Looking Forward, Chris Singleton Set for Baseball After Emanuel

Chris Singleton/WCIV

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Chris Singleton’s toughest moment on a baseball field had little to do with the game. Just 24 hours after his mother was shot and killed at Emanuel AME Church last June, the Charleston Southern baseball player held a press conference on the diamond.

Standing there, late one humid Friday night, Singleton was surrounded by teammates holding back tears as he chose to promote love over hate.

Now, with the baseball season set to start Friday, Singleton is back on that same field ready to honor the memory of his mother by playing the game he loves — and the game she loved to see him play.

It’s been eight months since Singleton’s life was changed forever. The then-19-year-old college boy turned man spoke for an entire city when he asked for peace and calm after an unimaginable tragedy took his mother.

“Love the way my mom would,” Singleton said. “I just say love is always stronger than hate. If we just love the way my mom would the hate won’t be anywhere close to what love is.”

Since that moment, Singleton and his siblings have seen an incredible outpouring of support. Several professional athletes, including members of the New York Yankees and Carolina Panther quarterback Cam Newtown, took time with Singleton.

While in New York, Singleton even sent a few souviniers into the stands before a home game for the pinstriped pros.

“I make him stand up all the time and say what Tom Brady did to prepare, what Cam did. You see it on him. He carries himself with that air. I want to make people proud, more than what I’m about,” said CSU head baseball coach Stuart Lake.

Now those memories are history, they’ll fade into the background as Friday is a fresh start for Singleton, his sophomore baseball season.

The now-20-year-old with CSU on his chest has two crosses flanking to school logo. They’re reminders that there are plenty of support structures around him when his faith alone isn’t enough.

“Some mornings are hard for me. Picture of mom on the wall. I come to the field in between classes a lot just to keep my mind all right,” he said. “I’m a Christian. If praying isn’t working, I call my brother and sister. Big help other than prayer for myself.”

But what he stands for — and what he’s been through — won’t drive a baseball over the wall.

“It doesn’t carry weight – I just want to go play ball like I always have,” Singleton said.

His religion won’t help him make a diving catch, but it can keep him going.

Publicly, Singleton’s toughest moment on the field has already come and gone, and it was seen by countless millions across the world.

For him, the meaning of freedom is found on a sign in the outfield, on his helmet, and on his jersey. It’s the drawing of the state tree, a Palmetto tree, and nine doves taking flight, a symbol of transcending the heartbreaking violence that rocked the Holy City.

“The number one problem is going to be you’re going to want to make it better right away. You can’t. Love him. Give it time. Be there for him. That’s what I’ve done the whole time,” Lake said.

Friday truly is a fresh start to a new season and a chance to look forward.

Singleton and the Bucs were set to open the season against West Virginia at the North Charleston campus, but thanks to record rainfall and a field that’s still a bit underwater the boys of summer will face off at Riley Park in downtown Charleston Friday morning.

For every game of the season, they’ll sport the modified Palmetto tree logo honoring the nine victims of the Emanuel AME shooting.