ECU’s Parker Byrd receives first pitch from child with cancer, nearly hits homer

by | Jun 19, 2025

East Carolina baseball star Parker Byrd continues to inspire.

In addition to hosting “The Parker Byrd Show,” he’s playing baseball this summer for the Edenton Steamers in The Old North State League. The Steamers were in Tarboro on Wednesday to take on the River Bandits. Byrd had an active day when he was part of the first-pitch ceremony with a child who is battling cancer.

According to WNCT.com, the River Bandits held a ceremonial first pitch with Byrd and Lewis Anderson, a child diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. Joined by his parents, Anderson threw out the first pitch then got to meet Byrd.

Though the River Bandits won the game, 11-2, Byrd did his part. He nearly hit a homer in one of his at-bats, as seen in the above video posted to X by Davis Searcy.

Photo credit: Parker Byrd (ECUPirates.com photo)

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