Jayden Pinder, a longtime player in the Junior Baseball League of Nassau, died on Boxing Day after a jet ski accident off West Bay Street.
Police say the incident happened shortly before six in the evening when two men riding a jet ski were thrown into the sea after being hit by a wave.
Bystanders helped both men to shore, but Pinder became unresponsive. Emergency personnel administered CPR, and he was taken to the hospital, where he later died.
Pinder was the only child of Janeile Pinder and the grandson of Bishop Carrington Pinder.
He spent more than a decade in the Junior Baseball League, moving from T-ball through the senior division.
Coaches and league officials say he stood out not for flash but for steady effort and sportsmanship.
Victor Cartwright, coach and commissioner of the Junior Baseball League of Nassau, remembered him as respectful and eager to learn.
“He was very hard to come by,” Cartwright said. “If he ever made a mistake or if he ever did someone wrong, he was very, very quick to apologize. You know, he never, never held it in, and never held a grudge. Always a sponge for learning, very respectful.”
Cartwright also recalled Jayden calling him just to check in. “He called me regularly, and I spoke with him recently, less than two weeks ago. Always call to say hi coach just calling to let you know I was thinking about you. I told him I love him, he said he loved me. Always one of a few guys, one of few kids that always called me regularly, so you know, I was really hit hard.”
Former commissioner Shane Albury said he had watched Jayden grow through the league and admired the way he played. “I never had an opportunity to coach him, but I’ve seen him play. I’ve watched him play, and it was always, you know, as coaches will say, he always did it the right way. You look at players when they don’t even see you looking at them,” Albury said.
“You see them encouraging their teammates, you see them hustling off the field, hustling them on the field.”
Countless Prayers For the Teen!
The Junior Baseball League of Nassau released a brief statement expressing sorrow and support.
“The JBLN community is saddened by the passing of Jayden Pinder, a former JBLN player. We send our heartfelt condolences to his mom, Janeil, his family and loved ones,” the statement read.
A candlelight vigil has been planned for the weekend to give the community a place to gather and grieve.
Family responses after the tragedy have mixed raw grief with faith. Janeile Pinder posted a short plea for privacy and prayer. “Please just keep my family in your prayers during this difficult time,” she wrote.
Jayden’s aunt Sabriquent offered a longer message that leaned on faith and comfort. She wrote,
“This pain is so great but God we know that you are our strength. We need you to comfort us. Wrap your loving arms around my sister Janeile Pinder. My nephew, Jayden, we will love you forever. Captain Jayden Pinder, so full of energy and life. This sudden tragedy is stinging but God we know that you will not leave nor forsake us right now. Thank you to everyone for your thoughtfulness, prayers and support of our family during this time.”
Members of the wider community also spoke out, remembering Jayden as energetic and kind.
Ericka Elizabeth, whose children were classmates with Jayden at NCA, said, “Jayden and my twins were classmates at NCA and also played basketball together at JBLN for a short while. When one of my sons told me of his tragic demise, I felt so much pain for his mom. I can’t fathom what she’s going through.”
Longtime family friend GodsGift Williams offered condolences to the family and to Dr Pinder, whom he has known for decades.
“Deepest sympathy Dr Pinder whom I have known for the past 30 years a woman of integrity god knows what you are going thru at this time of bereavement he will never leave you or forsake you may you find comfort knowing that your son is resting in the arms of the almighty Amen.”
Robyn Davis added personal memories after that prayer. “I will never forget his jolly spirit. I have so many memories of him at the games, and his biggest supporter, his mom was never missing. May his soul rest in peace and I pray for his family at this hard time, especially his mother.”
Police said the initial report is straightforward and limited to the facts of the accident. Two people were on the jet ski when a wave caused both to fall into the water.
Those nearby assisted them back to shore. CPR was performed until emergency medical services arrived.
Jayden was transported to the hospital and later pronounced dead. Authorities have not released further details about possible contributing factors or whether any formal inquiries into safety or negligence will follow.
For the JBLN community and for families who watched Jayden grow up, the response is practical and focused.
Coaches have urged teammates and parents to attend the vigil, to share memories and to check on one another.
Grief for a young person hits beyond one family. It reaches classrooms, ball fields, and churches where routine and community were once ordinary and are now marked by absence.
The family has asked for privacy while they make arrangements and grieve. The league has asked that condolences be expressed with sensitivity and respect.
As investigations continue and as the community prepares to gather, people remember Jayden not for the way he died but for the way he lived: steady in effort, quick to learn, quick to apologize, and full of life.
