The last time Todd Nicholas toed the pitching rubber was a day he would just like to forget.

The Troy State left-hander was the losing pitcher in an 11-1 setback on May 8, 2004, at Florida Atlantic.

That was the last time Nicholas drew a start on the mound.

After a year away from organized baseball, the Greenville native signed a three-year deal Monday night with the Kansas City Royals. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"I got a call from my agent in Los Angeles to see if I was still interested in playing ball," Nicholas said. "So I began to work the past couple months in San Diego with Tom House, who used to be the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers. Scouts came to see me, and I decided to go with Kansas City."

Following the workout, Nicholas received offers from the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and the Royals.

"I know they have lost 18 in a row (as of Friday afternoon), but as a pitcher you want to go with the team that you think that you can advance with," Nicholas explained.

While in San Diego, the Fort Dale Academy alumnus worked with Gary Heil and House, who are founders of the National Pitching Association. Nicholas worked with pitchers of all ages and got some work in himself with House and Heil.

"I worked with a strength coach, threw three days a week with Tom, got my velocity back up there, and then had the scouts come out to see me work out," Nicholas said.

Nicholas, 23, is back in Greenville working out waiting to for his assignment by the Royals. He said it is likely that he may not be given his assignment until next spring. If that's the case he may be sent to an instructional league in Argentina for the winter to hone his pitching skills.

"It's supposed to be a really good league that gives guys some extra work," he said. "A majority of the guys there are Double-A level guys. At this level (the Royals) can see what I can do."

Following winter ball and spring training, Nicholas' contract stipulates that he would be assigned to play for the Idaho Falls (Idaho) Chukars, which is the advanced rookie league affiliate of the Royals.

Nicholas (6-foot-3, 225 pounds) was drafted in the 36th round of the 2004 first-year major league baseball draft by the Montreal Expos. He finished his senior season at Troy State with a 4-2 record and a 7.23 ERA.

Nicholas never signed with the Expos and stepped away from baseball.

Now, he has a second-chance at his big dream.

"You always want to be like on (of the players) on TV," he said. "Now that an accomplishable dream with the Royals."