Shortstop Isaac Parra was once a GateWay Gecko baseball player, but he is now heating up the Banana Ball League as #2 for The Firefighters. This Gold Glove winner is still making GateWay proud, and we got a chance to check in with him on his final leg of the Banana Ball Season to ask a few questions. Read on to hear about his experience and GateWay and his recent hot streak!
Where are you from and where did you go to high school?
I am from Los Angeles, CA, I moved to Phoenix, AZ, when I was 9-years-old, and the high school I attended was Tolleson Union High School in Tolleson, AZ.
Why did you choose to go to GateWay?
I chose Gateway Community College because I met Rob Shabansky [GateWay Athletic Director and Baseball Coach] when I was 14-years-old at a baseball camp, and by the time I was a senior in high school I was not sure what college I was going to play baseball at, and Rob offered me a scholarship. I realized that community college was the smart route to go to because of how it is affordable for hard-working, middle-class parents like mine, and the classroom settings are way more intimate.
Baseball-wise it allowed me to mature physically and mentally. The coaches were all great with the resources we had.
What are some of your favorite memories playing baseball at GateWay?
My favorite memories are of Rob Shabansky caring and loving every single one of his players unconditionally, and forming not only elite ball players, but elite human beings.
Another memory I have playing at GateWay has to be all the teammates I played with, and especially those teammates who I played with at the JUCO World Series National Championship game in 2015/16.
I also won the National Gold Glove as the best shortstop in the nation for JUCO in 2016.
Why would you recommend GateWay to others?
I would recommend GateWay to others because of the family-style setting that they create. You don’t have to worry about the issues that bigger schools have to go through. All the staff members there were a great help in navigating all their students.
How did your path take you to the Firefighters?
My last year of college was 2017, and I moved on from my playing career, got married and started a family. In 2020, I became a full-time baseball/softball instructor; fast-forward 3 years, in 2023 I itched to play baseball again but knew that my hopes for MLB weren’t there anymore. The coach for the Savannah Bananas used to be the coach for South Mountain Community College, and so I reached out to him. They were just starting the Firefighter team so they were looking for an infielder, but also someone who was “fans first.” Fans first means someone who puts kids first, and is someone for the people. From my baseball/softball instructing, it helped me show them that I am a fans first player.
What’s it like playing in this fun new league? How is it different?
It’s definitely a culture shock coming from playing traditional baseball to Banana Ball. But ultimately this league is a league that allows elite ball players who didn’t fulfill their dreams of playing in the MLB a chance to still show their talents, along with making a difference for the fans who we encounter. We are playing in front of 50,000 fans in one day. We play 2-3 games in a series, so we end up playing in front of 100,000-150,000 fans in just one weekend.
What’s your signature play – the slap bat?
Right now, yes, that’s what I’m known for in Banana Ball. It’s in honor of my wife, who was a slap hitter in college. She played one year Benedictine in Mesa, and one year at Phoenix College before transferring to playing at D2 Purdue Northwest in Indiana. [Check it out at https://www.instagram.com/isaacparra2_/reel/DKe9DfyOuxc/.]
What are your highlights of your career thus far?
I think my career is going great so far! After taking a break from 2017-2023—and still holding it down for myself—that is what I’m proud of. I’m also proud of all the memories Banana Ball has allowed me to be part of and make.
What advice would you give others looking to play professional baseball?
If this is something that you want to do and make a living, please consider Banana Ball. Playing in MLB stadiums and in front of all those fans, plus making memories of a lifetime, it’s something you can’t explain. If anyone is interested, please let me know!
Find Parra at https://www.instagram.com/isaacparra2_/. The Firefighters and Banana Ball are online at @thefirefighters and @bananaball. See photos of Isaac at GateWay's Facebook.
