A Year of Playing Catch:
A Father’s Journey

Jonathan Catch is a simple idea with a profound purpose. We first reported on it back in September 2022. Since then, it’s grown in unexpected and wonderful ways.

For Don Kirk, it's more than just playing catch, it's a way to keep his son's memory alive. After losing his son at 35 years old, Don found a new purpose in life: playing catch with different people every day to honor his son's memory. For Kirk, playing catch has become more than just a game; it's a way to connect with his late son, Jonathan, who passed away in 2017. Don's project to play catch every day since last August has grown in momentum, with more and more people reaching out to join him in this activity. According to Don, he feels like all the pieces are falling into place, allowing him to take the project where it needs to go.

Don embarked on this quest to honor his son and to learn his own lessons almost a year ago. The sessions last about 10-30 minutes (sometimes longer), and if someone doesn’t have a glove, they can use Jonathan’s. After the catch, Don asks for an autographed ball as a memento, a way of recording those who have helped him along his way.

Playing catch has helped Don with his grieving process, as it's an active way for him to feel closer to his son. He's touched by the people who have reached out to play catch with him, including Jonathan's friends and people from his past. Recently, The Community Foundation of the Greater Capital Region organized a 50-person catch for Don at the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute, a community service non-profit in Albany, New York, which was a huge success. The project and message have grown in ways Don could have never anticipated. 

But that's not all; Don has been practicing to throw out the first pitch at Joe Bruno Stadium, kicking off the game for the Valley Cats on Friday, August 11th. During the game, photos of Jonathan will appear on the outfield screen, and the public will have an opportunity to play catch on the field after the game. Don's arm is feeling pretty good after playing catch with at least 125 individual people over the last nine months, and he's looking forward to being on the mound. And his ball collection has grown to 18 baseballs covered with the signature of everyone who has thrown a ball with him.

Don says the grassroots momentum of his project is "taking me where I need to go." His daily catch has not only helped him with his grieving process but has also allowed others to share in his journey. It's a touching tribute to Jonathan and a way for Don to keep his memory alive.

Don’s son, Jonathan, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a medical condition that affects the heart muscle, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. This condition can lead to various complications, such as heart failure, arrhythmias, blood clots, and sudden cardiac death. Cardiomyopathy can be inherited or acquired, and it can affect people of any age, race, or gender. It is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt medical attention. Despite efforts to manage the condition with medication and lifestyle changes, Jonathan passed away unexpectedly in 2017. This heartbreaking loss highlights the importance of understanding the causes and treatment options for cardiomyopathy.

According to Dr. Lance Sullenberger of Capital Cardiology, "Cardiomyopathy has multiple possible causes, from prior heart attacks to viral illnesses to inherited diseases, and affects patients of all age groups." The prognosis for cardiomyopathy varies based on the severity of the condition, but there are treatment options available for most patients.

For some patients, medications and lifestyle changes may be sufficient to manage the condition. However, others may require more aggressive treatments such as surgery or heart transplantation. The goal of treatment is to improve heart function and prevent complications such as heart failure and sudden cardiac death.

It is important to note that cardiomyopathy can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the condition, which may include fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, and irregular heartbeat. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away.

Don Kirk’s collection of signed baseballs from everyone he has played Jonathan Catch with.

In an effort to deal with the loss of his son, Don needed an outlet, a positive, proactive way to deal with a devastating loss. The inspiration for Don's catch project came from the book A Year of Playing Catch, where the author played catch every day for a year to discover the lessons of play, finding connections, and being present in the human experience. Jonathan Catch allows Don to empathize with others who've lost someone close, and create new memories while spreading the memory of his son. "A Year of Playing Catch: What a Simple Daily Experiment Taught Me About Life" is a book by Ethan D. Bryan that chronicles his personal journey of playing catch every day for a year. In this heartwarming memoir, Bryan shares the lessons he learned through this simple yet meaningful experiment. As a lifelong baseball fan, Bryan's love for the sport shines through as he explores the sacredness of play and its ability to connect people from all walks of life. Through his daily catch sessions, Bryan forms new friendships, learns to appreciate the beauty of everyday moments, and gains a newfound appreciation for the simple act of play. The book is not only a celebration of baseball but also a tribute to the power of connection, community, and the joy that can be found in the simplest of activities. It seemed like the perfect vehicle for Don to remain close to his son’s memory while telling all who would listen what a special person he was. 

