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An immediate impression

By DAWN REISS
Published January 18, 2007

INVERNESS - Most college offers happen after weeks, sometimes months of discussion between a coach and player.

Lake-Sumter Community College didn't have to think long when it came to Citrus senior shortstop Nick DelGuidice.

Just one day.

Though LSCC assistant baseball coach Rich Billings had watched DelGuidice before, DelGuidice had never worked out or participated in a tryout for the Lakers.

Billings said LSCC was unsure what kind of scholarship offers they were going to make during the last day of a three-day holiday camp.

Then DelGuidice showed up.

At the urging of his competitive coach, Bob Pincus of the 18-and-under Central Florida Renegades, DelGuidice decided to go despite missing the first two days of the camp.

Billings noticed DelGuidice's work ethic, his quick reaction time and ability to make adjustments. He liked his strong defensive and strong hitting skills that put him in the top of the lineup at Citrus.

"Nowadays, it's tough to find that," Billings said. "Some are in the game because their parents put them in it. Nick just loves to play baseball and you can tell."

Then he learned about DelGuidice's 3.5 grade point average.

Four LSCC players, two second basemen and two shortstops, recently were declared ineligible and Billings was sick of it.

"We had a few guys with academic problems," Billings said. "And I decided I'm tired of putting up with this. I'm going to do it the right way."

DelGuidice's combined academic and athletic skills made Billings realize "he's a guy we have to have." The same day DelGuidice went to camp, Dec. 29, LSCC made the offer.

A week later after a campus visit with his father, DelGuidice accepted. He signed the paperwork Wednesday.

"I wanted to have it done before the season started," said the 17-year-old who lives in Floral City. "Now I'm a lot more relaxed for the season."

DelGuidice batted .430, had 46 hits, 14 doubles and 29 runs last season, helping the 'Canes in their consecutive postseason runs.

"Nick is consistent every day," Citrus coach Jon Bolin said. "He makes a lot of the routine plays, but he can also make the dazzling plays, too. He can go deep in the field and make a lot of plays that a lot of other shortstops can't make."

Dawn Reiss can be reached at dreiss@sptimes.com or 352 860-7303.

[Last modified January 17, 2007, 21:16:52]