Pioneering Advocate for Girls’ Softball in Frederick County

Barbara Taylor has been a force in girls’ softball and youth sports in Frederick County for more than four decades. In 1982, she played a pivotal role in founding the Frederick County Girls Fast Pitch Softball League (FCGSL). What began with just four teams has grown into a thriving county-wide league with more than 100 teams participating each spring and fall. Her work coincided with the post–Title IX expansion of opportunities for female athletes. Fast-pitch softball in Frederick County reflects this growth, largely due to Barbara’s vision and leadership.

She has devoted her life to advocating for equal opportunities for girls in sports. She has served as an unpaid volunteer on the Frederick County Parks and Recreation Commission for more than 20 years, including four years as chairwoman, helping to plan and develop parks such as Urbana Park, Urbana District Park, Utica District Park, and Old National Park. She was an assistant coach at Frederick Community College for three years and has coached teams in the county for over 35 years.

Taylor founded and continues to run the Araby softball program, which she revitalized in 2013, and created the Maryland Express travel softball program in 1997, now a successful organization with five teams. She has organized winter clinics for pitching, hitting, catching, and skill enhancement, built indoor facilities on her property for free use by local youth, and donated countless hours, equipment, and registration support to ensure participation is accessible to all girls.

Beyond coaching, she has helped secure government grants to improve facilities at Araby Park, Carroll Manor Elementary, Urbana Elementary, and Urbana High School. She maintained league records for 20 years, started the Fall Softball League in 1997, and continues to serve on the planning committee for Frederick County Girls All-Star Games.

Her dedication has created opportunities for generations of young athletes, including her five daughters, three of whom became top collegiate pitchers.