Get on board with Dugout Chatter’s regular feature, The Final Pitch!
We are scouring the Internet and Social Media and keeping our ears to the street for the latest going on in the softball community.
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Here’s our TFP for Thursday, July 20, 2023:
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THE FINAL PITCH: TAYLOR SHUMAKER
Florida-committed 2024 CF Taylor Shumaker recently talked to Dugout Chatter about OC Batbusters-Stith, Esperanza High, Boulder IDT in Colorado, toughest competition, “being who I am,” Florida, finding a future occupation, writing, Mike Trout, “Chop Wood Carry Water,” Eminem, “Outer Banks,” “Fast and Furious” and baking.
THE FINAL PITCH Q&A
Name: Taylor Shumaker
Hometown: Fullerton, CA
High School: Esperanza High
Club Team: OC Batbusters-Stith 18U
Graduation Year: 2024
Height: 6-foot-0
Position: CF
Nickname: “Tay” (just my name shortened)
Instagram: @tayyshu
Honors: Three-time 1st Team All-League; three-time 1st Team All-CIF; three-tome 1st Team All-State; 18U Alliance national champion (2022); CIF champion (2021); two-time All-County; and three-time Scholar Athlete (4.0 GPA).
Tell us about your travel team/organization and how you became involved with them? I have played with the OC Batbusters with Toni Mascareanas, Katie Stith and Mike Stith since I was 12 (years old). Being with Coach Mike is an elite environment where I am constantly being pushed to be the best version of myself on and off the field. I have learned how to be a true professional and am constantly learning how to handle high-pressure situations.
Tell us about your high school team and how you did? My high school team this year was well-rounded and we got along well. We won the league and even though we didn’t get as far as we wanted to in CIF, we still battled.
Can you tell us about your recent experience at Boulder IDT in Colorado? Every year we go to the IDT and I believe it makes us a better team. We get good at-bats off of good pitching and get to test ourselves in the long-energy absorbing tournaments. We really get tested to our limits and have to stay focused in hard games.
Which player/team has been your toughest opponent and why? I think for travel ball, not to sound cliche, but we are our toughest opponents. When we play our game, we are a very tough team go beat. But when we let up and let other teams take advantage of our faults, we find gaps in our successes.
What have you faced/overcome in life that has made you the person you are today? I have faced a lot of adversity with my image and finding a strong support system. I was often picked on for being small and skinny and not until high school did I grow and start putting on muscle. I got picked on for trying really hard for my grades and athletic ability and I was always very competitive. I learned that being confident in my abilities and myself and not worrying about being popular would help me find people that enjoyed my company and didn’t make me feel less for simply being who I am.
Why did you choose to commit to Florida? I chose to commit to Florida because of the top tier coaching staff, student-athlete support and the overall gorgeous campus. The SEC is an amazing group of schools who not only always wants to compete, but is some of the best competition in the country. Florida’s academics are also versatile adapting to students needs and aspirations.
What areas are you interested in future occupations and why? I am still trying to figure out what I want to pursue in my future, which is one of the reasons I also picked Florida because there is such variety in what students can pursue.
What’s your favorite subject to study in school and why? My favorite subject is writing because I love being able to take any stance on a subject and put my own creative spin on it. Unlike subjects like math and science, there is no one right answer and different topics can have differing opinions and by listening to others my own perspective can either be strengthened of changed.
Who is your sports hero and why? Since I was a little girl growing up next to Angels stadium, I grew up admiring Mike Trout. He’s the reason why I grew such an interest in becoming an outfielder and why I have worn #27 since I was 8 (years old). He is a great outfielder and can also hit for power like me.
What’s your favorite book to read and why? My favorite book was recommended to me by one of my first hitting coaches, Allexis Bennett, when I thought that I had nothing else to learn. It’s called “Chop Wood Carry Water” (by Joshua Metcalf) and its about a boy who wants to become a Samurai warrior but his Sensei won’t let him practice with his sword until he has mastered patience. This book showed me that many want to become great at their craft, but don’t always want to do what is necessary to achieve it.
