After playing baseball in the Milwaukee Braves’ farm system, Kuykendall switched to fast pitch softball and became one of the top catchers in the game playing for the Clearwater, FL Bombers. Kuykendall played in his first ASA national tourney in 1960 for Canton, NC, then joined the Bombers in 1962. He earned All-America honors that year, batting .389 in the national tourney. He also earned All-America honors in 1963, 1964, 1965 , 1966 and 1967. He helped the Bombers win national titles in 1962, 1963, 1966 and 1968, finish second in 1965 and third in 1967. Kuykendall retired as a player after the 1972 season, then served as the assistant manager of the Bombers in 1976. Growing up in Waynesville, NC, Kuykendall earned 14 letters in high school while playing football, baseball, basketball and track. In 1953, he entered Western Carolina College in Cullowhee, NC and lettered in three sports, only the second athlete in school history to accomplish that feat. He played guard on the football team and was all-conference twice. In baseball he played one year and batted .383 and was named all-state. He also was a guard on the basketball team and earned all-state honors. Kuykendall passed away February 24, 1995 at age 59 of a heart attack.
