Surrounded by his parents, sister, coaches and friends, Dawson County High School senior Kaleb Holbrook signed an athletic scholarship to play baseball at South Georgia College in Douglas, Ga.
“I like the area very much,” Holbrook said. “I thought South Georgia would give me the best opportunity of playing as a freshman.”
South Georgia College is a member of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Junior College Athletic Association. South Georgia has sent many players to Major League Baseball, the most recent is Jason Childers who was just called up by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Holbrook is most likely going to play catcher. Last year’s catcher has moved on from South Georgia to play at Mercer.
In his final season at Dawson County High School, Holbrook batted .410 with five homeruns and 30 RBI’s, according to Dawson County High School Head Coach Jimmy Pruett. He played both catcher and third base for the Tigers.
“I really like the coaching staff at South Georgia, even though they will have a new head coach next year,” Holbrook said.
Longtime assistant Jeff Timothy will take over for J. Scott Sims.
Holbrook also excelled in the classroom with a GPA of 3.7 while taking eight honors classes during his years at Dawson County High School.
He plans on majoring in business or information systems.
Holbrook has played baseball all his life in Dawson County, beginning with the Park and Recreation.
He began playing T-ball at age four and has since played on many traveling teams in the summer and fall.
He played for the North Georgia Jammers, which was the first local team to earn a berth to Cooperstown, N.Y.
“This has always been a dream of mine to play at the next level,” Holbrook said. “The school is pretty far from home and it will be hard to adjust, but I think I can do it.
“I would like to thank by dad for coaching and helping me throughout the years. Also, my mother was very supportive and helpful and I appreciate all she has done and continues to do.”
Holbrook is the son of Katrina and Keith Holbrook.