By: Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

Taylor Bratton dreamed of one day playing in the big leagues.

When the left-handed West Alabama grad went down with an injury during the 2015 season while pitching for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association, it was a punch in the gut. He rehabbed in hopes of continuing his playing career but unfortunately, it was not meant to be.

That is when Bratton realized where his future in the game was headed.

“The day I was released due to injury from Winnipeg and began two months of physio but never made progress, I knew it was time to hang them up.” Bratton said. “I've always wanted to remain involved in the game when I was done playing and coaching was still the most involved.”

Before his playing career ended, Bratton did not have much experience in the coaching ranks aside from running some lessons with his high school program, the Ontario Royals.

And now here is  assistant coach at Georgia Southwestern State University. 

Since Bratton red-shirted his first season at the University of West Alabama he was able to complete his bachelor’s degree in sports management and a year of his master’s degree in physical education during his five years in Livingston. The obvious way to climb the coaching ranks was to find a school that would accept him to be a graduate assistant coach, allowing him to complete the final year of his Master’s degree. It was a familiar face, Gary Rundles, who would give Bratton a chance. Rundles coached Bratton at West Alabama and has been coaching in various positions since 1977.

“Coach Rundles made the transition easy by allowing me to return to finish my master’s as a graduate assistant,” he said. “With the Royals I helped out with all programs and pitching. I took a bit of a backseat knowing I was going to be gone in the summer (before I got hurt), then it was quick into UWA.”

After completing his master’s at West Alabama he would be off to Medicine Hat, Alta. to be the head coach of the Medicine Hat Mavericks of the Western Major Baseball League in the summer of 2016. He lead them to a 30-17 regular season record, good for second in the Western Division. They closed out the season by going 5-3 in the playoffs.

Medicine Hat proved to be a great experience for the player-turned-coach.

“Only having one year left for my master’s I had to take in as much as I could to try to move on. Medicine Hat played a big part in that experience,” he said. “We had a great summer with an unfortunate end but we dealt with injuries all year and it finally caught up to us.”

As the summer season progressed, finding a college coaching job became more important. On Aug. 22nd Bratton was named an assistant coach at Georgia Southwestern State. The Canes are members of the Division II Peach Belt Conference and a team Bratton knew well.

“I saw the job posting and applied,” Bratton said of how he got the job. “I remember playing against them and it all sounded like a good fit and opportunity.”

Bratton could not be happier with his decision.

“So far, it's been beyond my expectations,” he said. “You can see the trend of GSW growing and I want to do everything I can to continue it on that path and help bring the 1st PBC championship back to Americus.”

Finding a coaching style can be challenging for some but Bratton relied on his resources and self-confidence to differentiate himself from other coaches fresh out of playing.

“I tried to take something from everyone I've interacted with coaching but really it comes down to what you believe in and finding ways to simplify and instill your philosophy in your players,” he said. “I try not to cookie cut everyone to be the same.”

He does point to two people who have helped shape him as a coach.

“Mike Steed has been a huge mentor of mine through my playing career and now my transition to coaching. Also, Dan Holcomb has been an open book for me to use with any questions or concerns.”

Mike Steed is currently the head coach of an Ontario Blue Jays 18U team, while Holcomb is the current UWA pitching coach.

Bratton describes himself as still evolving, young and energetic. He also admits sometimes he pushes too hard and wrestles with finding a comfortable balance between work and home. According to him, seeing the strides that GSW is making makes it easy for a young coach to strive and work hard.

Coaching is definitely in the Oakville native’s future but he is keeping his options open to another dream.

“Ultimately my goal one day is to be the General Manager of a team, but I want to coach as long as I can to build my reputation and contacts that will help in all aspects of life.”