Donations sought for pro baseball player’s funeral in CT

Ryan Costello, 23, is remembered on the Auckland Tuatara baseball team’s Facebook page. Costello, a Connecticut native, was found dead in his Auckland hotel room days after joining the Auckland Tuatara in the Australian Baseball League. Costello played for Wethersfield, Conn. high school and Central Connecticut State. In 2017, he was drafted by the Mariners. He was dealt to the Twins in July 2018. less Ryan Costello, 23, is remembered on the Auckland Tuatara baseball team’s Facebook page. Costello, a Connecticut native, was found dead in his Auckland hotel room days after joining the Auckland Tuatara in the ... more Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Donations sought for pro baseball player’s funeral in CT 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

A fundraising campaign has been launched to help pay the funeral expenses of Ryan Costello, a Connecticut native and pro baseball player found dead in New Zealand on Monday.

Costello, 23, was found dead in his Auckland, New Zealand, hotel room days after joining the Auckland Tuatara in the Australian Baseball League.

The 23-year-old third baseman died in his sleep, apparently of natural causes, on Monday morning, team officials said.

Born in Hartford, Conn., on June 13, 1996, Costello was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 31st round of the 2017 MLB draft after playing at Central Connecticut State University. He was traded to the Twins in July, 2018.

The GoFundMe page was started by Minnesota Twins minor league outfielder Mark Contreras.

“Ryan Costello was a Brother to many and a family man,” Contreras wrote.

“Not only was he blessed with the abilities to play baseball at a high level but he was blessed with a smile and laugh that was contagious. He always meant well and always seeked ways to improve himself and the people around him. He will continue to love through us as his brothers and teammates. And we will never forget. Rest easy brother we all love you.

“With the donations we hope to help the family of Ryan through this hard time and hope it helps in anyway shape or form.”

As of Tuesday morning, $10,300 has been raised toward the $15,000 goal.

Meanwhile, arrangements are being made for his parents to come to New Zealand, the NZHerald reported.

The arrival of Costello's parents is delayed because they don't have passports. It is understood their permission is needed for an autopsy, because Costello was not a New Zealand citizen.

Auckland Tuatara Chairman Noel Davies said because it was an "unusual event" there would, under law, be an inquiry.

During a press conference Monday, Tuatara chief executive Regan Wood said Costello had appeared fine when last seen at Massey University campus, the team headquarters where most of the players live in their own rooms.

"First responders said it was natural causes, the police also said natural causes. That is fact," he said.

"Like everyone else you do wonder. They were out for dinner, three or four of them, they were in at 9.30. I saw him walking through the door with his water so we're at a loss just like everybody else."