GAINESVILLE, Ga. — A Georgia high school and community are still heartbroken as they navigate life without the beloved Gainesville High baseball player who died following a batting cage accident last year.
In his honor, the high school is starting a scholarship to continue Jeremy Medina's legacy. In a statement from his high school, Medina was painted as a "vibrant spirit."
Jeremy was a senior who played pitcher and catcher on Gainesville High School's baseball team in 2022.
"Jeremy's passing, due to a batting cage accident, leaves a significant void in our hearts and halls," said a statement from the high school.
The school said that the scholarship would support a graduating Gainesville High School senior who "embodies Jeremy's qualities of hard work, character, athleticism and academic excellence."
According to his dad, Jeremy had plans of becoming a professional baseball player and a youth minister.
His father previously told 11Alive that Jeremy was a leader on and off the field.
"And every time I will tell him, 'You know that not everyone can be like playing sports, working and doing what you do and be able to keep up the grades. Do you know that?' (He says) 'Dad, I don't know, I'm just being me.'"
Jeremy was hit in the head with a bat after he accidentally leaned into the batting cage net during hitting drills at the team's indoor facility on Nov. 20. After a month spent fighting for his life, he was declared brain dead and later died.
His family decided to donate his organs after announcing his death.
To begin funding the memorial scholarship, the high school is holding a fundraising raffle hosted by the school's Dugout Club. School officials are inviting the public to the event, which will offer a grand prize of a Red Kawasaki Brute Force 300 ATV.
Organizers said each raffle ticket will cost $25, or those attending can buy tickets for $100 to increase their chances of winning.
The raffle will be held on April 15. To learn more about tickets, click here.