Two months ago, nine-year-old John “Parker” Staples was in the hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery. He was breathing through a ventilator, giving his parents encouraging “thumbs up” signals that he was going to be fine after having been diagnosed a few months earlier with Lymphoma.
Monday afternoon, Parker was doing what most every kid his age was doing, throwing a baseball with his friends. Except this time his game of catch was on a larger stage: Virginia’s Disharoon Park, surrounded by the entire Cavaliers baseball team.
Moments earlier the Waynesboro Little Leaguer had become the youngest recruit to ever sign with UVa baseball, thanks to a program with Team IMPACT, which unites Division I athletics to those with childhood illness.
“I’m very excited to be a part of this team,” Parker said, melting the hearts of everyone in attendance at the special press conference. “I love baseball and I want to be on this team in college.”
With uncommon poise for a nine-year-old in front of TV cameras and photographers, Parker handled himself like a pro — even though his mom, Jessica, said he confessed to being nervous before arriving for the big moment. If he was nervous, it wasn’t showing.
The youngster had everyone in the palm of his hands from the moment he walked into the room and shook hands with every member of the Virginia baseball team. Greeted by Cavaliers head coach Brian O’Connor, the two took center stage for the ceremony, with all of Parker’s new teammates surrounding them.
O’Connor introduced his new recruit, pointing out that Parker had everything the Cavaliers require to be successful: courage and strength during challenging times; the importance of resiliency and ability to bounce back; and a never-give-up attitude.
“He’s tough, can handle adversity, and he’s a fighter,” O’Connor said of his new team member. “He’s courageous and strong. He’s smart and funny. Oh, and finally, he loves KFC and Taylor Swift.”
Before Parker signed his contract, O’Connor had to take care of some housekeeping items and replaced Parker’s Washington Nationals T-shirt and cap with a Virginia jersey and hat.
“We love the Nationals,” O’Connor said (UVa has three former players on Washington’s roster), “but we need to get you in orange and blue.”
With all the skill of a father who has helped button up his own children’s clothes, O’Connor buttoned Parker’s new Cavaliers jersey before the two signed on the dotted line.
Parker received several Virginia jerseys, T-shirts, caps, and a brand-new glove as his teammates applauded.
“You’ll get every kind of equipment that all your teammates get,” O’Connor said.
“They even have a locker for him with his name on it,” Jessica Staples said. “This is so much more than we expected. He’s like one of them. We’re amazed at how welcome we feel here already.”
The family actually had previous plans for the day but once Virginia called to announce the signing ceremony, everything quickly changed.
“Parker said, ‘Mom, I’m on the team and I can’t miss practice,’” she said. “He feels he’s just one of the guys. He’s so excited and a little star-struck, too.”
Once the signing was over, Parker had something for his new team in return, a bag full of bracelets that he acquired while in the hospital in Charlottesville.
“We talk about being a family around here and we’re so excited about having your family as a part of our family,” O’Connor said. “We’re looking forward to the days, and months, and years to come. You’re always welcome here.”
Parker’s dad, Jamie, said that UVa players had already reached out to his son with texts of encouragement, support, and welcoming him aboard.
“UVa in general has been really good to us, everyone from the doctors at the hospital to the baseball program,” Jamie Staples said.
Cavaliers player Chesdin Harrington said that UVa’s program had wanted to connect with Team IMPACT for some time, particularly after the softball team had done something similar last year. He and some other teammates spearheaded the project.
“We are all so happy to be involved,” Harrington said. “It’s a great experience for us and we’re excited to get this going.”
O’Connor summed up the event with one sentence.
“These [players] standing behind me have the ability to impact one individual, but this guy here [Parker Staples] impacts 34 guys behind him,” O’Connor said.
Parker spoke briefly about his love of the game, how he wanted to be a pitcher, and that Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is his favorite player. All the while, he was champing at the bit to get out on the field at Disharoon.
His mom, Jessica, with a joy in her eyes, could hardly believe this was all happening so soon after the surgery two months ago.
“To see him out there on the field, hanging with the guys, seeing him doing something that he loves is really rewarding,” she said.
At last glance, Parker was on the infield at “The Dish,” showing his new teammates his fastball. Just what a nine-year-old should be doing.