Players had to be recommended for the showcase by a coach. Of more than 4,000 applicants, the freshman infielder was one of 264 players from the U.S., Canada and seven other countries to be invited to the event.
And it’s not her first time to be there. A year ago as an eighth-grader, she became the youngest player to be invited. After that event, she was asked to play on the U.S. team in the 2011 World Cup softball tournament, which will be held in The Netherlands.
Most of her U.S. teammates will already be in college.
“She’s got a big stick and a cannon for an arm.” said Queen of Diamonds Showcase organizer Kurt Whiteside. “She’s so young yet, but she’s definitely not out of her element. She’s got the talent and the skills to play with the big boys. I have no doubt that she’ll be playing for a major university but, being that she’s still a freshman, that will be down the road a bit.
“It’s a shame she has to wait so long. She has all the tools to play at that level right now.”
Taylor says she’s been playing softball since she was 5 years old.
“I started playing T-ball at Madison, then I got started in select softball when I was 10 and played for Sudden Death Softball here in Middletown,” she said.
She’s since played for Columbus-based Buckeye Heat 95, the Ohio Hawks and currently the Miami Valley Xpress. Fellow Madison freshmen Rachel Ward, Peyton Whiteman and Katie Sturgis are her Xpress teammates.
Mohawks senior pitcher and former showcase attendee Hannah Kendrick plays on the Xpress Gold team.
“This means a lot to have been selected to be a part of the showcase, even though I’m still only a freshman,” Taylor said. “Usually they don’t even give you a look until you’re at least a junior. I’ve worked hard to get where I am now, and I’m very proud to have been chosen.”
Whiteside said an estimated 300 college representatives will be on hand for the showcase, but because of Taylor’s age, they will not be permitted to speak to the softball standout directly.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2851 or jbombatch@coxohio.com.
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