College baseball player Parker Byrd made a remarkable return to the diamond Friday night, two years after a horrific boating accident forced his right leg to be amputated.
Byrd was tubing in North Carolina when he fell into the water and was struck by the boat’s propeller, while WHSV reported at the time.
He missed the entire 2023 season for East Carolina University, but finally made his collegiate debut on Friday against Rider, when he entered the game in the eighth inning to a standing ovation.
Standing in the batter’s box with a prosthetic leg, Byrd drew a walk before being replaced by a pinch-runner.
After the game, he said, “I couldn’t be more grateful to have the opportunity I had today,” according to The Athletic.
Parker Byrd played Friday night for East Carolina University with a prosthetic leg
Byrd’s right leg was amputated below the knee after horrific boating accident
With his appearance in the 16-2 victory, Byrd became the first Division 1 baseball player to take the field with a prosthetic leg.
The road back for Byrd was a painful one, as ESPN said in its broadcast of the game that he underwent 22 surgeries in 45 days after his injury, according to The Athletic.
After falling from the tube, Byrd was approaching the boat that was towing him when the ski rope pulling the tube became caught in the propeller and pushed Byrd into the boat.
It was then that he was seriously injured by the propeller blades.
He later had to be flown to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville.