The Glen Allen High School community gathered at the school Sunday evening to mourn the loss of Julia Budzinski.
The 17-year-old student died in a local boating accident on Saturday, according to the family.
Details of the crash were unclear Sunday evening.
Glen Allen manager Reginald Davenport acknowledged the community assembly on Sunday afternoon via Twitter, hours after a moment of silence for Budzinski was observed before the Tampa Bay Major League Baseball game in Toronto. .
Budzinski was the daughter of Mark Budzinski, a former University of Richmond baseball star who is in his fourth season as first baseman coach of the Toronto Blue Jays.
“It is with heavy hearts to announce that the GAHS family is dealing with the (loss) of a student’s life – Julia Budzinski,” Davenport tweeted.
He then referred to Sunday’s 7:30 p.m. celebration in memory of Budzinski, a rising senior at Glen Allen who was an academically strong student and multi-sport athlete.
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Budzinski played college soccer and college volleyball for the Jaguars, and she had also played junior college basketball and with the Richmond Kickers’ travel soccer program.
She served as Vice President of the Glen Allen National Honor Society and has volunteered with organizations that help people with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities.
Budzinski has also been involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
The Toronto Blue Jays said Mark Budzinski will be absent from the team to be with his wife, Monica, and children Josh and Lily.
Blue Jays and Rays players and their teams on the field lined the foul lines before the first pitch of their Sunday afternoon meeting in Toronto and joined fans in attendance for a moment of silence.
“The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family for the past four seasons. This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we mourn alongside Bud and his family,” Ross Atkins, executive vice president of baseball operations and Toronto general manager, said in a statement released by the Blue Jays.
“I have known Bud for over 25 years and have always admired his commitment as a father and husband above all else. He is loved and respected by our entire clubhouse and holds a special place in all of our hearts.
Prior to joining the Toronto organization, Budzinski spent five years in the Cleveland system. He was successful in the minors for that organization and was on Cleveland’s major league coaching staff for one season.
Budzinski, a Baltimore native, played in the outfield for the Spiders and was drafted by Cleveland in the 21st round in 1995. He played professionally for 10 years, including several Triple-A seasons. Budzinski reached the big leagues with the Cincinnati Reds in 2003.
Monica Budzinski is also a graduate of the University of Richmond.
Funeral arrangements were undetermined on Sunday evening.
