The 17-year-old daughter of the Toronto Blue Jays' first base coach died in an "abnormal accident" during a day of tubing with family and friends on the James River, Virginia.
Mark Budzinski's daughter, Julia Budzinski, was tubing behind a James River boat with her sister on Saturday when two girls went from tube to water. It fell, the Virginia Department of Wildlife said.
After the pair fell into the water, a family friend who was operating the boat turned around to take the girl. However, a wave rose from under her ship and her ship rose above Julia, causing the propeller to hit her underwater.
Page Pearson, a spokesman for the Virginia Wildlife Service, said boat operators immediately jumped into the water and attempted to save Julia.
Despite her quick reaction, Julia was declared dead on Saturday, July 2nd. Pearson told ABC News that both girls wore life jackets and did not include alcohol or fraudulent play.
"It was just an unusual accident," Pearson said.
Julia's mother Monica and her sister Lily were on a boat with Julia all day long. "The last day of the planet was, sadly, obviously, very happy and enjoyable to the end," her mother said at a school rally on Sunday night.WTVR { According to 16}.
"She was happy, had a good time and laughed. That's the way I remember her. That's the way everyone needs to remember her. She just lives. I loved her. She loved being outside, sports, everything. ", According to WTVR, Budzinski continued.
Julia's father, Mark Budzinski, was in Toronto during the accident and was the first base coach for the Blue Jays during the match. According to CTV Toronto, when Badzinski suddenly left the dugout, the team was playing a second doubleheader game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Manager Charlie Montoyo repeatedly left the clubhouse dug out during the match, and bench coach John Schneider was the manager during a series of short absences, CTV Toronto reported. According to CTV Toronto, the Blue Jays have closed the clubhouse from reporters and announced that post-match media will not be available as coaching staff support Badzinski on "personal issues."
On Sunday, the Blue Jaysissued a statementacknowledging Badzinski and his family.
"Budinsky has been part of the Blue Jays family for the past four seasons. This catastrophic loss has been felt throughout our organization and we are saddened with Bud and his family." Said the Operations and General Manager of the Ross Atkins Blue Jays, Executive Vice President of Baseball, in a statement.
"I've known Bad for over 25 years and at first I've always admired his commitment as a dad and her husband," Atkins added.
Tampa Bay Rays players and staff wait for a moment of silence about Julia's death Buzinski, the eldest daughter of Mark Badzinski, prior to the match against the Tampa Bay Rays at the Rogers Center on July 3, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.
Cole Burston / Getty Images
Budzinski said According to him, he took a leave of absence to commemorate the Blue Jays with his family.
The stadium held a silent prayer for Julia before the Blue Jays match began on Sunday.
"Yesterday, the Blue Jays tragically lost a member of the family, Julia Budinsky,"the announcer said before the match.
"This catastrophic loss is felt by our entire organization and we are sad with Bad and his family," the announcer added.