Astros host Stoneman Douglas baseball coach, family at spring training

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Houston Astros Friday morning welcomed Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's baseball coach and other team members to their spring training facility ahead of the 'Stros first game.

All 30 Major League Baseball teams will wear a patch on their caps to pay tribute to the victims and families of the school shooting last Wednesday in Parkland, Florida.

Stoneman Douglas baseball coach Todd Fitz-gerald, his sons Devin and Hunter and assistant coach David Taylor all visited the Astros' facility and were scheduled to be a part of the pregame ceremony.

Fitz-gerald spoke with us about what MLB is doing to offer support.

"You can't put it into words. I think it's great what Major League Baseball is doing to show support for our community and our school," he said. "It's been a rough week. Just being out here and just having a sense of freedom today and being around the game that you love and being around the sport your grew up playing your whole life and just seeing these guys doing what they're doing... we appreciate it. Words can't really express what we're going through, but this right here today is huge for us, huge for our school and our community."

VIDEO: Full interview with Coach Fitz-gerald

Friday was a chance to continue the healing process as MLB reaches out to lend its support.  

"For us to wear their hats, for us to tell them that we're on their side is our way to galvanize everybody, get everybody together in one setting and let them know they're not alone," Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.

"It's good to see. It's not like we're doing anything out of the ordinary for them. This isn't charity. They just get to be around us, which I think is really good for them," Evan Gattis said.

The Astros play the Nationals Friday afternoon.