The time is now. 

After four years of being a local star in the Houston area, Baylee Klingler is ready to break out on a national level — perhaps even a worldwide level.

Klingler, the power-hitting middle infielder with tremendous speed and range, made a splash earlier this month when she was named to the 2017 USA Softball junior women's national team.

Klingler was one of 24 players to make the squad, which followed a bold decision to try out for Team USA in January.

Because she took a chance on her softball skills, Klingler will get an amazing opportunity to represent her country in international competitions. It's something that she describes as one of the most rewarding and humbling moments of her life.

"When I learned that I had made the USA junior national team I couldn’t believe it," Klingler told FloSoftball. "I mean, I know that I work extremely hard and give 110 percent in everything I do, but I was so excited to have the opportunity to represent the USA. It was a very surreal moment for me."

How did Klingler arrive at this moment to make a splash on the international stage?

The Journey To Team USA Started In 8th Grade

Back in February 2014, FloSoftball profiled some of the top softball players in the state of Texas. At the time nearly four years ago, Baylee Klingler was an 8th grader looking for a full-time spot on the Texas Aces Express Gold team.

Head coach David McCorkle predicted big things for Baylee: "The kid is a freak of nature and is way beyond her years as just an 8th grader. Baylee is big, strong, and a very athletic player who is one of the best athletes I have seen at this age. She can do it all, and if she continues to get better, will be a lot fun to watch."

Then, in June 2015, Baylee's on-field performance caught the attention of the Houston Chronicle newspaper. On a team filled with veteran softball players, Klingler broke through as the star of the Aces Express team that summer.

"She's a different athlete," McCorkle told the Chronicle in 2015. "She has a long way to go mentally to mature, but physically she has what a lot of kids don't. She has the rare gift of speed and power. She has been playing above her age for a while. She is one of those rare All-American kids that a coach is lucky to have."

After committing to Texas A&M to play college softball, Klingler continued to grow as a player, especially the mental side of the game. That gave her the confidence to push for a spot on the USA Softball junior national team.

How Was The USA Softball Training Experience?

Baylee Klingler didn't know what to expect when she arrived at training camp this summer. Surrounded by great athletes and amazing coaches, Klingler needed to find her own path to success. Naturally, she turned to a work ethic that has driven her to be successful since childhood.

"We worked hard every practice," Klingler said. "I knew that I had to give my best every day at practice and then put in more practice when I was on my own.

"Then, going into our last tournament — (the) junior [world] championship — and seeing all the athletes from different countries was awesome. And then, of course, hearing the national anthem being played after we won gold is a moment I will never forget."

It's clear that Klingler loves her country and will represent Team USA proudly. She is also excited to represent her current club team Impact Gold coached by KC Jackson and Dickinson High School in the Houston area.

The responsibility to represent all of the people who supported her along the way is not lost on Klingler.

"It reminds me every day that I need to be the best I can be on and off the field," she said. "All of these things have given me the opportunity to do what I do — and do what I love.

"I feel that my payback to them is to give my all and be the best person I can be and make them all proud. It is not just my actions on the field that matter. I know that people are looking at me and I need to be a good example for each of them."

Baylee Klingler Ready For Her Moment

After making some waves in 2014, Baylee is ready to break out in a big way in 2018.

Klingler will be part of the USA Softball junior women's national team and a senior at Dickson High School before joining the Texas A&M Softball roster.

Written by James Caldwell