Rhea Taylor’s dream of playing for the USA softball squad began four years ago, with nothing but a recruiting visit and a video. Missouri coach Ehren Earleywine, eager to convince Taylor to play in Columbia, wanted to show her just how good she could be.
So he showed Taylor a video of USA Softball shortstop Natasha Watley. The similarities between the two were striking; they both shared raw athleticism, an ability to fly around the bases and owned some power at the plate. Earleywine told Taylor she could be where Watley was in a few years.
“I thought there was a possibility,” Earleywine said. “I projected her to be a kid who had a really high ceiling in terms of talent level. But I just didn’t know the other part of it. There were just a lot of question marks to go along with it. I knew she’d have some talent, but I didn’t know if she would put in the effort and do her part of the deal in getting there”
After three years of record-breaking softball at Missouri, the two-time All American Taylor finally accepted an invitation to the 2011 USA Softball Women’s National Team, as announced by the Amateur Softball Association of America.
Taylor’s collegiate career includes holding the Missouri and the Big 12 all-time batting average and stolen base records, and she sits in the top-four all-time in the Big 12 in hits and runs scored. Taylor will attend tryouts from June 12 to 17 in Chula Vista, Calif., and she said she was excited for the opportunity.
“It’s every softballer’s dream,” Taylor said. “Ever since I really came to college, I came here for a purpose. That sole purpose was to be on the USA team or if not, get a tryout and then help my team win a national championship. I feel very strongly about that.”
Earleywine said he was relieved by the news, and that he and Taylor have had “several discussions” the last two years about the possibility of her being selected. The goal was so important to Taylor that she passed up an opportunity a couple of weeks earlier to be the second overall pick in the National Pro Fastpitch softball league.
“I wouldn’t say it was hard to do,” Taylor said. “I love softball, but I definitely see myself playing for the USA team or something of that sort. Even if I don’t make the USA team, there will still probably be a chance out there to at least try out for one of (the professional teams).”
Though she said her focus on winning a national championship is as strong as ever, Taylor did admit the anticipation of news on the tryouts crept into her mind during the first half of the season.
“Even though I can say I’m not necessarily thinking about (wanting an invite), it’s always in the back of your head,” Taylor said. “You want it so bad…and from inning to inning, you’re trying to head in that direction…it can be an issue in your every day play. I’m definitely glad it’s out of the way, and now I don’t have to be focused on it anymore.”
