Dreams Can Become a Reality

“Dreams can become a reality,” is how Reggie Taylor expressed it.  Reggie will finally see his hard work and dedication for the sport of baseball come to reality in the next two weeks. 

Reggie went to a baseball showcase for major league scouts on last Friday, at the University of South Carolina. After attending many camps and try-outs since his playing days at Claflin University, Reggie went out to prove that he has the ability to continue his boyhood dream.  Taylor impressed the scout from the Kansas City Royals enough for him to extend Reggie an invitation to their instructional league for two weeks, in Surprise AZ.  Depending on how Taylor continues to impress the scouts, he will be invited to spring training in February 2010.  Reggie is the first baseball player to be invited to an instructional league, for a major league team from Claflin University.

Reggie, arrived on the Claflin University campus, in 2006, from Spartanburg Methodist College, where he saw limited action, during his freshman and sophomore years. Determined not to give up on his dream of playing professional baseball, Taylor asked Coach Randall to help with his development, and possibly get an opportunity to play in the major leagues. Coach Randall said, “Reggie has power to all fields, a strong throwing arm, as well as decent speed.  More importantly was his work ethic.  Reggie would be one of the first ones at practice and one of the last ones to leave.  He always asked questions on how he could improve? And he worked tirelessly, on those areas. Reggie played in 30 games before he broke his hand, which ended his senior season. At that time he had a .378 batting average, with 45 hits, 10 doubles, 22 RBI, and 39 runs scored. “Taylor has had the advantage of having two supportive parents who missed very few games while Reggie played at Claflin University.  They also provided Reggie with the resources needed to become a well-rounded person.  I commend his parents on a job well done. It could not have happened to a more deserving young man.”

Reggie will be drilled on the fundamentals of the game, time management, and taking care of his body for the next two weeks, in Arizona.  If he continues to impress, he will be offered a contract and an invitation to spring training. Randall feels that “Reggie will progress fast, because he has been drilled on the fundamentals of the game here at Claflin, and I wish him all the best.”