SPORTS

Rucker Taylor will be coaching with USA Baseball this summer.

USA Baseball has announced the launching of its 13-and-under Athlete Development Program, and Davidson head coach Rucker Taylor will be part of the Team USA staff this summer.  

The inaugural ADP, a four-day, invite-only program for elite-level players, will be June 19-22 at the USA Baseball Complex in Cary.

Taylor, in his first year as Davidson’s head coach, will serve as manager of the 13U Stars (Stars vs. Stripes) team. 

“Being able to be a part of USA Baseball is a bucket list opportunity for me,” said Taylor. “I’m thankful for this opportunity and to be able to carry on a tradition of people with Davidson connections being a part of USA Baseball. I’m excited to learn from the other coaches involved and from the USA Baseball curriculum, and I believe this is going to be a great experience that will benefit our Davidson program and me personally.” 

The ADP completes USA Baseball’s pipeline from the 12U National Team to the Collegiate National Team. Along with on-field training, competition, evaluation and skill development, participants will also take part in off-the-field educational initiatives including the college recruiting process, NCAA regulations, strength and conditioning, nutrition and media training.

Taylor is in his seventh season at Davidson. He spent the previous four years as associate head coach — including in 2017 during the team’s run to the NCAA Super Regionals — and the two prior to that as an assistant. Before coming to Davidson, Taylor (Vanderbitl ’06) coached at Samford.

For more information on USA Baseball and the ADP, visit USABaseball.com.