“Our game in the bush.” That’s how the late Allan Parrott described country baseball – a game he championed, nurtured, and loved with every fibre of his being. Photos: Supplied.
Devoted family man, steadfast friend, baseball stalwart, champion of the underdog, actor and comedic genius – in any company, Allan Parrott stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Allan’s lanky frame and huge presence gave him a natural advantage, but it was his larger-than-life passion and personality that made him a giant in so many fields.
A life member of Baseball NSW, Allan served the game as a player, coach and manager, and was a mentor to young players coming through the ranks.
When family, friends, and colleagues gathered to farewell the 73-year-old, many wore their baseball caps as a mark of respect, and a foundation was launched in his honour.
Allan believed in opening doors for others. Over decades of service, he created opportunities for hundreds of regional athletes and the Allan Parrott Baseball Foundation will continue that legacy.
Allan coached in the Illawarra and was instrumental in the formation of the Illawarra Flame, taking part in the NSW State League for several years.
He was a NSW Country coach from 1998 to 2023, winning several National Provincial Titles and taking teams to Europe to contest national tournaments in Germany, Belgium, France, and the Czech Republic.
He was the driving force behind the Australian Provincial Cup competition, set up so country regions around Australia could contest a national title.
Over decades of service as a coach, mentor, and life member of Baseball NSW, Allan Parrott created opportunities for hundreds of athletes – not just in Australia, but internationally.
Allan coached the NSW Country team to several of these titles held in venues around Australia. He was also the coach of Australian Provincial when they competed in the Claxton Shield.
Likewise, he led NSW Country Baseball to countless series wins and this is where his real passion for ‘’baseball in the bush’’ came from.
When Australian Provincial selected teams to tour Japan, New Zealand and Guam, Allan was the natural choice as head coach.
Fittingly, his last hurrah was with the team that had the largest place in his heart, NSW Country, and their tour of Europe in 2023.
Beyond baseball, Allan had an impact on countless lives through his work in the Eurobodalla, where he lived for many years with his wife Mary and children Kate and Tim, at Tuross Head, and taught at Batemans Bay High School.
In his role at WorkAbility, a disability employment support service, his gift of the gab got many of his clients their first job in a depressed South Coast employment market.
He took delight in their successes and helped showcase them to the wider community through his active involvement in the Eurobodalla Employee of the Year and Business of the Year awards.
Batemans Bay businessman Jim Johns remembers him as having a heart of gold.
“Allan was community spirit personified. Whether donning a Santa suit for Arches’ Christmas Party for the elderly, where his cheeky humour had the room roaring with laughter, or helping hand out heartfelt gifts to every guest, Allan made people feel seen, valued, and young again,” he said.
“But his generosity didn’t end there. Whatever the occasion – be it a community fundraiser, a business awards night, or a local celebration – Allan was always the first to raise his hand. Not because he craved the spotlight, but because he genuinely cared. He gave of himself without fanfare, without ego, and with a humility that was as rare as it was admirable.”
Allan grew up in Merrylands with the ubiquitous outside dunny and mulberry tree in the backyard. His brother Ray remembered how a baseball glove from a Canadian uncle sparked Allan’s lifelong love of baseball.
In his final year at school, Allan flirted with a career as an actor. He later studied at NIDA and won a NSW supporting actor award. He was offered a role in the TV series Patrol Boat but turned it down to study at university.
Nevertheless, his countless jokes and endless stories made him a lifelong entertainer.
Allan with his family, wife Mary, son Tim and daughter Kate.
Allan’s daughter Kate Rooney paid tribute to her dad and the love of his life – her mum Mary.
“You and Dad shared 50 extraordinary years of marriage – a partnership built on deep love, unwavering commitment, and a soul mate connection that was clear to us all. We know this loss is profound, but our hope is that you find peace, joy, and happiness in the years ahead and until you meet Dad again. We will be with you each day to make sure that happens.
“To the baseball community – thank you for coming together to remember and celebrate Dad. He loved this sport, and he loved most of the people in it. We know how much of an impact he had on so many of you, and our hope is that his legacy continues – by keeping pathways into sport and baseball open for everyone, not just those with money or connections. That was his belief, and it’s something we can all honour him by carrying forward.”
The Allan Parrott Baseball Foundation has been established to support young baseball players from regional and rural parts of NSW and beyond. Its mission is to provide financial assistance and opportunities for talented country players who often face barriers due to distance, funding, and access to development programs. You can donate here.
