“A Marathon of Growth: The Power of the word “Yet”
In early 2020, not much was certain for our family. We were in the process of moving from Lock Haven back to Ohio, but we weren’t even sure where yet. Our house was on the market, but with the COVID lockdown in full effect, we couldn’t even show the house. Schools were closed, and there were no football players for me to coach. Meanwhile, Heather’s business was perfectly fit for remote work, and her clients continued with remote education, so she didn’t experience any slowdown.
A Blessing in Disguise
So, what did that leave me with? Time. Time to be a dad! Chloe, over the previous couple of years, had tried everything from tee-ball and gymnastics to dance, guitar, basketball, and even horseback riding. You name it, and she wanted to give it a shot. Unfortunately, my schedule as a college football coach had kept me from being as involved as I wanted to be. In my opinion, I was an absentee dad. But then came the blessing (and curse) of COVID—everything slowed down. The pandemic gave Chloe and me the chance to bond like never before.
We spent countless hours walking and talking around the circular road in our neighborhood, usually discussing what kind of dog she wanted (a conversation that eventually led to us adopting Max, who is now our four-year-old dog). During this time, I also took up distance running, something I had despised as an athlete. As a former All-American football player, the only distances I was used to running were measured in 60 yards or less. But in November of 2020, I completed a MARATHON—with Chloe running the final mile with me.
Chloe’s Dream: A Pitcher’s Path
Amid all of this, Chloe decided she wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps and become a pitcher, just like Heather Taynor, who had been a college pitcher. At the time, I had no idea how to coach her, but I knew it was time to learn. Heather was beyond excited about Chloe’s decision, and as we were preparing to move to Lewis Center, Ohio, she volunteered us to coach a hybrid kid/coach-pitch team in the Olentangy youth league. The team was called “Shorty’s,” after a phenomenal pizza spot in the area.
Though the level of play was still developing, it was Chloe’s first opportunity to pitch. Even though she was one of the youngest on the team, she held her own. And just when we thought we might get a break, Heather’s enthusiasm led us to sign up to coach a 9U team in the Ohio Stingrays organization—even though Chloe was only 8 years old at the time, and tryouts were happening before the Shorty’s season even ended.
The Moment That Changed Everything
It was during one of the last games for Shorty’s that everything changed. We had invited a 9U pitcher to a tryout, and she was a force to be reckoned with. She threw harder than Chloe and could hit every spot with relative precision. By this point, Chloe was still walking about half of the batters she faced. I noticed Chloe watching the tryout, and I could see the look on her face. She seemed defeated.
We took a walk to the outfield and sat down against the centerfield fence. Chloe was in tears. When I asked her what was wrong, she said, “That girl is just so much better than me—she can hit every spot. I can’t do that.” I asked her to repeat it. She hesitated, so I asked her again. “That girl is just so much better than me. I can’t do that.” I asked her to say it one more time, but this time, I added one small instruction: “Add the word ‘yet’ at the end.”
“I can’t do that YET.”
That was a pivotal moment. I told her that if it was important enough for her to be devastated over, it was important enough to put the work in to be the best. That day marked the start of the most rewarding time of my life—helping my daughter become the pitcher she wanted to be and developing her as a leader. The power of the word “yet” helped turn her defeat into the foundation of a growth mindset. With that mindset, anything was possible.
The Work Behind the Success
Over the last few years, Chloe’s work ethic has been nothing short of amazing. She’s dedicated time in the pitching circle, in the basement, in the garage, on the sidewalk, at the cage, in barns, on practice mounds, and in the weight room. It didn’t matter where—just give her a ball and an opportunity, and she would give it her all. She adopted a “one more than you” attitude, and that dedication has far outshined any stat, win, or championship she has achieved.
As someone who’s spent over 25 years coaching football, I can honestly say that if I could bottle Chloe’s work ethic and persistence, I’d be the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) as a coach. Her drive is a gift.
A Command Pitcher and a Growth Mindset
Chloe is a pitcher who focuses on command, control, and spin, throwing with enough velocity to succeed without needing to overpower her opponents to win. She currently plays for the Indiana Magic Gold and spent the last two years with the Beverly Bandits. Chloe has been blessed to be a critical part of some of the most elite pitching staffs at her age; she has always embraced the word “yet” and the power of a growth mindset to play her role as an integral part of the team.
Since that day by the fence, when Chloe played for Shorty’s, she has developed into a true command pitcher at the highest level. She has been surrounded by incredible teammates, and together, they’ve achieved 10 PGF (Premier Girls Fastpitch) glass trophies and 22 tournament championships or runner-up finishes.
