For Taylor Donn, the journey hasn’t been rushed… it’s been built.

Raised in a small Ontario community where opportunities had to be earned, not handed out, Taylor—a Class of 2027 catcher and third baseman with the tools to also play shortstop— has grown into a player defined by preparation, resilience, and high personal standards.

She’s also one of the best high school juniors in Canada who hasn’t yet finalized her college choice and will be a great pick-up for the lucky university that secures her services.

From her early development with the Waterloo Ghosts to competing in elite showcases across Canada and the United States, Taylor’s path has been shaped by steady growth and a mindset that embraces pressure rather than avoids it.

Growing up in the Waterloo organization, Taylor was surrounded by an emphasis on fundamentals from a young age.

“Being there for so many years taught me that improvement doesn’t happen overnight, and that progress takes patience and consistency,” she explains.

“I was given opportunities to learn and grow at a young age, which helped me fall in love with the game early on. The coaches and support within the organization taught me how to be resilient, tough, and confident in myself.”

That environment helped her build a strong foundation — not just as a softball player, but as a person.

Over time, she learned that improvement doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience, repetition, and trust in the process. The coaches and support around her pushed her to be tough, confident, and accountable, setting expectations early that would become the standard she still holds herself to today.

Those standards were reinforced by her small-town roots.

Living in a rural community taught Taylor that nothing would come easily. Opportunities weren’t going to show up unless she went after them. That reality shaped her work ethic and discipline, and it’s something she carries into every training session and competition.

She takes pride in being the hardest worker in the room and not just in softball—she also plays basketball and volleyball (she’s the team captain). Taylor says she loves how the sports complement each other and helps her grow as an athlete.

“Playing softball, basketball, and volleyball has given me so many opportunities to lead in different ways,” she continues.

“Softball has taught me how to deal with failure and recover from it, which has helped me in all areas of my life.”

“Basketball improved my pace, awareness, and decision-making, while volleyball strengthened my communication and confidence as a vocal leader, especially as a captain.”

“Each sport asks something different from you and learning how to adapt has made me a more well-rounded athlete and person. Competing in multiple environments has also helped me grow as a leader, teammate, and competitor.”

Softball specifically, for Taylor, has influenced far more than just her performance on the field. It’s shaped how she approaches life, effort, and responsibility.

Being from a small town brought pressures she didn’t always recognize at the time, but it also gave her a sense of pride and gratitude for every opportunity the game has provided.

On the field, Taylor is known for being comfortable in uncomfortable moments.

Pressure doesn’t scare her — it fuels her.

She believes confidence is earned through preparation, long before game day arrives. Whether it’s a tight situation late in a game or a high exposure showcase moment, she leans into the moment, trusting the work she’s put in behind the scenes.

For Taylor, pressure is a privilege… it means the moment matters. Recently, she’s used that pressure to grow in her play on the softball fields.

“My confidence took a huge jump during two back-to-back weekends this past November,” Taylor recalls.

“First was a fall showcase in Elizabethtown, Kentucky with Unity, where everything clicked and I batted just under .800. It felt unreal and made me realize that all the early mornings and late nights were paying off.”

“The following weekend at the Scenic City Fall Showcase in Tennessee with Northern Force was just as special. I carried that momentum, batted just under .500 with three home runs — including a walk-off grand slam — played perfect defense, and threw out three runners from behind the plate.”

Taylor’s impressive performances three months ago has fueled her desire even more to keep succeeding.

“Those two weekends showed me how much I’d grown and made me really proud of the work I’ve put in.”

Here’s a recent collection of video clips showing where Taylor has taken her game to this point:

Softball, however, taught her one of the most important lessons of all — how to fail.

Through the game, she learned how to recognize setbacks, recover quickly, and move forward without hesitation. That ability to adapt has become one of her greatest strengths, both on and off the field.

“Learning how to recognize failure, recover from it, and move on quickly has become a huge focus for me,” the athlete says.

“I’ve always had perfectionist tendencies, but I’ve learned that perfection can only take you so far. What really matters is how willing you are to learn, adjust, and keep going. One bad game or weekend doesn’t define you.”

“Failure is going to happen — it’s how you respond that matters. Being able to bounce back without hesitation has completely changed my mindset and my game.”

Defensively, Taylor’s versatility stands out.

