Dec 6

Dick Taylor Hall of Fame Bio

DICK TAYLOR

HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2001

Dick Taylor has been a mainstay of fastpitch softball in the South Metro area for the past 46 years. Starting as a catcher at the age of 15, the stocky farm boy played in leagues located in Belle Plaine, Shakopee, and continued to play while defending our country during a service commitment. On his return to Minnesota, Dick played in Savage, Prior Lake, Eidswold, Bloomington (for the past 30 years), and Farmington (for the past 25 years).
“Raider,” as he is sometimes referred, has hit well over .300 for his career. He was a catcher for 25 years and began pitching in 1977. Rumor has it Raider actually stole a base earlier in his career. He still pitches one or two games per week, and his passion for the game he loves continues to burn.
Dick’s ability to organize and his belief in continuity has made him a great manager since 1968. He has managed the same team and has continued his same philosophy for 32 years. Add three young, inexperienced players each year to your core of veterans and this will enable fastpitch softball to continue to find new talent. He always said “We have to accept their inexperience. They will get better.”
His team has been in the state tournament nearly every year, and traveled from Vernon Center to Big Lake to Alexandria looking for another championship. Taylor has been like a hammer to his team; new nails are used, and sometimes the handle wears out, but the head of the hammer remains strong.
The guy with the gray beard can be seen at Northern Regional Tournaments. He has also traveled to the national tournament numerous times as a spectator. Dick has been a member of the State Fastpitch Committee since 1982, and a tournament director many times.
Dick has volunteered to pitch batting practice for the Lakeville Girls HS Fastpitch team. He throws for hours, getting himself in shape for each season.
Sayings like “Try the two-bounce throw” after a throw from the outfield hits the backstop, or “Set the alarm a little earlier,” after you have made a sleepy play are a few quips that will always stick in our minds. Players from his early years as manager could return now and still know his bunt and steal signals. That’s continuity!
Dick Taylor has been a solid foundation for fastpitch softball for most of his life. Fastpitch is his hobby, his passion, and one of the loves of his life.