Do you remember the days of summer little league? Heading to the local park to cheer on your kids, nieces, and nephews? While you still can find children running the bases at your local ball parks, many have found their way to competitive teams that travel not only across the state on a weekly basis, but also across the nation as early as coach pitch.
Do you remember the days of summer little league? Heading to the local park to cheer on your kids, nieces, and nephews? While you still can find children running the bases at your local ball parks, many have found their way to competitive teams that travel not only across the state on a weekly basis, but also across the nation as early as coach pitch.
Competitive baseball and softball teams have been making their mark on the sport for several years now. Athletes are competing on competitive traveling teams as well as their hometown team. Competitive traveling teams are typically made up of athletes from several communities or other states.
Preston’s own Taylan Starr is one of the many athletes in Okmulgee County that compete locally as well as on a national team.
Taylan, daughter of Eric and Patty Starr, has been a softball player since she was eight years old. The now seventh grader is a member of the Preston Pirates Junior High Softball Teams as well as the Tulsa Elite Knight 08 softball team.
Recently, Taylan found her name among the Top 100 softball players in the nation for the Class of 2026 according to extrainnings. com. The website ranks softball players across the nation based on their position and age. Taylan tied for the 25th spot at the shortstop/ outfield position.
The website was recently quoted saying Taylan “is a strong competitor on both sides of the ball.”
Taylan can be found at shortstop, on the pitchers’ mound, in the infield at 2nd or 3rd base, or out in the outfield. Though she says her favorite spot is on the mound.
“My favorite thing about competing is coming in clutch,” Taylan said.
She has been clocked in the mid-50s and according to extrainnings. com has “an effective change up”.
Her coaches have been quoted saying Taylan “has a great attitude, is a natural leader and is very coachable”.
Being coachable is something her father, Eric, can attest to. The softball standout started her career in coach pitch softball on the team coached by her father.
“This sport has always come easy for her,” Eric said. “She’s very athletic and determined when she’s out on the field.”
“Taylan thrives when she is competing,” her mom Patty said. “Softball is her passion, and she’s so special.”
During her short career, Taylan has competed across the nation traveling from California to Georgia to compete with different national teams. As a competitive athlete, teams are known to scout players and request them to play a game or two, or more, to help the team. This has allowed Taylan to compete against some of the best athletes in the nation in her age group.
“She’s played with the SoCal Choppers, the Beverly Bandits out of Indiana and the Georgia Impact,” Patty said.
During her 2020 season, Taylan competed at the USSSA National Tournament in Kansas City where she and the Tulsa Elite team came in runners up.
This season, Taylan is part of Tulsa Elite’s 14 and under team as a 13-year-old and though the season is ever changing, she says her team has their sights set on another National Tournament bid in July.
“I have a lot of support from my parents, family and coaches,” Starr said.
Taylan’s parents say they know she misses out on things competing at such a high level, but they often have conversations with her. However, she always stresses she loves competing and has no plans of slowing down.
