Certified minister Parmley credits baseball success to faith
Ian Parmley catches fly balls in practice. Photo: Tristan Garnett
By: Tristan Garnett
Canadian Baseball Network
Dunedin, Fla. — Ian Parmley says his success as a professional baseball player is out of his hands. He attributes everything that happens in his career to his faith in God.
Parmley, who was born in Snohomish, Wash., grew up in a Christian household, and attended a small evangelical church in his community where his father was involved in both the music and youth ministries.
In an interview at the Blue Jays’ Bobby Mattick Training Center, the outfielder recalled being “saved” and committing himself to God at a very young age.
“I was probably six or seven years old,” said Parmley. “Growing up, my parents (were) a really big influence on me. They instilled great work ethic and loving our God.”
Parmley, who played at Liberty University, was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh round of the 2012 MLB draft.
Liberty University is near to his heart. He describes it as being America’s biggest private Christian academic institution and also where his faith was reignited.
A couple of years ago Parmley reached another milestone in his faith journey when he became a certified minister.
He officiated at the wedding of a close friend. “He asked me to do so. That was really fun to be able to do that for him.”
On the baseball diamond the 26-year-old has always believed that his skills and abilities are gifts given to him by his Saviour.
Splitting his time between the class-A Dunedin Blue Jays and the class-AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats last season, Parmley finished with a combined batting average of .228 with 22 runs batted in.
If he never plays another professional ball-game, the fifth-year player says he would still be happy and thankful of God.
“I’ve already been blessed so much with my abilities and my opportunities here, in college. Now it’s just using what I’ve been given and using it as long as I can and when it’s over I have no regrets."