Charlie Nichols

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Hometown Prospect Turned High School Leader Excited for Opportunity in PLCB; An Interview with Charlie Nichols

Players will be coming from all over the country in this year’s Collegiate Baseball League of the Palm Beaches, but for two-way player Charlie Nichols, it’ll be right in his backyard.

Nichols hails from Suncoast High School in South Palm Beach County, a half hour away from where the majority of CLPB games will be held this season. Nichols regrettably had his senior season cut short due to the spread of COVID-19 after starting the season with a career-high batting average (.292), slugging percentage (.417), and was just one off his career-high in RBIs with only 24 games played.

“We didn’t get a true judgement, it’s tough having to know that and have nothing we could’ve done about it.” Nichols told me. “Nonetheless, this was our senior year, we had, I think, nine seniors. This felt like the year for us.”

His start at Suncoast didn’t go to plan, hitting .213 with 22 strikeouts in 94 appearances in his Freshman and Sophomore seasons for the Chargers. He also only pitched one inning in his first two seasons, giving up three runs in a loss. Going into his third season, Nichols knew he had to step up if he wanted his team to go anywhere significant, and he made that very clear before the season what kind of attitude the Suncoast dugout needed to have day in, day out.

“I knew the weight I was going to have to carry. I knew I had to play more of a ‘captain’ role.” Nichols told me. “We were losing nine seniors [after 2019]… it was me getting the whole team to buy in.”

Nichols wanted to make sure that Suncoast wouldn’t disappoint with his last year with their veterans. For Charlie, he didn’t just stress that on opening day of the season, but on the opening day of practice.

“Obviously we weren’t expecting things to be the same, and it all started at practice.” Said Nichols. “I had to let them know that the focus had to be there, and once that focus was there, the little things would start to come together. Once we had everyone bought in at practice, it began to show on the field.”

When asked about wanting to be a leader, Nichols confidently proclaimed “I felt like I was born into the role.” As this “leader” in his junior season and abbreviated senior season, Nichols did nothing but deliver. Nichols batted .291 with seven RBIs and four extra base hits at the plate. On the mound, he was even better, throwing a 2.17 ERA in 11 apperances, collecting two wins and one save with 54 strikeouts and just 26 walks, landing him a scholarship at Nova Southeastern University in Davie.

For him, it was important to not only come into this past season as a spark for his teammates, but for this summer as well. The challenge for Nichols this summer is one that he’s not only known about, but is looking forwards to.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things, I’m excited about the talent of the league.” Nichols explained. “I know if I’m going to be put in there playing against good talent, the results are going to be great.”

Nichols will be focusing mostly on pitching this summer to boost him for college, and the league presents competition that he hasn’t seen before. Accepting to joining leagues like the PLCB at such a young age means that he will be playing against not only older, more groomed talent, but talent that he won’t have much preparation or knowledge about when he takes the mound. The task at hand, however, hasn’t phased the future Suncoast graduate.

“My mentality anyways is to go out there and throw the ball.” Nichols said. “I don’t think, I don’t do all those pre-game rituals… not having any background is actually going to make things easier. I’m going to be more relaxed, more focused on playing my best ball.”    

PLAYER FINANCIAL AGREEMENT

This Financial Agreement (« Agreement ») is between you and PALM BEACH BSB, LLC (“CLPB”). Permission to participate in the 2021 CLPB season is conditional upon your acceptance of and satisfactory performance under this Agreement. By clicking on the “I accept” button below, you have indicated that you have read, understand, consent and agree to the terms of the Player Financial Agreement. Acceptance of this Agreement will bind you to the terms herein in a legally enforceable contract with the CLPB.


In furtherance of the 2021 Letter of Intent and Player Agreement entered into with PALM BEACH BSB, LLC (“CLPB”), I hereby agree to furnish $1000.00 to the CLPB for and in consideration of my participation in the CLPB season, including all post-season play.


By accepting this Agreement, I agree to submit a $500.00 deposit to the CLPB by December 19, 2020, and to submit a second installment of $500.00 to the CLPB by March 17, 2021. I acknowledge and agree that I am responsible for an additional expense for insurance coverage to be determined before the beginning of the CLPB season. The CLPB reserves the right to require proof of medical insurance as a pre-condition to participation in the CLPB season.


By accepting this Agreement, I acknowledge and agree that I will have the option to train with Cressey Sports Performance during the CLPB season at the additional cost of $299.00 per month to be paid directly to Cressey Sports Performance.
By accepting this Agreement, I acknowledge and agree that I will be required to sign additional necessary waivers to participate in the CLPB season when I arrive at the CLPB.


This Agreement and any dispute, controversy, disagreement, or issue of construction or interpretation arising hereunder, whether relating to its execution, performance, validity or the obligations provided herein, shall be governed and interpreted according to the laws of the state of Florida. In the event that there is any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or to the interpretation, breach or enforcement thereof, and any action or proceeding is commenced to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, each Party shall be responsible for payment of their own attorneys’ fees. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY FOR ANY DISPUTES THAT ARISE OUT OF OR ARE IN ANY WAY RELATED TO OR DERIVE FROM THIS AGREEMENT. The Contracting Parties must and shall mediate any dispute prior to instituting legal proceedings against one another, and upon instituting legal proceedings, shall again submit the dispute for mediation within 60 days. Jurisdiction and venue shall lie and any litigation must be commenced in Palm Beach County, Florida. The Contracting Parties hereby agree that this Agreement will not be construed more strictly against either Contracting Party regardless of which Contracting Party is responsible for its preparation. Player agrees that the foregoing deposit is non refundable under any circumstances, except in the event of injury