Nancy Chapman
Darius Fruzza, a vibrant 13-year-old, loved baseball. He played travel ball and was on an all-star team each year, usually as catcher or third base, the same positions he played as a 13U Hornet. Darius began playing travel ball at age nine with the 10U Hornets, coached by the same staff that led him through this past season: Head Coach Justin Judd, Assistant Coach Josh McCallum, and Pitching Coach Andrew Craig. As Judd shared, "This kid has touched so many lives, and we are all better people to have had him with us as long as we did." Darius loved his baseball family, who were also his teammates.
In addition to the Hornets travel team, Darius played in the city league on several teams, including the Giants and the Braves. Each year, he made the Cal Ripken All-Star Team. The Hornets set their sights on playing in the Cal Ripken Youth All-Star Games in Hawaii in July 2024, a tournament hosted every other year. Because the age cutoff would have disqualified most of the team by 2024, they committed early in 2023 to the goal. They practiced often and played through summer, fall, and into winter. Their goal was to outperform other teams vying for the opportunity. Darius held an essential role on the field as catcher, the only position with a full view of all players and one that helps guide pitchers to success. He worked hard to defend home plate. Together with his teammates, Darius helped earn their place on the Hawaii tournament roster. While there, the players, coaches, and parents enjoyed time together in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
After playing in the Babe Ruth state tournament in late June 2025, Darius began experiencing flu-like symptoms. His family planned to take the Fourth of July weekend off, but Darius developed a severe headache. On July 6, his parents took him to the Banner Hospital due to worsening symptoms. He was transferred by Care Flight to Renown in Reno, where doctors found swelling in his brain resulting from a rare reaction to a virus. Neurologists were scheduled to evaluate him, but tragically, there was no brain activity. Darius passed away the evening of July 7.
Harry and Christina Fruzza chose to donate their son's organs, giving others the gift of life.
On Tuesday, July 8, Renown Hospital held an Honor Walk. This tradition allows family and friends to pay tribute to organ donors as they are escorted by staff through hospital corridors to the operating room. Darius was honored by a large group of family, friends, and teammates who recognized his life and legacy through organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Darius' Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, July 15, at 11 a.m. at the Gardens Funeral Home at 2949 Austin Hwy, Fallon, NV 89406. Lunch to be provided after service. Bring your baseball or camp chair.
For more information or to support the Fruzza family, visit https://gofund.me/dc247f
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