Family of ECU’s Parker Byrd Emotional As He Makes History Playing With Prosthetic Leg

East Carolina sophomore Parker Byrd made history Friday night, becoming the first NCAA Division I college baseball player to appear in a game with a prosthetic leg.

In the eighth inning of the Pirates’ 16–2 victory over Rider, Byrd, who had his right leg amputated following a boating accident in July 2022, strolled up to the plate to pinch-hit for designated hitter Chaz Myers. Five pitches later, Byrd’s career on-base percentage read 1.000. He took a first-pitch strike and then drew a walk.

Over 5,000 fans at Clark-LeClair Stadium roared in approval when Byrd walked up to the plate. The sophomore tipped his cap to the crowd before digging into the batter’s box.

Byrd’s family was there, too. A video posted by ECU captured the family’s heartwarming reaction.

What a moment.