As an assistant coach several years ago at an Augusta middle school, Coach Bond Crosby suggested his second baseman slide over to third.
“I’d never played third, but he said, ‘Just try it,’” Knox Marchman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Friday.
Marchman, then a seventh grader, moved over to third base. And he stayed there. This fall, he’ll start his freshman year at East Georgia State College, where he’ll be on a baseball scholarship.
When Marchman heard about Crosby's death following a heart attack, he realized how much he owed to his former coach, who taught him again when he played on a high school travel team.
“If it wasn’t for him, I’m not sure what would’ve happened,” Marchman said.
Early Thursday, Crosby, 28, died about a week after collapsing while playing softball, according to his family.
Crosby, a Valdosta native, suffered a massive heart attack and underwent emergency quadruple bypass surgery at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital, his family posted on a Caring Bridge site. He underwent additional procedures and remained in critical condition until late Wednesday, when his family said his condition worsened.
“Bond fought very hard. The doctors, nurses, and staff worked tirelessly,” the Crosby family posted online. “However, late this evening Bond’s condition took a turn for the worse. The family had time to say their goodbyes and Bond passed away peacefully at 1:00 am.”
School doesn’t start until Aug. 5 at the Norcross high school, but news of the young coach’s death spread quickly through the community. Meadowcreek High Principal Tommy Welch alerted fellow teachers Thursday morning, and by the afternoon, students, friends and former players had posted notes of remembrance to Crosby on Twitter and Facebook.
“He truly was a great guy,” one person commented on Facebook, where ajc.com posted a story on Crosby’s death. “Nothing but great things to say regarding his commitment to students.”
In addition to coaching baseball, Crosby taught political science and also coached football and basketball at the school.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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