Alabama father with cancer gets to watch his son play baseball one last time

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September 9, 2015

WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news.
(Video Above: WSFA news in Montgomery shares the story of Ryan and Gary Parrish)

PRATTVILLE, Ala. — 11-year-old Ryan Parrish took the pitching mound last night for the first time in his baseball career so his father could watch him play, perhaps for the last time.

“Over the summer we found out my dad had cancer,” Ryan told WSFA Tuesday night, while he choked back tears.

In June Ryan’s father, Gary, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer which had already metastasized to his liver, which is over 60 percent covered with cancer.

In August more than 20 pounds of fluid was pulled off Gary’s abdomen, and on September 1st the family decided to discontinue treatment after the illness stopped responding to drugs.

“He played last year, and Gary was at every game,” said Ryan’s grandfather, Roy Parrish. “And this will probably be his only game, so it means his life actually to come see the game.”

Now, Gary Parrish is being taken care of by Hospice while he spends a few last weeks with his family.

During Summer practice Ryan’s baseball coach, Caison Whatley, noticed the boy’s family was absent from practices and his player was distracted, and not acting like himself.

“When he first got out here, he didn’t have a whole lot of focus, and I found out why. He’s got a whole lot more on his mind than we could ever have,” said Whatley

When the coach discovered just why Ryan was struggling, and how little time the player had left with his father, he went to the city to ask they allow the team to play a game a week early.

“We want to give Ryan something to cherish for the rest of his life and this may be it,” the coach said.

Tuesday night Ryan wore the number 21 on his uniform, the same number his dad had worn when he played sports as a teen.

The Haynes Ambulance of Alabama provided the transportation for Gary to watch his son one last time, where Ryan said he hopes he throws “only strikes.”

“He may not be here for the other games and tonight is very special because he gets to come here tonight,” Ryan said.

The family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with medical and final expenses, as well as a Facebook group where others can their prayers for the family.