Brooklyn community mourns loss of devoted youth baseball coach

Jose Castro, a longtime youth baseball coach in Brooklyn, died after a fire killed him and his mother in their apartment. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Parents, players, and fellow coaches gathered at the Bonnie Youth Clubhouse to mourn and remember Castro’s decades of mentorship. For more than 40 years, he coached youth baseball and influenced more than athletic performance. His work emphasized sportsmanship and fair play, and he helped young athletes with opportunities in high school and college. A memorial of candles, flowers, and baseball memorabilia honors both Castro and his mother, and the club plans a memorial next week.

"Police say Castro and his mother were killed after a fire tore through their Brooklyn apartment Saturday. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Over the weekend, grief poured into the Bonnie Youth Clubhouse, where parents, players and fellow coaches gathered to remember a man many described as the heart of the organization."

"For more than 40 years, Castro dedicated himself to coaching youth baseball in Brooklyn. Friends and families say his impact extended far beyond the diamond. "He's irreplaceable," parent Juan Mercado said. "You can't find somebody who's gonna give that much of himself to this game and to this community.""

"Jerry Katzke, athletic director of the Bonnie Youth Club, said Castro's influence reached far beyond developing baseball talent. "Over a period of years, he not only developed their baseball skills and their knowledge of the game, but their sense of sportsmanship and fair play," Katzke said. "He helped them in terms of high school and college.""

"Outside the apartment, a growing memorial of candles, flowers and baseball memorabilia now honors both Castro and his mother. The Bonnie Youth Club is planning a memorial for Castro next week."

Read at NBC New York