dugan@observer-reporter.com

The rounds in baseball's amateur draft pass quicker than the painted center stripes on a highway as a speeding automobile zooms down the road. The picks in the 50-round draft even flip by faster than a Nate Parks stolen base.

But after being one of the most-feared base stealers in college baseball during his stellar four-year career at Virginia Tech, Parks was brought to a stop by the draft last June. He had heard all the talk from the scouts: They were interested in the speedy outfielder. He might be drafted as high as the 15th round. He had a future in pro baseball.

The only problem was the phone never rang in Parks' home in Roanoke, Va., during the two-day draft. The rounds passed but the scouts didn't call. They didn't even call after the draft to offer a lousy tryout.

"It just didn't happen. I kept waiting for something to happen, but the phone never rang," Parks recalled. "I kept thinking I was going to be picked up."

You can't blame Parks for thinking as much. After all, he was fifth in the nation last year with 39 stolen bases and batted .318 in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Coast Conference. In his career, Parks stole 99 bases and had an on-base percentage of better than .400. When you put up those numbers in the ACC, you usually head straight to professional baseball.

Parks, however, waited out the year but didn't hear again from the scouts. He didn't even get a phone call from independent teams, except for the Wild Things.

General manager Ross Vecchio saw Parks (5-11, 180) play last spring at North Carolina State and was intrigued. Parks fit the Wild Things' mold of speedy outfielders and was offered a contract during the offseason.

Parks is battling for a roster spot in a crowded outfield - Chris Sidick and Matt Sutton are returning starters and Mike Butia and Adam Heffron have extensive pro experience - but, so far, the rookie switch-hitter has impressed during spring training.

"His biggest asset is going to be his speed," manager Greg Jelks said. "I don't know if he will hit the way he did in college, but he's one of the three fastest players on the team."

Jelks admits that Parks is "on the bubble" to make the team because the current plan is to have only four outfielders on the roster when the Wild Things' regular season begins Sunday at Chillicothe. Parks knows his performance in Washington's four exhibition games, beginning Thursday against the United States Military All-Stars (7 p.m.), could decide his future.

However, it wouldn't be wise to count out Parks. He seems to make a habit of beating the odds.

Parks didn't play football until ninth grade, yet he was an all-state wide receiver and kick returner - he ran back five kicks for touchdowns - as a junior at Glenvar High School, which is in the smallest classification in Virginia. Parks was prepared to accept a football scholarship to James Madison, but after batting .530 as a senior he decided his future was in baseball.

Parks comes from a family that is used to beating the odds. His brother, Kurtis Parks, is a singer and pianist who received national exposure when he appeared on "American Idol" in 2005.

"For some reason, I've always flown under the radar," Parks said. "I got a little upset when I didn't get my name called (in the draft) after the seasons I had and all the hype, but I'm more than glad to be here. I'll just play hard and see what happens."

Extra bases

The Wild Things acquired shortstop Jeff Beachum from Winnipeg of the independent Northern League in exchange for a player to be named. Beachum sat out last season after playing for four teams in the New York Yankees' system in 2006. He played at Middle Tennesse State and set the Sun Belt Conference record for career hits (323). ... There are 32 players in camp. The roster must be trimmed to 24 by opening day.

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