TY PARKER on a quest to reach his goal.

Competitor:   “One who participates in an organized team or individual sport that requires regular competition against others as a central component, places a high premium on excellence and achievement, and requires some form of systematic (and usually intense) training”.

Ty Parker is a competitor!  He hates to lose.  In fact, Parker said, “He hates to lose more than he likes winning.”  It is a family thing.  Ty’s older brother, Leyton, who plays baseball at NEO, doesn’t like to lose either.  Their Dad, Gerald and his wife Tara raised two boys that understand competing and what it takes to be winner.  Bella, their sister, plays sports and is a big fan of her brothers.  Family is a great support system for both boys and Bella!

Ty Parker is a senior at Pioneer High School.  He moved to Pioneer High School in the fall of 2020 when his Dad accepted a teaching position at the school.  Gerald teaches math and became Athletic Director in 2021.

Ty Parker has a career 23-5 record as a hard throwing left hander with 276 strikeouts.  He has thrown seven no hitters and three perfect games in Class A.

I talked with Dad, Gerald and asked him when he knew his son was a player with some serious potential.  He thought a moment and recalled a time when Ty was competing to be part of the USA National Team and a former major leaguer raved about his arm.  He also remembered that Ty played “up” most summer baseball seasons and that he understands losing and has learned many lessons from failure and dealing with adversity. 

Dave Riesen, Hall of Fame head baseball coach at Pioneer, called Ty “one of the best players he has ever coached and one of the hardest workers.”  Riesen knew he was good from Day One.  Parker throws hard, has good movement, and has a good mental approach to the game.  Riesen said, “He is really good, when he is not at his best.”  Parker is self-confident and has earned that confidence through putting in the work when no one was watching.

Tim Riesen, assistant baseball coach at Pioneer and pitching coach, said, “Ty has God given special talents.  He has a lot of stuff most kids don’t have.”   

Ty Parker has signed a NJCAA Division I letter-of-intent with Cowley College in Arkansas City, KS.  The baseball program is highly successful with six trips to the NJCAA DI World Series and two national championships.  The Tigers compete in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. 

Parker is excited about the opportunity to compete and get better at an elite program like Cowley County.  Going to junior college will also give Parker the opportunity to get drafted by Major League Baseball.  That is the ultimate goal!

Keep an eye on the Pioneer Mustangs this spring as they compete for another trip to the Class A State Baseball Championship.