East Carolina University sophomore baseball player Parker Byrd made his first collegiate appearance after having his right leg amputated in 2022. Byrd had his leg amputated after a near-death boating accident during the summer going into his freshman year of college. On Feb. 16, he made history in their season opener against Rider University by becoming the first Division 1 baseball player to play with a prosthetic leg.
The Pirates’ infielder and right-handed pitcher is originally from Laurinburg, North Carolina. He played high school baseball at Scotland High School and graduated in 2022. During his high school career, Byrd was a four-year varsity letterman for baseball and ranked a nine out of 10 by Perfect Game, meaning he was a potential top-10 first-round draft pick and a high-level college prospect.
After Byrd’s freshman year at ECU, his life would be forever changed in 2022 in Bath, North Carolina, on July 23. Byrd was involved in a serious boating accident while he and his friends were tubing. After falling off his tube, Byrd was struck by another boat’s propeller and almost died. Although he survived, he suffered the loss of his right leg. Over a span of 45 days, he went through 22 surgeries.
According to Sporting News, the accident happened the summer before Byrd attended the university but after he was already committed, which resulted in him missing his entire freshman season.
“I knew Parker before the injury,” said Alec Makarewicz, one of Byrd’s former teammates at ECU. “We met when he first came to ECU for initiation and to first join the team. I was emotional seeing him make his comeback. He has the spirit of a champion.”
After thinking he would never play again, Byrd is now suiting up for his real first season as a potential trailblazer for amputees in sports.
Former MLB pitcher for the New York Yankees Jim Abbott, who played 10 seasons in the big leagues despite having a deformed right arm, was just one of the many professional players to congratulate Byrd after his return.
In the Pirates’ season opener against Rider, Byrd would finally make his debut for ECU. He recorded an emotional and historic at-bat in front of a sold-out crowd, where he got on base by drawing a walk.
“It is very impressive that Byrd was able to accomplish this, especially only missing one season,” said Braeden Smith, a freshman outfielder for GC’s baseball team.
While being replaced by a pinch runner, Byrd received a standing ovation from the crowd in Greenville, North Carolina. Byrd’s comeback is expected to be continued, as he will make appearances regularly in the batting order.
According to AP News, ECU’s head coach, Cliff Godwin, stated that moment was one of his proudest moments as a coach. He went on to explain that this is just the start for Byrd, as he hopes to get him playing on the field in future games.
