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How did Mark Budzinski's daughter Julia die? Blue Jays mourn death of 17-yr-old

17-year-old Julia Budzinski, the eldest daughter of Toronto Blue Jays' first-base coach Mark Budzinski, 48, lost her life over the weekend

The teen daughter of a renowned Major League Baseball coach reportedly died in a tubing accident on Saturday, July 2.

17-year-old Julia Budzinski, the eldest daughter of Toronto Blue Jays' first-base coach Mark Budzinski, 48, was killed over the weekend after she fell from her tube into the James River in Virginia. Prior to the first pitch on Sunday, July 3, the Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays paid tribute to the teenager, lining up along the foul lines for a moment of silence in her memory.

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How did Mark Budzinski's daughter die?

While officials are yet to publicly identify the victim, reports suggest that 17-year-old Julia died on Saturday after falling off an inflatable tube in the James River. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources said the teenager was hit by the propeller when the boat turned around to rescue her.

"The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family over the last four seasons," the team's general manager Ross Atkins said on Sunday. "This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve alongside Bud and his family. I have known Bud for more than 25 years and have always admired his commitment as a dad and husband first. He is loved and well-respected by our entire clubhouse and holds a special place in all our hearts."

"Everyone in our clubhouse is thinking of Bud, his wife, and their children," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "This tragedy reminds us what's important in life. As a father and husband myself, my heart breaks for Bud and his family. They are in our thoughts and our prayers." He added, "Thank you for your understanding. Think of Bud and his family." Meanwhile, Rays manager Kevin Cash said his team was "heartbroken."

Mark Budzinski played four games for Cincinnati in 2003 before retiring in 2005. He subsequently managed in Cleveland's minor league system and later joined the Indians' big league staff in 2017, before Toronto hired him in November 2018. The Blue Jays said in a statement addressing the tragedy that Budzinski will be away from the team to be with his family.

Tigers manager A J Hinch, who was a colleague of Budzinski during his minor league career, offered his condolences before Detroit hosted Kansas City on Sunday. Red Sox manager Alex Cora also expressed support from Chicago, where his team was facing the Cubs.

Julia Budzinski reportedly played varsity soccer and varsity volleyball for the Jaguars. She also played junior varsity basketball and had a brief stint with the Richmond Kickers travel soccer program. The well-rounded teenager was vice president of the Glen Allen National Honor Society and was known to volunteer with organizations that helped those with developmental, intellectual, or physical disabilities. She was also involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Reginald Davenport, principal of Julia's alma mater Glen Allen High School, acknowledged the community assembly on Sunday afternoon on Twitter, just hours after the tribute before the Tampa Bay-at-Toronto Major League Baseball game. "It’s with a heavy heart to announce that the GAHS family is dealing with the (loss) of life of a student — Julia Budzinski,” Davenport tweeted, before referring to Sunday’s 7:30 pm observance in memory of the multi-sport athlete.