She has played catcher, third base, and shortstop, developing a high softball IQ and a deep understanding of the game from multiple perspectives. Learning different positions has boosted her confidence and allowed her to support teammates more effectively.

She prides herself on being a true utility player — ready to step in wherever the team needs her.

Catching has been her greatest challenge.

It’s a position that demands constant focus, physical toughness, and mental resilience. From calling pitches to managing runners and game situations, Taylor embraces the responsibility that comes with being involved in every play.

“Catching challenges me the most because it requires both physical toughness and strong mental focus,” Taylor explains.

“As a catcher, you’re involved in every pitch and every play — calling the game, supporting your pitcher, managing runners, and staying locked in the entire time. It’s a position where small mistakes can have a big impact, which is why learning how to manage and recover from failure is so important.”

“Catching has taught me how to communicate clearly, stay calm under pressure, and lead confidently from behind the plate. It’s pushed me to be more accountable, detail-oriented, and supportive of my teammates, which has helped me grow as both a player and a leader.”

It’s also where her ability to reset, communicate, and stay composed shines the most.

Catching has pushed her to become more accountable, more strategic, and more supportive of her teammates — helping her grow as both a player and a leader.

Competing with teams like Unity Great Lakes, Northern Force, and New York Inferno has exposed Taylor to a wide range of coaching styles and competitive environments.

Those experiences taught her that talent alone isn’t enough.

At the showcase level, she learned that coaches are looking for players who understand their role, adapt quickly, and positively impact the game in any situation. Awareness, grit, and effort are what separate complete players from the rest.

Off the field, Taylor approaches development with the same intention.

One of the biggest lessons she’s learned through training is focusing on what she can control. Letting go of the pressure to do everything allowed her to play freer, trust herself, and stay present in the moment.

“When I was younger, I put a lot of pressure on myself to do everything perfectly, and if I couldn’t, I felt like I failed,” the high schooler remembers.

“Through conversations with my coaches, I learned that my responsibility is to control my effort, mindset, and role — not everything else.”

“Once that clicked, my game completely changed. I played free, trusted myself more, and stopped worrying about outside opinions. That mindset shift helped me improve faster and become a better teammate, and I wouldn’t be where I am without the coaches who’ve supported me every step of the way.”

That shift changed her game completely.

Her preparation now centers on consistency, visualization, and reflection. Music plays a big role in getting her into the right mindset, while post-game journaling helps her reflect on what went well and what she can improve.

Academically, Taylor is just as driven.

With interests in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, and Athletic Therapy, she’s searching for a program that values the student-athlete experience and supports development both on and off the field.

She’s looking for strong academics, a competitive but positive team culture, and coaches who genuinely invest in their players.

Taylor sees softball as a means to an end, getting to play the game she loves but also to get her an education in one of the sports-related areas she’s interested in.

“Softball isn’t just something I do after school — it’s a huge part of my life. I want to attend a school that truly supports student-athletes and understands the balance between academics and athletics.”

“I want a program that supports both my education and my athletic goals. Long-term, I want to grow as both an athlete and a future professional in the sports and health field.”

When a college coach watches Taylor for the first time, she hopes they notice her smile.

It’s a reflection of her love for the game and the joy she brings to every opportunity. She’s vocal, supportive, and constantly engaged — a competitor who plays with energy and purpose.

“Softball is my happy place, no matter where I am,” she says.

“My smile represents all the work I’ve put in and how much I love the game. I also hope they notice my communication and energy. I’m a very vocal player and always supportive of my teammates.”

“I pride myself on being respectful to coaches, umpires, and teammates, and I’ll always be cheering. Softball is unpredictable, so I believe in giving everything I have while I can.

As her recruiting journey continues, one thing is clear.

Taylor isn’t chasing shortcuts.

She’s building something lasting — grounded in work ethic, resilience, and standards she set for herself long ago. And with every challenge she leans into, she continues proving that where you start doesn’t limit how far you can go.

Her quest for the right softball program and education institution reflects that.

“I’m looking for a program that supports me academically and athletically, with coaches who genuinely invest in player development,” Taylor concludes.

“Culture is really important to me — I want to be in a competitive but positive environment where teammates push each other to improve. Strong academics, hands-on learning opportunities, and a supportive team culture all matter a lot.”

“Overall, I want a program that challenges me, believes in me, and helps me succeed on and off the field.”

— Tyler Johnstone/Line Drive Correspondent