Ethan D. Bryan's book "A Year of Playing Catch: What a Simple Daily Experiment Taught Me About Life" has been an unexpected hit, inspiring people from all walks of life, like Don, to take up playing catch for their own reasons. In a recent interview with John Bulmer, Capital Cardiology’s Public Information Officer, Bryan shared his thoughts on the impact his book has had, the lessons he's learned, and the growing movement he's sparked.

When asked about the profound impact his book has had on readers, Bryan said he never expected it. "It never crossed my mind that other people would want to attempt their own catch-playing year," he said. "And then, not just a year of playing catch, but taking a very simple idea and elevating it, allowing play to do what play can do – bringing healing, increasing empathy and compassion, strengthening relationships and alleviating depression and replacing it with hope.

CCA’s Dr. Lance Sullenberger plays catch with Don Kirk

Bryan's book has inspired many people, including Don, who adapted the idea of playing catch to cope with trauma or grief. Bryan said he is grateful for the impact his book has had and is amazed by the momentum it has gained.

Bryan also shared what he has learned from the people who have followed his lead and used play for deeper understanding and well-being. "What I've learned is this: playing catch is a great way to make a meaningful connection with someone else," he said. "Playing catch gets us away from our screens and outside where we can give our entire attention to our catch partners and hear their stories. When we give people our entire attention, we develop trust and empathy, and compassion. These traits seem to be in short supply in our culture.

Bryan has been delighted to see others taking up the challenge of playing catch for a year, with at least five people attempting their own catch-playing year. "For those who've reached out to me, I've said the same thing – keep in touch so I can cheer you on!" he said. "By keeping in touch with other catch-playing friends, I get to share in their joys and discoveries."

Bryan shared the stories of some of the people who have been inspired by his book, including Jason Henkel from Oregon, who played catch even after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer. Adam Hazel of California used playing catch to strengthen relationships with his kids. Last year, three guys played catch for a year, with Kevin Negaard of Iowa raising almost $370,000 for his local Miracle League. John Scukanec is still going past a year, making friends all over the Pacific Northwest. And Dan Bryan did it in honor and memory of his son, Ethan, who was killed in an automotive accident on the way home from baseball practice.

Bryan is excited about the growing movement of catch-playing enthusiasts and hopes to see the Catch 365 Club grow. "I think it'd be amazing to have a few thousand members!" he said. With Bryan's book inspiring people all over the world to reconnect with others through the simple act of playing catch, it seems likely that the Catch 365 Club will continue to grow in size and impact. And Don Kirk is one of the biggest proponents of the daily catch as a way to gain a deeper understanding. 

Since we last shared Don's story (https://capitalcardiology.com/catch/) in the late summer of 2022, he's continued to play catch daily, raising awareness in memory of his son, Jonathan. Don wakes up each day looking forward to playing catch, whether it's with someone he's planned to meet or with a new person he's encountered on his daily route.

Baseball may be just a game, but it has the power to connect people, heal wounds, and keep memories alive. As Yogi Berra once said, "Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too."

Playing catch with a baseball is a simple pleasure that can bring immense joy and nostalgia to people of all ages. It allows us to connect with the act of play for play's sake and rekindle feelings not felt since childhood. Catching and throwing a ball with another person creates a sense of camaraderie and connection that is hard to replicate in other activities, often transporting the participants to younger and simpler times. The repetitive motion of throwing and catching can also be meditative, allowing us to tune out the stresses of daily life and focus solely on the present moment, and if it allows for the remembrance of a special person taken too soon in the prime of his life after receiving a second lease on life with a heart transplant,, it is even more special. For a loving father missing his son, it’s a way to create new memories to honor his son with a simple act that connects them both, the act of throwing a baseball and catching memories.

The Kirk family has partnered with the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region to manage the Jonathan D. Kirk Foundation to award grants to nonprofit organizations that support individuals and families that are dealing with life-threatening medical conditions. Examples of organizations that will receive support from the fund are Ronald McDonald House Charities, the American Heart Association, and Albany Medical Center.

You can contribute to Don’s efforts to help those faced with similar, overwhelming health crises by supporting the Jonathan D. Kirk Foundation of The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region

Make checks payable to The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region or CFGCR, with the “Jonathan D. Kirk Foundation” written on the memo line, and send to:

The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region
Two Tower Place
Albany, NY 12203

You can visit https://www.cfgcr.org/ for additional ways to donate. 

You can find Ethan Bryan’s book A Year of Playing Catch: What a Simple Daily Experiment Taught Me about Life at booksellers and on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Year-Playing-Catch-Simple-Experiment/dp/0310360307

If you are interested in playing catch, you can reach out to Don Kirk directly at don.kirk9@gmail.com

Written by John Bulmer, Public Information Officer, Captial Cardiology Associates