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.

What. A. Moment. ????????‍☠️@parkerbyrd11 pic.twitter.com/qqkzVjfktj

— ECU Baseball (@ECUBaseball) February 16, 2024

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

All the feels as the Byrd family watched @parkerbyrd11 step into the batters box for the first time ???????? pic.twitter.com/G5h3kwR7wG

— ECU Baseball (@ECUBaseball) February 17, 2024

What a moment.