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Pure hitter Holland hunting for college home again

Thursday, April, 24 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

April, it's the month when high school seniors everywhere are locking up their futures.

Georgetown's Tim Holland stands locked out.

The two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star, one of the most prolific hitters in area history, Holland had the jump on many of his classmates.

Back toward the end of 2007, he committed to Lake City Community College in Northern Florida, accepting a full ride to play baseball two years and hopefully catch the eye of a major warm-weather school or pro organization.

Recently, Holland, off to a 6-for-17 start for the 4-2 Royals, received some unsettling news. Budget constraints have forced Lake City to slash the baseball, softball and women's golf programs. This is nothing new for the college. Fourteen years ago, basketball was slashed from the agenda, never to return.

"Talk about a tough thing for a kid to handle," said Royals coach Mark Rowe. "He's scrambling right now. I give Timmy a lot of credit for fighting through it."

The original college choice was all about baseball for Holland, a three-year starter who has hit .417 over that span (78 for 187 coming into the season).

"When found out, I was just like, 'oh well, time to start all over again,'" said the 6-foot-2 shortstop/pitcher Holland, who with his 3-0 mound start is now 17-7 for his career.

"Starting over should be difficult, it's the last thing I would have ever expected."

Holland is insistent on heading toward warmer climes. Projected as a second baseman or an outfielder at the next level, he expects his game to flourish by being able to play the game he loves year round.

There are some power clubs on his list, too.

Miami-Dade Community College is a feeder system for all the Division 1 programs in southern Florida.

Manatee Community College produced big league star Derek Lee.

And Hillsborough Community College helps stock Division 2 power Tampa and Big East beast South Florida.

"My dad and I are working with some coaches to help the process along, so I'm trying not to worry about it," said Holland, who is now up to 84 hits in his career. "Hey, a lot of my friends are undecided right now."