Mike Parker, father: like father, like son
May 4, 2017
Junior Evan Parker has had a great opportunity to be coached by his dad. Mike Parker is the head varsity coach for the boys baseball team.
This unique opportunity for both father and son has bonded them extremely close over the years on and off the field. From knowing practice times to working on very specific skills, both have been right by each other’s sides throughout the numerous years as player and coach, but more importantly father and son.
This year, Evan is on JV baseball team. The JV and Varsity practice together, which allows Coach Parker to be able to coach Evan. Not many get this opportunity to be mentored by their own father.
My dad got me to start playing baseball when I was young and now he doesn’t make me, I just like to play and be a part of the team.
— Evan Parker
Mike Parker said, “I like coaching him because I get to see him around his friends socially. He’s got a great personality, he’s really outgoing, and I get to see the outside of him. I am lucky enough where a lot of parents don’t get to see how their kids might be at school.”
Evan commented on his dad, “I like that my dad is the coach because he always knows my strengths and weaknesses best and he understands when I have to miss a practice because of something I’m doing.”
Coach Parker had the experience of playing in high school at Forest Lake and in college at St. Thomas as a pitcher. Evan follows in his father’s footsteps as a pitcher and a second baseman for the JV team.
“My dad got me to start playing baseball when I was young and now he doesn’t make me, I just like to play and be a part of the team,” Evan said.
Being the son of the coach comes with some benefits. Being the first one to know all the stuff going on on the team and where you need to be at what time comes in handy.
“I like that he always tells me when practice is and fills me in on stuff,” Evan said. Mike Parker added, “It’s nice for him to see what I do for a job and he actually gets to experience what my day to day life is like more than you normally do.”
Mike Parker said, “Individually I am always rooting for him [Evan] to do well and hoping that he makes the plays and is enjoying himself. I probably pay for attention to his attitude and whether or not he is having fun more then I might other players. I want him to have fun playing baseball because personally I know his love is basketball not baseball.”
