Beloved Bridgeport Little League coach dies at 21

The Bridgeport community is grieving after the death of a 21-year-old beloved Little League coach.

The father of Steve Diaz is thanking the Bridgeport baseball community on Friday for what he's calling the incredible outpouring of support following his son's death.

"I don't think too many kids would endure what Steve had to endure and not complain. Never complained, and that's the thing that came out during the funeral service; he never complained," he said.

He says his son was born and raised in Bridgeport and attended New Beginnings Family Academy & Fairfield Prep, and in 2019, was diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome and adrenal cancer.

Cushing's syndrome is a condition in which the body overproduces a hormone called cortisol.

Diaz’ father told News 12 he will keep his son's legacy alive while educating the public about Cushing's syndrome.

"This could have been prevented, I think it's important," the father said.

He says the condition causes visible effects such as swelling in the face, which, if spotted early enough and reported to a doctor, can be treated and managed.

"I told Steve before they closed the casket that you're going to heaven and you will not be forgotten," he said.

He says if doctors had intervened early enough, Diaz could have lived a relatively normal life.

The grieving father is now building awareness about Cushing's and says he'll work to keep his son's memory alive.

The family created a GoFundMe in honor of Diaz to benefit the North End Little League.