Parks was born in Fowler, Clinton County, Michigan, in November 1895. At the time of the 1900 Census, Parks was living with his grandparents, Jacob and Anne Drake, his parents Henry Albert and Eloise Parks in Dallas Township, Michigan. Both his father and grandfather were identified as farmers in the Census record. In 1910, he was living with his parents and brothers, Glen and Leon, in Greenbush Township, Clinton County, Michigan. His father was identified as a farmer working his own farm.\n', '

Parks attended the University of Michigan, where he played college baseball for the Wolverines\' Big Ten Conference championship teams of 1919 and 1920. He was recognized as the best pitcher in the Big Ten both years. He was also elected as the captain of the 1920 team and then re-elected as the captain of the 1921 Michigan team. However, he was declared ineligible soon after spring practice in 1921 for having played professional baseball. A Chicago newspaper published a photograph of Parks playing for the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League under the name Harold Brooks. After the exposure, Parks resigned from the team and from the captaincy. A student publication defended Parks and advocated a revised definition of the "professional" player, noting that Parks was in need of financial support and "should be allowed to play summer ball so that he may be able to finish his college course." During his time at the University of Michigan, Parks became a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.\n', '

After leaving the Michigan team, Parks signed to play with Bill Niesen\'s Pyotts in April 1921 and with the Detroit Tigers starting July 1, 1921.\n', '

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