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From theReporter.com of Vacaville, California (read it here):

"Beach calling Vaca's Hume

Sunshine, a top-notch program, and a scholarship lure Vacan to Long Beach.

By David DeBolt/Reporter Sports Intern

Former Vacaville High School pitcher Donnie Hume didn't need to visit North Carolina State University.

The sun, the palm trees, the beach, and the year-round baseball weather of Southern California were all the left-hander needed. Getting signed by one of the best baseball programs on the West Coast was a bonus.

Hume made his college decision recently, accepting a scholarship with Long Beach State. The former Bulldog was due to visit NC State after his trip south, but the trip was not necessary.

Location was a factor in Hume's decision.

"It is far enough away to get away, but close enough to take a nice drive home," he said. "The campus is beautiful. I've always liked Southern California. There is all kinds of baseball down there."

At his visit to the college, Hume had breakfast, lunch and dinner with the coaches as well as an academic skills specialist who takes care of the baseball players.

The lefty said he was impressed with the coaches.

"I've heard nothing but good things about the coaches from the players," Hume said.

Hume's first contact with Long Beach State came when pitching coach Troy Buckley saw Hume pitch at a North-South All-Star game for state high school juniors last summer. Buckley then set up a time to come and watch one of Hume's games with the Bulldogs.

"He came out and watched me pitch a complete game against Armijo," Hume said. "We won, but it wasn't my best performance."

Still, the outing impressed Buckley. Hume was equally impressed with the pitching coach.

"Troy Buckley is one of the top pitching coaches in the country," Hume said.

Under Buckley, the pitching staff combined for a 2.99 ERA last season and led their team within one game of the College World Series.

Hume, who was signed as a pitcher, will join that staff. In high school, the lefty pitched and hit, but Hume said it is rare for pitchers to do both at Long Beach. So he is going to establish himself as a pitcher first, and then show the coaches what he can do at the plate.

Hume is not sure if he will redshirt or fill a spot on this year's roster. But the former Bulldog's hopes are high for next season.

"I want to win a position early," Hume said. "I've been pitching well all summer long," he said.

Hume has spent the summer playing off an on for the Solano Cenco Sultans. The pitcher said if he had not been picked up by Long Beach, he might have landed at Solano Community College.

Hume had also been looked at by many scouts.

"I threw a bullpen for the Giants at Vaca High," he said.

The Chicago Cubs, the Florida Marlins, and the Pittsburgh Pirates also showed interest.

He said his decision to attend Long Beach had an affect in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft in June.

"They didn't want to waste a pick," Hume said.

But Hume said he would rather play at the college level and develop his skills a little more.

"I wasn't ready to play with the big boys," he said.

Hume still has his heart set on making the big leagues, though.

"My goal is to hopefully get drafted by my junior year," the pitcher said.

Hume has come to the right place. Ten former 49ers currently play in the majors, and four of their players from last season were drafted in the first five rounds, including standout pitcher Jered Weaver, who was selected 12th overall by the Anaheim Angels.

Hume's new team went 41-20 last season, finishing second in the Big West Conference behind powerhouse Cal-State Fullerton. The "Dirtbags" - the school mascot is the 49ers, but the baseball team has adopted the name Dirtbags - were ranked 12th in the college top 25, marking the 12th time since 1989 that Long Beach cracked the top 25.

Calculating in the stats, the travel time and the weather reports for Long Beach, it looks as though Hume has made the right decision."

Hume was selected as a California's Best of 2004 by the California Baseball Coach's Association as a multi-position player (outfield and pitcher). Read it here.