The Power of “Yet” in Chloe’s Journey
Chloe Taynor’s growth mindset has led her to an incredible 107-21 pitching record since 2020. Her impressive 70-5 pitching record against same-age opponents (2012 birth year) and 761 strikeouts against just 111 walks are a testament to the work she has put in.
Having been around travel softball for the past four years, I’ve seen firsthand how emotions can run high, and sometimes the passion for our daughters’ success can lead to silliness or selfishness. But we are all incredibly lucky to be surrounded by passionate people and to have the chance to mentor such an exceptional group of young women who play this beautiful game.
Chloe’s story is a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and a growth mindset powered by the word “yet,” anything is possible and the journey has just begun. This process is a MARATHON and just like the marathon Chloe finished with me – I promise to finish this one with her!!!
Chloe Taynor – IMG Rogers 12U Recap
12U Season is a Wrap. #GOLDBLOODED
The 12U season is in the books — and what an awesome ride it was.
Chloe was fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing group of talented teammates, coaches who truly invested in the team’s development, and families who made this insane travel ball lifestyle not just doable — but incredibly enjoyable.
As a team, we were challenged by some of the top competition in the country on a regular basis. We expanded beyond the elite PGF Super Select events to include the best of Alliance Fastpitch and Triple Crown Sports, with tournament stops in Arkansas, Tennessee, Kansas City, Colorado, and a National Championship Series in our relative own backyard in Indiana.
Over the past three travel seasons, Chloe has proven herself to be a model of consistency:
✅ 32 wins in 10U
✅ 33 wins in 11U
✅ 34 wins in 12U
She’s earned a reputation as a tough competitor — dependable, focused, and steady under pressure — especially against top-tier competition. This season though – was just a little different. With our expanded schedule, Chloe faced not only the best from the Midwest and South but also squared off with powerhouse teams from California, Texas, and beyond. She responded with several big-time wins, a few close losses, and a ton of growth.
She finished the season 34-6, with 3 saves and a 1.56 ERA. She also threw 57 innings and nearly 800 pitches across the final two tournaments while battling through back and ankle injuries. And while she’s earned a short break from the circle, she was already watching the Alliance National Championship Game — scouting pitch sequences against future opponents, including a few new rivals from OC Batbusters (CA).
Dad’s Top 10 Moments from the 2024–2025 Season:
- Diamond State Invitational (AR)
🥎 One pitch away from a perfect game in a 7-0 complete game shutout vs. Texas Blaze United — one of Chloe’s most dominant performances of the year. - Diamond State Invitational (AR)
🥎 Gritty 2-1 complete game win over MOJO Raysor — a classic pitcher’s duel that Chloe controlled from start to finish. - Bandit Power 80 (KY)
🥎 Chloe and EK combined for three straight wins over Beverly Bandits Ault, Finesse Wright, and TN Mojo West, pushing the team all the way to the championship game. - Alliance Regional Qualifier (IN)
🥎 Complete game 4-1 win vs. Finesse Wright, highlighted by a 15-pitch stretch of nothing but drop curves — leading to 3 straight strikeouts and total command of the circle. - Alliance Regional Qualifier (IN)
🥎 Combined no-hitter (with Katie) in the Championship Game vs. Bombers Premier – Doolin — a dominant way to earn the title and punch a ticket to Alliance Nationals. - TN Mojo Invitational PGF Super Select (TN)
🥎 Quarterfinals: Complete game shutout win, 5-0, vs. Birmingham Thunderbolts — a statement performance to kick off bracket play. - TN Mojo Invitational PGF Super Select (TN)
🥎 Semifinals: Chloe threw another complete game shutout, 5-0, vs. TN Fury Platinum, helping secure our third PGF glass trophy of the year. - Colorado Sparkler – Triple Crown Sports (CO)
🥎 Clutch 2-1 complete game win over OC Batbusters Capek (CA) — sealing a spot in the Gold Bracket in one of the nation’s most competitive events. - Alliance National Championship Series (IN)
🥎 4-0 start to the tournament. Chloe threw 22 1/3 innings, allowing just 2 earned runs .537 ERA, with marquee wins over:
- Impact Gold National (TX) (2024 Sparkler Champs)
- Aces National (AR)
- Corona Angels McCullough (CA)
- Firecrackers Brashear (CA)
- Alliance Nationals Championship Series (IN)
🥎 Chloe was named to the All-Tournament Team for her outstanding performance — joined by her battery mate Rylei Rogers. A well-earned recognition for a dominant week on the national stage. Chloe Taynor by the #’s – 5 Chiropractor visits, 31 ⅔ innings pitching, 4 pitching wins, 7 team wins, 472 pitches – and 1 gutty, resilient, unforgettable finish to 12U
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