CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – Ozzie Timmons always planned on coming back to the Atlantic City Surf this season, but an opportunity got in the way.

“A team from Mexico gave me a call and I called [the Surf],” Timmons said, “They understood because it was a chance to play again. Then things didn’t work out.”

The 34 year-old outfielder got only eight games to prove himself ‘South of the Border.’ And since he did not have the benefit of a Spring Training, Timmons struggled and was released.

So the Tampa native finds himself back at the Jersey Shore, where he hit .373 with 21 home runs and 73 RBI in 77 games last season. Timmons had a good relationship last year with the Surf and manager Jeff Ball.

“Jeff Ball is cool,” Timmons said. “He treats everybody the same. He treats you like a man and lets you do your own thing. He doesn’t have too many rules - just be professional and show up on time.”

Timmons is looking to make the most of his second season in the Atlantic League. Since he was signed on May 23, the outfielder is looking to “get into a grove” and show the success he had last season, which earned him a spot on the Mets’ AAA team, the Norfolk Tides.

He hit .274 with 4 homers and 18 RBI in 30 games for the Tides and he was able to show that he still can play at that level.

“The best part about it was that they had a lot of injuries, so I got a chance to play,” he said. “And it gave me a chance to show that I could play on an every day basis.”

Timmons was also thrilled to see some of the upcoming stars on the Tides, like Victor Diaz perform.

But, a long term relationship with the Mets was not in the cards.

“They kept me to the deadline and never resigned me,” Timmons said. “I heard a lot positive things and it was cool, since I had a pretty good season. But it didn’t pan out. I don’t know if it had anything to do with the shuffle up with the front office.”

So, Timmons is still looking for that opportunity to play in the big leagues again. A veteran of 165 Major League games, Timmons hit .235 with 20 home runs and 60 RBI in 405 at bats for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

That short time in the Majors has given the outfielder enough of a taste of the show to want to keep playing until he cannot play anymore.

“At least, until I feel I am embarrassing myself out there,” he said. “If I am not competitive, it is time to shut it down.”

But he has the Atlantic League, which he says hasn’t changed much. He loves the short travel, the stadiums and the fans in the league, but is still here for one reason.

“Just hit and have an opportunity,” Timmons said. “If I get to an organization, I need just a chance to prove myself at the AAA level.”

And the Atlantic League is trying to provide just that.

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