Spreading Awareness Through Baseball
For one dedicated baseball fan, there’s a bittersweet journey underway, rooted in profound loss. Jonathan St. Clair is embarking on a mission to visit all 30 MLB stadiums in memory of his son, Jasper, who tragically drowned at just 21 months old.
This heartbreaking incident occurred twelve years ago. Jasper was briefly left alone by a trusted babysitter at a home with a gated pool. Despite efforts to save him for a week, the young boy succumbed to the tragedy. Looking back, St. Clair expressed regret, saying, “He hadn’t learned how to swim yet. Why didn’t we recognize the dangers of water sooner?”
As he travels, St. Clair hopes to raise awareness about water safety. He noted, “Since this happened, we’ve met many families who share similar experiences. This campaign is about those stories.” With support from local organizations in all 30 cities, he aims to highlight the importance of drowning prevention.
During this journey, St. Clair wears a life jacket and an MLB cap decorated with logos from all teams. While some might stare, he welcomes the curiosity it generates. “It’s a great conversation starter,” he commented. He emphasizes that he identifies with every team, focusing more on his cause than specific loyalties.
Before starting this trip, he had already visited around ten stadiums and always dreamed of visiting all ballparks, though never thought he’d do it in just 30 days. This mission comes after a troubling rise in drownings across the nation, prompting his idea of combining his love for baseball with a cause he’s passionate about.
As St. Clair progresses through the trip, he’s faced with challenges like uncertain travel conditions. Yet, he remains hopeful, believing that his campaign can lead to substantial awareness about water safety issues.
Despite the short turnaround between flights and the fatigue that comes with travel, he feels supported by a community rallying behind his mission. “I’m not alone in this,” he remarked, thankful for the help he receives at each stop, transforming what could be mere travel into meaningful experiences.
