Fin Parra isn’t what you’d expect from a typical freshman.
The Wright City catcher has played a key role in everything from calling pitches for the Wildcats to swinging a mean stick at the …
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Fin Parra isn’t what you’d expect from a typical freshman.
The Wright City catcher has played a key role in everything from calling pitches for the Wildcats to swinging a mean stick at the plate in the team’s early-season schedule.
His reasons for doing so have nothing to do with personal statistics or glory; Parra has more altruistic motivations.
“I want to be out there, helping anyone who needs help, whenever they need it,” Parra said. “I want to do what’s best for my team.”
So far, Parra has done plenty of good for Wright City (3-3).
He’s hitting .429 with a 1.079 slugging percentage to go along with a double and a team-high eight RBI.
In what may have been Wright City’s biggest win to date, Parra went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBI in an 8-6 conference win over North Callaway on March 24.
Wright City Coach Cody Bair said that Parra’s value to the team is easy to see. It goes beyond a simple set of numbers to how the freshman carries himself on the diamond.
“Fin continues to be a key piece for us on both sides of the ball,” Bair said. “He is getting more comfortable with the group and has taken on the responsibility of helping set the tone and putting us in a position to be successful.”
Parra said that he intends to play the game he loves to the best of his ability and not to overcomplicate things.
He said that a simple approach has helped him so far and that if he continues on this path, he’ll keep helping his team succeed.
“I’m just not trying to do too much,” Parra said. “I’m trying to keep my head in the game and help my team. I’m seeing the ball pretty well. I just try to go out. Do my own thing and be my own person while helping out in any way that I can. I want to help my team get a district title.”
Being a freshman catcher and having a bunch of older players pitching could prove daunting to some, but not to Parra, he said.
He feels as if long-term bonds formed with most of his teammates, and pitchers especially, are proving beneficial to everyone on the team.
While he wants to help his pitchers continue to improve, the team's collective 6.40 earned run average pales in comparison to the 7.8 runs per game the Wildcats’ offense is scoring.
“I’ve played with most of these guys for half my life,” Parra said. “We’ve played together since we were little. I call a lot of pitches. I want to work hard to help these guys stay in check, not show their emotions out on the field and I want to do my best to keep our team together. We do that and we’ll keep winning and achieve our goals.”