What’s the best hype song and why? My favorite hype song is “Without Me” by Eminem because it is upbeat and my high school team listens to it often.
What’s your favorite TV show to binge and why? My favorite TV show is “Outer Banks” because I like all of the characters and the adventure plot.
What’s your favorite movie and why? My favorite movies are the “Fast and Furious” series because they are all about competition and family.
Do you have a secret talent/skill? My secret talent is that I am a very-skilled baker and chef. During Covid, my mom and I started experimenting with new recipes and I started baking things like Macarons, cookies and even made homemade pasta noodles.
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NEWS & NOTES
***The USA Softball GOLD Nationals for 18U & 16U are July 17-23 in OKC. Wichita Mustangs (18U) and Oklahoma Pure Fastpitch 06 Premier-Melson (16U) are the defending champions. Follow the tournament online HERE.
***The PGF Nationals for 18U Premier, 18U Platinum, 16U Premier & 16U Platinum are July 22-29 in Orange County, CA. Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier (18U Premier), Rock Gold-Manetta (18U Platinum), Georgia Impact-Caymol (16U Premier) and Breakers Labs-Carter (16U Platinum) are the defending champions. Follow the tournament online HERE.
***Alliance Nationals for 14U & 12U from July 23-29 are at Grand Park, IN. Texas Bombers Gold-Malpass (14U) and Impact Gold 2K9 National (12U) are the defending champions. Follow the tournament online HERE.
***The Alliance Nationals for 18U & 16U from July 23-30 are at BLD Chino Hills/Rosetta Canyon/BLD Perris/BLD Riverside/La Puente Sports Complex, CA. OC Batbusters-Stith (18U) and Mojo 2023-Lunsford (16U) are the defending champions. Follow the tournament online HERE.
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SIGNING/COMMITMENT ALERTS
Vanessa Perez, 2023, MIF/OF, Power Surge Gold-Walling/:infield Christian High, CA, Liberty
So proud of @Surge18U athlete (MIF/OF) Vanessa Perez and her commitment to @LibertySB !!! #EARNED #JustGettingStarted @ExtraInningSB @SOCoPrepSports @CoastRecruits @IHartFastpitch @Los_Stuff @LegacyLegendsS1 @tagupSoftball @SBRRetweets @upnextrecruits pic.twitter.com/OLe25fZHW9
— Power Surge 18U Gold – Walling (@Surge18U) July 19, 2023
Julia Miller, 2024, MIF/3B, Jersey Outlaws Gold-Gaskill/Moorestown High, NJ, West Chester
I am so proud and blessed to announce my commitment to West Chester to continue my academic and athletic career! Thank you family and friends and @JOutlawsGold for their continuous support throughout my process! Thank you Coach Lokey and Lama for this awesome opportunity 💜💛🐏 pic.twitter.com/Xaal8lJTzN
— Julia Miller (@juliamiller_333) July 19, 2023
Ava Sanchez, 2024, C/OF, Bombers Gold American/Brennan High, TX, , Lamar
I am extremely blessed to announce that I will be continuing my academic and D1 softball career at Lamar University ❤️🖤 I would like to thank God for this amazing opportunity as well as my amazing family, friends, coaches, and teammates that helped me get here!! @LamarSoftball pic.twitter.com/c628KAF70D
— Ava Sanchez ‘24 (@avareignnnn) June 20, 2023
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HSOTD
Today’s Hype Song of the Day is …
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BTITW
Today’s Best Thing In The World is …
New behind the scenes look at ‘BARBIE’.
“Greta’s an incredible director. I think she’s an auteur.” – Margot Robbie
(Source: @Fandango) pic.twitter.com/XYXW8O5F4D
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 18, 2023
— Carlos Arias, Dugout Chatter (Follow Carlos on Twitter @Los_Stuff and Threads @los_stuff)
