For J.J. Schwarz, baseball isn’t everything. During his college and professional baseball career, Schwarz discovered a cause that pulls at his heartstrings: the global water crisis.
According to his wife, Antonella Schwarz, the former catcher always strove to use baseball as an avenue for serving others and pointing to something greater than himself. Schwarz played college baseball for the Florida Gators, where he was named Freshman Player of the Year and Freshman Hitter of the Year in 2015, led his team to the College World Series four times, and was named first-team All-SEC in his senior year. In 2018, he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the eighth round of the MLB Draft. In 2024, he signed with the Gastonia Baseball Club before retiring in August.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
Despite these achievements, Schwarz remained levelheaded and humble, using his influence to share the Gospel and help people around the world have safe water.
“[J.J.’s] thing was always: ‘I need to make this less about me and more about others,’” Antonella said, “because it’s so easy to fall into the trap of self-centeredness in professional sports when everybody’s praising you if you do well. … He has always had a burning passion for the world water crisis.”
In December 2024, Antonella Schwarz ran the Kiawah Island Half Marathon in Charleston, South Carolina, to raise funds for Water Mission. (Photo courtesy of Water Mission)
In November 2022, J.J. and Antonella heard about Water Mission for the first time. After years of supporting a secular nonprofit that helps bring safe water to people in need, the Schwarzes were excited about Water Mission’s vision that all people have safe water and an opportunity to experience God’s love.
“When we heard about Water Mission, we were like, ‘Woah, this is cool because not only is it the same mission where you’re raising funds and helping end the world water crisis, but it’s a faith-based organization, which lines up with our core beliefs,’” Antonella said.
From there, J.J. and Antonella began partnering with Water Mission to raise funds and awareness to help bring safe water to the 2 billion people around the world who lack it. As a professor of exercise sciences at Barry University in Miami, Florida, Antonella’s heart for safe water directly relates to her work and what she loves to do: exercise.
“Hydration is a huge part of the world of science and physiology and sports performance,” Antonella said. “You can’t think clearly without enough water; you can’t move clearly without water. And so that’s just how it ties back to my work. [Water is] so important.”
During the baseball season, Schwarz used his platform as a professional catcher to promote Water Mission’s work. Meanwhile, in the offseason, Antonella began to run for safe water.
View this post on Instagram
In January 2023, Antonella ran a marathon in her hometown, using the event to raise funds for Water Mission. Due to her and her husband’s following, Antonella raised nearly $3,000 for Water Mission by promoting her fundraiser on social media.
After the success of her first fundraiser, Antonella wanted to involve more people in her effort. In December 2024, Antonella and three Water Mission staff members ran the Kiawah Island Half Marathon in Charleston, South Carolina, to raise funds. Once again, she and J.J. promoted the race on social media, using their platforms to make an impact.
“At the end of the day, if somebody were to remove your accolades and your achievements, what’s left?” Antonella said. “What’s your legacy? … I think it’s a blessing that you get a platform, and what better way to use it? You’re not just spreading the Gospel; you’re not just talking about Jesus. You’re talking about Jesus and helping solve a problem.”
From left: Melinda Oester, Water Mission strategic production manager; Antonella Schwarz; Dahlia Svoboda; and Krista Pack, Water Mission senior specialist of community engagement, at the Kiawah Island Half Marathon. (Photo courtesy of Water Mission)
While in Charleston, J.J., Antonella, and former professional tennis player Shelby Rogers toured Water Mission’s headquarters, witnessing firsthand where Water Mission creates, builds and monitors the safe water treatment systems used to deliver safe water worldwide.
Krista Pack, senior specialist of community engagement at Water Mission, ran the half marathon with Antonella and gave the Schwarzes their tour. She said, “It’s always cool to bring [partners] to HQ for them to see where everything happens. It’s really God’s work in them that is inviting and calling them to be part of our work.”
Antonella shared that she hopes to continue running races to raise money for Water Mission while her husband uses his platform to do the same.
“I think it’s your responsibility if you are given a platform of any sort to use it for the greater good, and it’s a lot more fulfilling and satisfying,” Antonella said. “You just feel better about what you’re doing if you’re able to serve others.”
Pack agrees that an athlete’s platform is one of the best ways for them to make a global impact, saying, “I think that athletes in particular — and a lot of influencers — they have connections and networks that we don’t necessarily have access to. They have been given a specific platform to be able to influence a lot of people, and so their ability and willingness to share about Water Mission with their spheres of influence is absolutely invaluable.”
Like Antonella, anyone can utilize their hobby to raise awareness for causes they are passionate about. If you are interested in raising funds and awareness for Water Mission through your run club, an upcoming race, or another event, visit watermission.org/raise-funds. If you want to join J.J. and Antonella Schwarz in using your platform to advocate for safe water, visit watermission.org/advocate.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED STORIES:
— Former NFL players see impact during Water Mission vision trip to Kenya
— Athletes use time, talent, treasure to transform lives with Water Mission
— GET IN THE GAME PODCAST: Craig Kimbrel – Nine-Time MLB All-Star
— SS PODCAST: Former NFL’er Benjamin Watson on Kenya trip w/ Water Mission
— MLB players see firsthand how water builds life in Mexico with Water Mission