After years of hard work, Jake Taylor, a senior at Good Counsel High School in Maryland, signed his National Letter of Intent this month to play for Radford University. Taylor, who has been taking lessons with Baseball Factory since he was nine-years-old, was ecstatic after signing the official documents. “It was the best feeling!  Something I have worked for, dreamed of and I finally did it and was just so happy,” said Taylor.

 

Taylor has participated in a range of events from Baseball Factory’s Cape Cod Pro Weekly Training to several Team One Showcases. When asked which event was the most rewarding, Taylor responded, “The one that helped me out the most was the fielding camp [Baseball Factory’s Infield Accelerated Training Weekend].”

 

When Taylor first began participating in Baseball Factory events in 2002, he was “just looking to be a better player/hitter. I didn’t really think about college until later.” 

 

Taylor’s “first impression of Baseball Factory was fun. As I got older the lessons were hard work and sometimes exhausting, especially when I was struggling as a hitter.  It was worth the many blisters on my hands.”

 

The first baseman and right-handed pitcher is “happy, relieved, and relaxed,” now that he has completed the college recruitment process. 

 

“I have heard from quite a number of schools over the last few years.  I enjoyed going to different campuses and trying to figure out what I was looking for in a college. I knew I had to find somewhere that I would enjoy living but was also looking for a baseball program where I felt I fit in. Finding Radford was a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Just by chance one of the coaches decided to go to a showcase event in Carey, NC, where I happened to be that weekend. Things just took off from there.” 

 

In late August, just as Taylor was headed off to the UNC-Charlotte for a camp, Radford made him an offer.

 

Outside of baseball, Taylor also plays both football and basketball. “I enjoy playing intramural basketball and wiffle ball with my friends. My friends always try to out hit me and it’s funny to see them swing because most of them are lacrosse players,” said Taylor.

 

Taylor hopes to have a shot at the pros, but also plans to pursue a degree in history. 

 

As Taylor reflects on his experiences at Baseball Factory, he recalls what he has gained as an athlete. “Besides becoming a better player, I have developed a personal friendship with my hitting coach, Matt [Schilling].  He has always been very supportive, encouraging and I value his opinion.”

 

When asked what advice he would give fellow baseball players, Taylor responded, “Give each game your best but don’t ever forget to have fun.”

 

All of us at Baseball Factory wish Jake the best of luck as he continues his baseball career at Radford University next fall.  It has been great to see him develop over the past eight years and we expect great things from him in the future.