Only fools dare challenge Taylor Brotemarkle’s arm. And they only do it once. (Jackie Saia photo)
There is a rock, in the middle of the water, and on that rock, in the middle of an island, is a prairie.
It sits in a place called Cow Town — by some of the locals, at least — and in the middle of the joint, there’s a softball diamond.
You’ll find it just down the street from the high school and the grocery store, across from the trailer park where wayward foul balls often ding off the roofs.
At least until they get the modern backstop put up, which they’ve been talking about for two decades.
For most of the spring, even on the sunny days, the breeze comes gusting across the outfield grass, then shoots in and slaps the infielders in the back of the head before ending its run by dumping sand in the eyes of Wolf fans.
Washington state always starts spring sports too early, so players, coaches, fans, even wandering writers wearing shorts in 42-degree weather, endure the rain, the wind, the spine-tingling cold, just to be part of one of the most successful sports programs in Coupeville High School history.
It takes tough young women, committed young women, to prosper in these conditions.
But to truly be a star?
To seize every day with a smile stretching from one side of the field to the other?
To bound with glee every time the Wolves charge onto the diamond, regardless of score or Mother Nature’s fickle moods?
To hit like you’re trying to rip the hide off the ball?
To run with wild abandon, but also cunning and precision?
To launch lasers from deep in the hole at shortstop, each throw erasing would-be hits and sending your foes trudging back to the dugout muttering under their breath?
Then to do it again, and again, and even again, for four years, your voice rising above the roar of the wind, exhorting your teammates to believe, to dig deep, to play as if every moment was precious?
That takes something special.
Maybe it’s something you’re born with. Maybe it’s something you learn over time.
But whatever the magic mojo is, whatever the secret spark may be, it lives and it burns brightly in Taylor Brotemarkle.
She is that something special, that someone special.
The kids love her. (Kim Brotemarkle photo)
There has been a splendid run of shortstops in Coupeville, all-time greats such as Katrina McGranahan, Madeline Roberts, McKayla Bailey, and Chelsea Prescott, and many more.
Taylor, who was also a fireball on the volleyball court before graduating from CHS this past spring, may be the most purely-entertaining to ever hold down the position for the Wolves, however.
Her love for softball, her joy at being on center stage, her burning desire to be a crowd pleaser, a rock-solid teammate, and a game-changer, was infectious.
Skill carries you to a certain level. Hard work takes you to another.
But to reach the pinnacle, to leave behind a memory which will last long after your body has left the diamond and moved on to new adventures, you have to own a unique spark.
“I would pay to watch her play the game,” you think, even though you know CHS doesn’t charge for spring sports.
So you amend it to “Well, then, I would endure Mother Nature and all her shenanigans to watch her play the game,” and, in a lot of ways, that ultimately means more.
“I win, son, I win.” (Bailey Thule photo)
Taylor’s playing days, at least at the high school level, are done now. And what a run.
She and her fellow seniors won 64 varsity softball games across four seasons, including two at the 2B state tournament this spring.
Every win matters. Every win is a milestone and a building block, a reward for those in uniform now and an inspiration to those who will play in years to come.
But it’s how those wins were claimed — with fire and passion, with a killer mindset, and, above all, with a genuine joy — which will be the true legacy of Taylor and her fellow Class of 2025 mates.
She gave her heart and soul to the game. (David Somes photo)
I’ve seen a lot of players come and go on the prairie. I’ve seen talent. I’ve seen hustle.
Rarely have I witnessed the kind of joy Taylor brought each day to the diamond.
It is easy to induct her into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, which is what I am doing today. After this, you’ll find her hanging out at the top of the blog under the Legends tab.
My hope for Taylor? That she never loses that boundless joy.
Wherever she goes in life, whatever she accomplishes after this, I hope she always carries great memories of her time repping the red and black.
And that comes from all of her fans. Even Mother Nature.
Legends live forever. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
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