WAGS Work: Sydney Parr Lee

The WAGS Work Series aims to show our readers that we are more than the stereotypes you might be familiar with--we're creative, hard-working, driven, and willing to do whatever it takes to make this lifestyle work. We also hope to inspire women in all walks of life to get creative and think outside the box when it comes to working and creating the lives of their dreams. Please reach out to the women featured in this series if you have questions or want to learn more about what they do.

TELL US WHO YOU ARE, HOW YOU GOT INTO THE BASEBALL WORLD, AND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU  AND YOUR HUSBAND.  

I am the former starting center fielder for the University of Arkansas softball team. The sport has always been a part of me and a game I love so much.

I started getting into the baseball side after my freshman year of college. I interned for the MLB Network for 2 months during the summer working alongside the on-air talent. It was the most incredible experience.

After my sophomore year of college, once I got done with the season, I interned with the Mets MLB team, and worked within player development/community engagement, and enjoyed that aspect of an MLB team. It was without a doubt a fulfilling experience, and I had the opportunity to meet and work alongside some great people.

With that being said, after those two internships, I knew after college I wanted to work within baseball somehow, someway. Right after my final season playing for the University of Arkansas and getting my degree in journalism, I started my own business — Sydney Parr Player Development, in which I gave 45 individual softball lessons per week, traveled the country putting on camp and clinics, and worked with athletes on the mental side of the sport. Within a year and a half, I gave thousands of lessons, put on over 100 camps and clinics, and was able to impact 5,000+ young girls' lives.

About 4 months ago, I was offered a job of a lifetime working for a sports agency. I took the opportunity the second it was presented to me, as I have a love and passion for baseball, love working for others, and am passionate about helping others to succeed on and off of the field. I have been working for Frontline Athlete Management located in Little Rock, Arkansas for four months now. I'm incredibly passionate about it and love what I do and have even more room to grow and pursue.

My husband and I met a month before college as he too played baseball at the University of Arkansas. He was drafted in 2018, our sophomore year, to the Washington Nationals as a left-handed pitcher. Fall of my Junior year he proposed to me in the most thoughtful and beautiful way. It was one of the best days of my life, second to our wedding day. We were engaged for two years, while I finished out my time playing for Arkansas and he was still playing in the minors.

Our relationship has been a lot of time apart, but we make it work and it's the life we live. We got married last year on October 24th and had the best wedding. We've been married almost a year, in about a week, and it's been a fast and incredible first year of marriage.

Evan had an insanely good season this year and I am fortunate to be able to support him and be by his side as he grinds through pursuing his dream. He is also one heck of a man and husband, wholesome and the nicest guy you could ever come across.

WAS YOUR SUCCESS IMMEDIATE OR DID IT TAKE TIME?

As for my own business, it took off immediately, capitalizing off my playing career at the University of Arkansas and giving back to the girls, as I was once in their shoes, it has been incredibly fulfilling. After a couple of months of gaining traction on social media, word of mouth to the fantastic job I do, and how much I care and do everything the right way, I started traveling across the country to work.

As for my job with FrontlineAM, I've been working for four months and am moving and shaking. I'm off to a great start and already am successful.


HOW DO YOU BALANCE WORKING FOR A SPORTS AGENCY, RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS, AND LIVING THE BASEBALL LIFE?

By having good time management. I am good at compartmentalizing each aspect of my life and balancing out my attention to each area. It's not always easy but I make it work. As it's all busy and I have a lot on my plate, I thrive when it's this way. I'm extremely blessed to be able to do what I love with both jobs and have the flexibility at times to go see my husband and spend time with him. I'm truly grateful.

HOW DOES WORKING IMPACT YOUR LIFE PERSONALLY, AND FOR THE TWO OF YOU?

It's amazing that we are both able to do what we love and live out our dreams and support each other while doing it. I love what I do both sports agency and owning my own player development business, As for many it's critical I work because A) I want to and have my own passions, goals, and aspirations but also B) it's a way to support our life while Evan grinds through the minors. I love working and having my own life and goals I strive every day to succeed, it's a part of me and who I am, and I love it.

WHAT’S A TYPICAL WORKDAY LIKE FOR YOU IN THE SEASON? IN THE OFF-SEASON?

No matter what time of the year it is, my workdays all look the same. I typically get up at 5am and workout 6-7 then work 8-4 and then leave work and give softball lessons from 4:30-8:30. It's nice that I have some flexibility to be able to travel and see Evan and be with him for spurts in the season.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HARDEST PART SO FAR? WHAT’S BEEN THE BEST?

Nothing has been necessarily hard. Spending time apart is obviously not the most fun as we would both love to spend our time together. We enjoy the life that we live and can't complain at all. It's all such a blessing and we are so fortunate for everything we have been blessed with and the opportunities we have had both past, present, and in the future.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER WAGS WHO HOPE TO DO WHAT YOU DO?

You can create the life that you want. It's all yours. All you have to do is work hard, have a vision, understand how you're going to execute that vision, and then go make it happen. Having your own life, goals, and aspirations is a beautiful thing.

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE / HOW CAN WE KEEP UP WITH YOU?

Instagram: Sydneyparr7

Twitter: @SydneyParr

Facebook: Sydney Parr Lee

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WAGS Work: Mallory Weber

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WAGS Work: Elizabeth Holloway