Tragedy strikes incoming ECU baseball commit Parker Byrd

One of the things I love about the game of baseball is the way it provides many opportunities to learn about life.  Within the microcosm of a game there is a synchronized effort by a team of individuals to overcome adversity and strive for success.  We learn to deal with our failures and move forward to the next goal.

But sometimes real life throws some very unfair adversity at you that will test you in ways you never imagined.  This happened recently to high school baseball standout and incoming East Carolina University freshman Parker Byrd.

Byrd, an ECU baseball commit, has been in the operating room numerous times after suffering serious leg damage in a boating accident in Bath Creek on July 23.  The injuries from the accident left his leg muscles starved for blood and they were irreparably damaged.  After several surgeries, Parker had his right knee amputated after already undergoing a below-the-knee-amputation on the same side earlier this month.  

Doctors told the family Saturday’s surgery went well and they were happy with the results. The skin and muscle needed for padding looked good and once the dead tibia and fibula were removed, it would result in a good prosthetic fit.

A Laurinburg, NC native, he attended Scotland County High School and was also a standout player on his travel baseball team, the South Charlotte Panthers.  Scouts had described Parker as, “A 5-10 165 lb. primary middle infielder with a medium athletic build. He showed good bounce on the infield working on the balls of his feet with some lateral quickness working around the ball, he gathers out front of his body before making a strong accurate throw with carry at 87 mph. 

He showed good feel for the barrel all weekend using a leg lift trigger to start his swing, he has good feel for the barrel with strength in the hands at the point of contact, he worked to all field in batting practice and found hits up the middle in game action.  He is an excellent student.”

The ECU Pirates were impressed with Byrd early on, and he verbally committed to play baseball at ECU before playing a single high school game.  Both of his parents attended ECU.

Parker was joined on Friday by friends, family and ECU baseball coach Cliff Godwin. His mother Mitzi Byrd said Parker got to enjoy their company and he had some of his favorite foods brought to him. The biggest surprise was that someone arranged for him to get Los Angeles Dodgers baseball gear and an autographed baseball from Freddy Freeman.

This young man had his dreams of a baseball career cut short by a horrible accident.  Few of us ever have to deal with this sort of adversity so it is difficult to know the physical and emotional pain he is dealing with.  We can only hope that the mental toughness he displayed as a ballplayer can help him overcome this tragedy and go on to lead a successful life.

There is a GoFundMe page that has been established for anyone that wishes to make a donation to help with his medical costs.