The community of Linglestown, Pennsylvania, was struck by tragedy when 10-year-old Bryson Funk, a shining baseball star, passed away just a day after standing on the pitcher’s mound and delivering his final pitch in a game that won his Dauphin team the championship.
Bryson pitched the final three innings of the game for the Linglestown Colts, ending the game with a strikeout that brought his team the championship title on June 11.
Sadly, the day after, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to his family, Bryson had been diagnosed with myocarditis — an inflammation of the heart — which led to his suffering cardiac arrest.
His family, friends, and teammates have been left heartbroken.
Bryson’s best friend, Elias Vilfort, 9, recalled in an interview with CBS 21, “He would literally do a backflip to make a play or slide in the muddy dirt, acting like it was nothing. That’s the kind of player he was.
“He was very funny. He was always in the game… I’m still shocked that this happened.”
Elias’ mother, Amanda Vilfort, posted a heartwarming photo of the two friends with the caption, “Elias suddenly lost his best friend yesterday. We are heartbroken and devastated…I pray for comfort for all who are grieving the loss of Bryson. He will be missed beyond belief.”
Bryson’s grieving father Todd commented on the photo of his late son and his friend, writing, “I’ve lost my only son, my throwing buddy. If Elias ever wants to come down, he’s always welcome to come down throw the baseball around and talk about Bryson.”
“It would help us all [heal],” he added in a separate message.
The Linglestown Baseball Association paid tribute to Bryson on Facebook, remembering him an exceptional player, a loyal teammate, and a true friend.
“Bryson wasn’t just an incredible athlete – he was a teammate, a friend, and a joy to coach. His hustle and his heart will be remembered by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” the tribute read.
A friend of the family, Nicki Brantner, set up a GoFundMe to help the grieving family.
“Bryson passed away [June 12]. Something no one could have ever imagined happening to such a vibrant, active guy. He had an amazing championship win [June 11]. Pitching the last three innings and struck out the last batter for the win! Bryson was quite the athlete,” Brantner shared on the fundraiser that by June 23 donations had surpassed $47,500, putting them just short of the $50,000 goal. “His parents are now facing what no parent should ever endure.”
According to CBS 21, Bryson was born with coarctation of the aorta and a deformed bicuspid aortic valve, but his family said doctors don’t believe it had anything to do with his death.
According to the Mayo Clinic, myocarditis is mostly caused by viral infections, though exposure to medications, environmental toxins, or autoimmune disease may also contribute.
Symptoms frequently include chest discomfort, dyspnea, fatigue, and arrhythmias. In some patients, the condition is subclinical, complicating timely diagnosis. Although supportive care and pharmacologic treatment lead to recovery in many cases, fulminant myocarditis can deteriorate rapidly under hemodynamic stress.
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