High School Standout Skinner Dies

Joe Skinner, a standout athlete for Bishop Moore Catholic High (Orlando, Fla.) who was diagnosed with leukemia last December, died last Saturday. He was 17.

Skinner was an accomplished baseball player, known among the amateur scouting community for his polished lefthanded bat. He was committed to play for Central Florida, and had received some interest from professional scouts. He is survived by his parents, Scott and Judy, and a sister, Molly.

In December, Skinner was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He maintained a positive attitude, encouraging people around him with his relentless positivity and upbeat demeanor. He was in Dallas last week for an experimental treatment, but died of a non-cancer related infection, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

“Judy, Molly and I were fortunate to hold Joe and tell him how much we love him until his final breath,” Scott Skinner told the newpaper. “Although we are heartbroken, we know Joe is in heaven and will see him again one day.”

Skinner batted higher than .500 as a junior, and got one plate appearance this spring, entering a blowout game on Feb. 13, just a few days removed from a chemotherapy session. Skinner fell behind in the count 0-2, but battled back to 3-2. He smacked the ball the other way, grounding out to the left side of the infield.

“I think if he had his typical strength it would have been exactly where he usually put the ball, and that was over the third baseman’s head for a standing double,” said Tony Mehlich, the head coach at Bishop Moore. “He fought through at-bats just like he fought through his horrible disease.”

Mehlich first met Skinner when he played travel baseball with the Orlando Scorpions during his early teenage years. The Scorpions are one of the best travel programs in the nation, and Mehlich says that Skinner was always one of the best players on the field.

Skinner’s passing has been met with an outpouring of support from the Florida baseball community. While scouts will remember Skinner for his promise on the field, those who knew him well emphasize his extraordinary character and loving spirit.

Leading up to his senior year, Skinner played for Elite Squad, another powerhouse travel program. Elite Squad coach Alan Kunkel is grateful that he got to be around Skinner.

“Joe’s the epitome of everything that you want in a young man. I have three little girls. If I had a son, I’d want it to be Joe,” Kunkel said. “Polite, hard-working, committed, ambitious, driven. He lived life with a smile.”

Terry Rooney, the head coach at Central Florida, said that Skinner had a bright future ahead of him.

“You could just tell that he had an incredible future on the field,” Rooney said. “Not only by his athletic ability, but one of the things that struck you was his enthusiasm for the game and the way he played the game. It was awesome to watch.”

While Skinner wasn’t with the team at UCF yet, he was a part of the UCF community. A sports enthusiast, Skinner was passionate about UCF sports. He loved the program, and verbally committed to play for the Knights early in his high school career. On April 30, the day of Skinner’s passing, Rooney took to Twitter.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Skinner family. Joe will always be a Knight and a special part of our program. #skinnerstrong

— Terry Rooney (@HCTerryRooney) April 30, 2016

Throughout Skinner’s battle with cancer, teammates, coaches and friends have shown support using the hashtag #SkinnerStrong. The hashtag was used to encourage Skinner and build awareness for his battle. Skinner maintained his wide smile and positive attitude throughout the process.

On Jan. 16, Skinner tweeted a video of himself taking some swings in a batting cage.

I’m gonna be ready even if some people think there’s no way #Hornets pic.twitter.com/mkfiC537k1

— Joe Skinner (@JSkinner38) January 16, 2016

Skinner’s positivity—and passion—never faltered.

Following Skinner’s passing, Bishop Moore principal Scott Brogan shared a message on the school’s Facebook page:

“On behalf of Joe’s family, his teammates and close friends, the Class of 2016, and all those who have been touched by his courage and selfless spirit, I thank you for your prayers and your support as we grieve together. As a community sustained by God’s love, we celebrate the amazing presence Joe was and will remain in the lives of his Bishop Moore Catholic family. Joe has been and will always be an inspiration to us all.”

The Bishop Moore community rallied in support of Skinner on Tuesday, holding a ceremony in his honor prior to a playoff game against Lake Highland Prep. Skinner wore the No. 24 on his jersey, so teammates released 24 balloons into the air. Bishop Moore went on to win the game, advancing to the regional finals.

As Bishop Moore chases a state championship, the Hornets will have Skinner’s example to follow. His passion for the game of baseball and his relentless hard work and positivity will leave a permanent stamp on the game of baseball.