Parrott has goal of building Northwest baseball into a yearly contender
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson — There’s a certain energy here, in the way he talks, the way he’s focused and, as many throughout the Northwest baseball program hope, the way Cory Parrott will build.
In fact, the construction is already under way, maybe even slightly ahead of schedule.
A year ago the Mounties won seven games, but under Parrott, a first-year varsity skipper, the guys in red and black are 10-12-1.
“And about four of those losses could have gone either way,” he said bluntly.
Asked about the season so far, Parrott was quick to credit those around him.
“The kids are fantastic,” he said. “We have great chemistry with this group. It was a group that was really looking for something, and I think they’ve eaten up what we’ve brought to the table.”
In his first year with Northwest, Parrott is no stranger to the diamond.
He played at Western, graduating in 1999 before beginning his college career at Spring Arbor University.
When his playing days ended he went back to Western to teach, and coach at the junior varsity level for a few years before spending another few as a varsity assistant.
Now, the assistant principal at the middle school, his focus and commitment is to building the Northwest program into an annual contender.
“It’s all part of the process,” Parrott said Tuesday afternoon after his team’s game with Marshall was postponed due to weather. “Right now we’re a team of four seniors, but a lot of young guys who are pushing. The goal is to get better every single time out.”
And the payoff?
“We want to build this up to the point where we compete in the conference and in the district every single year,” Parrott said boldly. “But to do that, we have to compete every single day, especially considering how tough the conference we play in is.”
Through eight I-8 games, the Mounties were 3-5.
“We didn’t come out on the right end in some of them so far, but we’ve been in some very close games,” Parrott said. “But the effort and attitude have been great. The guys go after everything. They are in it to the max. They back each other up and get frustrated for the right reasons.”
Parrott said his coaching style is something the team has welcomed, which is key to garnering future success.
“I like the phrase, ‘guarantee what you can guarantee,’” he said. “I ask them to go all out at all times, to commit to this. When we are at practice, I want them all in at practice. When they are at school, I want them all in at school. It comes with that focus and that attitude. We’re all in this together.”
And together, the Mounties have soared past last year’s win total with an up-and-coming team ready to make plenty of noise for years to come.
“To be honest this is a group that could get to a regional (this year) if we play the right game and the right way,” Parrott said. “We’re still working. And I know the potential is here to be a team to contend with every year. We have the youth and the drive.”
Asked if he plans on being part of the equation for long enough to see it materialize, Parrott laughed.
“I really do,” he said. “I want to be part of this for a long time. The Northwest community has been so welcoming. The community is so supportive of this school and this program. The pieces are here to succeed.”
Courtesy photo above
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.
Visit http://lovedefinedbook.weebly.com for more information.
