ECU baseball player Parker Byrd is a strong Pirate following through with his dreams
GREENVILLE, N.C. — 鈥淣ever give up on your dreams, no matter how hard the road may become.鈥� A quote beyond his years, from nineteen-year-old Parker Byrd, who knows all too much about paving the way for athletes that encounter setbacks.
The East Carolina University sophomore from Laurinburg, NC, dreamt of playing as a Pirate at a very young age. 鈥淚 have always loved playing baseball from the time I could walk. I started playing travel baseball at 5 years old and have played it ever since. It鈥檚 always been my favorite sport.鈥�
Parker was a four-year varsity letterman at Scotland High School with 31 hits, 27 RBIs and 21 runs scored his senior year. The driven athlete was ranked the 75th-best shortstop nationally and the 20th-rated recruit, signing his letter of intent with ECU without hesitation. Parker had set a personal goal to be a Pirate when he was in middle school and was elated to wear purple and gold as a shortstop for the 2023 season.
Last year, Parker was settling in as an upcoming freshman and enjoying the summer with his teammates before training. On July 23, 2022, Parker and his friends went boating, not knowing that sunny day would result in a life-altering accident.
Parker explains, 鈥淭he recovery process has been intense. I started going to the batting cages when I first got out of the hospital. I would sit in my wheelchair and just watch pitches, taking 鈥榤ental at bats鈥�.鈥�
The boating accident on that fateful day resulted in Parker having his lower right leg amputated, enduring fourteen surgeries during his 28-day stay at Vidant Hospital. Parker鈥檚 loved ones rallied behind him during this unimaginable time in his life, leaving him inspired to push through to his next chapter.
鈥淭he support from my family, friends, team and community has been incredible. Coach Godwin spent many days in the hospital with me and has been one of my biggest lifelines. After I was moved out of ICU in the hospital, I was allowed to go outside. My friends from both back home and the baseball team would come and sit with me outside every day.鈥�
Parker adds, 鈥淥nce I was discharged, my friends still continued to come daily to see me. They would push me in a wheelchair to their dorm rooms so I could hangout and feel somewhat of a 鈥榥ormal college kid鈥�. They have been there every step of the way, whether it is helping me hit or workout, or just hanging out playing the PlayStation.鈥�
Parker鈥檚 loving and close-knit family have also played an instrumental part in his healing process, both physically and emotionally. He describes, 鈥淢y family has been a huge support for me. My parents sold their house and bought a new one in Greenville. My dad changed jobs and now works here in town. My mom has been my personal nurse many days. Both my sisters changed schools. They all live in Greenville now and it was mainly to support me through this process.鈥�
Parker has always been 鈥渦p for a challenge鈥� and has proven that his injury will not deter him from his dreams of playing collegiate baseball. Shortly after being discharged from the hospital, the dedicated young man began training at Youngs Physical Therapy & Sports Performance to return to the field.
鈥淥nce I was strong enough to stand, I would do one-arm hitting drills holding onto my walker. I continued to get stronger and would then use one crutch for support while hitting. Now I am able to do regular hitting with my prosthesis. After my final surgery and I received clearance from my doctor, I started working on rebuilding my lower body strength.鈥�
Parker has had 22 total surgeries and received a custom prosthetic leg this spring, allowing him to continue his journey. Currently, the athlete works out three times a week with the ECU baseball trainer, an ECU physical therapist and a Youngs sports performance trainer. He also fits in daily home gym workouts with his family and makes sure to swim several times a week.
Parker鈥檚 determination has not gone unnoticed by the community, as he was named the Pirate Pride award winner at the 2023 Goldspys. The event highlights the success and hard work of East Carolina University student-athletes. The Pirate shortstop has remained very much a part of the ECU baseball program despite his injury, attending every fall practice and team meeting.
鈥淭he Greenville community has been amazing. Everywhere I go, someone is often stopping me to give love or encouragement to push forward. For the first couple of months, we had food provided for our family every night. A Go Fund Me account was started from a Jungle Fan to help with medical expenses. I honestly could not have had a better support system than I have received here at ECU and Greenville.鈥�
Parker鈥檚 tenacity has also caught the nation鈥檚 attention, with the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) reaching out to his family soon after Parker鈥檚 accident. The non-profit organization provides opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, allowing them to pursue active lifestyles and play competitive sports.
Last spring, Parker was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch for CAF prior to the Houston Astro鈥檚 game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
鈥淭hrowing the first pitch at the Astros game was a surreal experience. I got to meet and talk with Alex Bregman, one of my favorite MLB players. We talked about hitting for 20 to 25 minutes. I also got to meet many other players from the Astros and Blue Jays and they took me to the room where the World Series trophies are kept.鈥�
He jokingly adds, 鈥淢y main goal throwing out the first pitch was to make sure I didn鈥檛 bounce it. It wasn鈥檛 a strike or my best pitch, but at least I got it to them in the air.鈥�
To know Parker Byrd鈥檚 story is incredible, but to know Parker Byrd is an honor. He carries a smile with him everywhere he goes, while exuding confidence with grace and humility. The world is ready to cheer on this remarkable young man when he returns to the field, especially in Pirate Nation.
鈥淢y main advice to an athlete after recovery, is to continue the hard work and trust your plan. Things aren鈥檛 always going to be smooth and easy, but if it is something you truly want then it can be achievable.鈥�
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