired has probably made us closer," Doug said. "But I would have gone to most of his games if he had been a hearing person.

"I saw how much he loved the game and I love baseball too," Doug said. "I will miss him not playing high school baseball next year."

Noah is a 2005 graduate of Opelousas High School and was a four-year player for the Tiger baseball team.

After finishing with a 3.41 GPA and in the top 25 percent of his class at OHS, Noah plans to study dentistry and will begin college this fall at UL.

Noah said he would love to try out for the Ragin' Cajun baseball team next year.

"Playing baseball has taught me dedication and discipline," he said. "I always try to develop and get better.

"Baseball taught me to be a better person and showed me the value of hard work," the former Tiger athlete said. "I love working hard, making a good play and being part of a team."

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By Tom Dodge
tdodge@dailyworld.com