Tazaleen (Taz) Bacchus '19 Recruiting Profile

Hello Coach, 

My name is Tazaleen Bacchus. I was introduced to sports at a very young age. My father a sports fanatic, played every sport you could think of. However, baseball was his number one all-time sport. Being at ballparks watching my father’s team batting, pitching, running,  sliding, being called out, struck out or bringing in a run and everyone cheering it all seemed like fun. My brother and I were always playing baseball in the backyard, and I realized then I wanted to be on an actual team.  At the age of 6 I asked my father if I could play softball he got so excited he registered me the next day,   unfortunately, he registered me for the wrong sport hardball on a boys team.  I was disappointed at first being the only girl on the team, however, I played great and made the all-star team.  The next year I played house league softball and loved it.  During, our playoff game I was playing third, and there was a coach going around asking every parent on the bleachers "who's daughter is that playing third? man does she ever gotta arm on her." This gentleman was Coach Joe Westlake who scouted me at the age of 8 to play on a rep softball team the Brampton Blazers and 9 years later I am still a Blazer. I love Softball it has taught me so much not only on the field but also off the field. I have learned time management, how to be responsible, organized, focused, how to communicate, deal with winning and losing,  and to never give up.  I know softball is a huge commitment going to practices, games, and tournaments and I miss out on other events, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, softball is my life and I don’t think I could ever stop playing the sport I love and live for.

The best way for me to tell you how my coaches would describe me as a player or person is by me asking them directly and here is what my coach for the last 8 years Joe Westlake had to say “ Tazy is a dedicated and determined player and person, she always brings a positive attitude to the team and has a true love for softball.”  and Coach Alan Lee Hoy  who coached me for 4 years said “ She is talented, resilient, determined and a team player. Intelligent and aggressive ball player.  A better person than she is a player. A game changer.”   

I know a lot of softball coaches give a large amount of their time to help girls get to the next level. I believe there are certain qualities a coach should have such as great communication, knowledge, passion, motivation, and also be a great human being. My coach should also be fair, honest and brave all at once. I want a coach that believes more in the players he or she coaches than the players believe in themselves. I also want a coach who is not just coaching softball but is also coaching life. Most of all I want a coach that let’s softball be fun and celebrates with us.

Thank you!

Tazaleen (Taz) Bacchus