Marlys Taber’s major fast pitch career started at 14 years-old in 1958 for the Earlville Victorians of Earlville, IL and concluded in 1983 when she was forced to retire because of acute tendonitis resulting from a shoulder injury. Five times Taber was selected an ASA All-American. She was a first-team choice in 1978 and 1980 and a second teamer in 1965 (.385 batting average), 1966 (.250 BA) and 1976 (.238 BA). Besides being an All-American, Taber played in three ASA Women’s Major Fast Pitch All-Star Series, 1966, 1969 and 1977, and batted .389 in the 1966 Series to lead all hitters. In 1979, she received an invitation to try out for the 1979 USA Pan American team. After her playing career, Taber taught physical education plus coached basketball, soccer, volleyball and golf. She retired in 1995 and finds herself “extremely busy golfing, making craft projects and participating in community activities,” living in Dows, IA.Taber is a 1966 graduate of Illinois State University and was elected to the university’s hall of fame in 1982. In 1989, she was elected to the Greater Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. She calls her election to the ASA Softball Hall of Fame in 1991 “the greatest thrill of her career.” She was born March 4, 1944.
