Athlete Profile – Chase Taylor

Chase Taylor, a senior at Lee’s Summit West, joined Inside Edge when he was 11 years old. Chase, who signed this fall to play baseball at the University of Central Missouri, looks back on his IE career and what playing here has meant to him.

You are one of the original IE players, joining us during our first season. Looking back, what has been your biggest lesson learned while playing here?

I would say that it’s important to focus on the value you bring to the team. With that, my biggest piece of advice is to learn how to play every position on the field, even if your future is pitching. Your value as a baseball player is way higher if you can play anywhere on the diamond. 

I would also share this advice: Surround yourself with people who want and care about the same things. Having friends interested in baseball or whatever hobbies you might have makes it much easier to get up and do it every day.

That’s great advice. You mentioned hobbies; do you have any outside of playing baseball?
Oh yeah. I played football all my life. I stopped this past year so I could focus on baseball. I also hunt and fish and do generally anything outside.

One of my best memories is a duck hunting story. My brother and I went out one night to set up our decoys and duck blind. We noticed a dog on the side of the road but didn’t think anything of it. When we came back the next morning, the dog was in the same spot. She didn’t have any tags or a collar so we took her with us. Now, she is my dog.

That is a great story. You also have a great recruiting story. Can you share a little about how you ended up signing to play at UCM?
The UCM coaches first saw me play on their field the summer going into junior year. I was the starting pitcher in a showcase game there, and after the game, the coaches complimented me on my outing.

Then, last summer, during an IE-only showcase there, I pitched 2 innings, and as I was walking off the mound, Coach Crooks called me over and extended my offer. I pretty much accepted on the spot.

Congratulations on going out there and earning it! Why did you pick UCM?
It comes down to their style of coaching. I love their approach to the game. Every player and coach is all on board with what they are trying to do and it produces winning baseball. I’m excited to get to be a part of the program.

We’re excited to watch you play there. In closing, can you share what it has meant to play for Inside Edge?
Playing at Inside Edge means that I will always have a coach or teammate that will support me mentally or physically, on or off the field. Without question, my favorite moments at IE were seeing my friends succeed and commit to playing college baseball.