Blind fan visits Great American Ball Park on 30-city tour

CINCINNATI - Visiting 30 ballparks in 30 days is a dream for any baseball fan. Thursday, a Texas man making that journey stopped in Cincinnati on day 26 of his 30-day baseball tour.

“It’s a crazy journey, but I’m loving it,” said Reggie Deal, as he talked to Reds starter Mat Latos before the Reds played Atlanta.

Deal has a special feel for the facets of the game that are sometimes overlooked by the average fan.

“The sounds of the game, the crack of the bat, the ball hitting the catcher’s mitt,” Deal said.

Deal loves baseball, but he’s never seen a pitch. He has been blind since birth and decided to go on this journey after surviving a recent battle with cancer.

“I knew when you've got a chance to do something in front of you and you don't take it there is no guarantee that you'll have the next year or 25 years in front of you. Take your chance while you have it," Deal said.

Deal navigates each city on his own for the most part. He says the public is always very helpful when he’s in an unfamiliar city.

Deal has just four games left in his 30-city tour. He’ll be in Pittsburgh Friday before heading to Miami on Saturday and then on to Chicago for games Sunday and Monday.