Parker Robinson is like any other young baseballer.
He has big dreams, passion for the game and dedication to get better.
But Parker has something not a lot of young baseballers have.
Parker has Grandpa Jim.
Grandpa Jim is Jim Allen, a man who has been involved with baseball for over two decades at the top level.
After growing up in Phoenix AZ, Allen played baseball for Cal Western and signed with the LA Dodgers out of college.
From there, his exploits took him to all over the world, before finally landing a job with the San Diego Padres throwing batting practice.
Allen was with the Padres organisation for over 25 years.
Allen’s grandson Parker has recently been selected for the Australian U15 World Cup team, which will travel to Panama next month to compete against the best in the world.
Robinson credits Grandpa Jim for inspiring his passion for the game.
“My grandpa inspires me because he has been places and done things that I want to do with my baseball,” Robinson said.
“I love that he is still playing the game that he loves and still striking them out.”
72-year-old Grandpa Jim has battled stem cell therapy and a shoulder reconstruction over the past few years, but that hasn’t stopped him playing the game he loves.
“After his successful shoulder reconstruction he is back playing the game,” Allen’s daughter (and Parker’s mum) Suni Robinson said.
“He often calls or texts with his game stats and loves to brag to the boys (Parker and brother Chet) about his pickoffs!”
Parker and his brother Chet have been lucky enough to hear behind-the-scenes stories, including how Padres legend Tony Gwynn hit hundreds of balls off the tee every day, even on the last day of his professional career.
As the U15 World Cup approaches, Parker believes the wealth of experience Grandpa Jim has bestowed on him will enhance his experience.
“I feel very lucky to have someone so close to me with such incredible baseball experiences,” Parker said.
“I enjoy talking to him about his career and hearing his stories about some of the greats that he played with.”
Grandpa Jim is hoping to catch up with Parker and the rest of the U15 World Cup team at their training camp in Atlanta, and there’s no doubt more stories will be shared.