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I wasn't able to attend any of these games. If you did, please post your observations by clicking the comments link at the end of this post, or e-mail me at dirtbagsfan@yahoo.com.

This article in the Long Beach Press-Telegram today highlights the 43 former Long Beach State Dirtbags who played professional baseball during 2004, including 12 who spent all or part of the year on a Major League roster.

After two years at Los Angeles City College (where he played shortstop), Kaulana Kuhaulua played for the Long Beach State Dirtbags in 2001. He started 58 games at second base, hitting .232. That June he was drafted in the 12th round by the Minnesota Twins. This year he played for their Class A affiliate Ft. Myers Miracles, with a brief stint with the Class AA New Britain Rock Cats. Here's what the Honolulu Star-Bulletin had to say about his season this year:

Kuhaulua (Waianae, Long Beach State), a shortstop, got off to a good start for the Ft. Myers Miracle in the Florida State League but didn't think his season was statistically the best.

"I played good defense most of the season, but got into a slump at the end of the season and got frustrated," said Kuhaulua. "Everyone tried to help. I got so much information I got more confused."

He was named to the West Division team for the FSL all-star game and teamed with second baseman Bronson Sardinha for that showcase.

The 170-pounder dropped 15 pounds during the season due to the Florida heat and he wants to regain that weight during the offseason at home.

If you haven't checked them out before, there's a few message boards with lively conversation on Long Beach State and Big West Conference baseball - even in the off season. There are a couple of outstanding ones specific to Long Beach State, Long Beach State Hoops on insiders.com, and 49er Sports. The hoops site also covers baseball. There's also a great site covering all Big West Conference baseball at insiders.com. Check 'em out!

In the ask BA column yesterday, Baseball America's Jim Callis gives their top 10 prospects for the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft in 2005. They rank Dirtbags shortstop Troy Tulowitzki the number 10 prospect. The only other player west of Houston to be included is USC catcher Jeff Clement at number 4. Read the column here.

In this article by Chris Kline on the Baseball America website, Paul McAnulty is listed as a top position player prospect in the Arizona League, where he is playing for the Peoria Javelinas.

Thanks to reader VDubsMom for the lead here on Tom Sarti transfering to Long Beach State from Sacramento City College. I have confirmed with Long Beach SID Niall Adler that Tom is on board with the Dirtbags.

Tom bats and throws righthanded, and is listed on the Sacramento City College website as a catcher/outfielder. He's 5'9", 185 lbs. In 34 games and 120 ABs for Sac City in 2004, he hit .392 (13th in the Big Valley Conference) and drove in 18 runs. He had 14 walks, and struck out 21 times. He was also hit by a pitch 13 times.

It could get real interesting as Coach Weathers decides who will set up behind the plate in 2005. Tito Cruz got a fair amount (though part time) of play last year, including a few games behind the plate, and at times looked ready to break out. Chris Jones (now a junior) and David Chamberlain (now a soph.) are also listed as catchers. And as I previously posted, catcher Jordan Struble has transferred in from Saddleback College.

Thanks to longbeachstate.com for posting the Dirtbags Intrasquad and Dirt v. Bags game schedule:

INTERSQUAD GAMES
Saturday, October 23, 2 p.m.
Sunday, October 24, 1 p.m.
Monday, October 25, 3 p.m.
Friday, October 29, 6 p.m.
Saturday, October 30, 2 p.m.
Sunday, October 31, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, November 2, 6:30 p.m.

DIRT VS. BAG SERIES
Friday, November 5, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 6, 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 7, 1 p.m.

The intrasquad games are played on campus, and the Dirt v. Bags games are played at Blair Field.

UPDATE: Correction: The rest of the intrasquad games will be at Blair Field.

Jordan Struble, a 6'0" 205 lbs. catcher/outfielder, has transfered to Long Beach State after two years with the Saddleback College Gauchos. According to the Saddleback College webpage "Struble started all 41 games for the Gauchos [in 2004], getting most of those starts behind the plate as the team's everyday catcher. He batted .356 with 11 doubles, one triple, and nine home runs." Saddleback (29-12) won the California community college state championship in last May.

Jordan hit .283 in 99 at bats, with 17 RPI, for the Alaska Goldpanners this summer. Here's his bio from the Goldpanners webpage:

Junior College: 2-year starter at catcher and outfield for Jack Hodges of the Saddleback Community College Gauchos, the 2004 California JC State Champion and 2003 State Runner-Up...Led team in hitting at the 2004 State Tournament with a .667 BA, 1.000 slugging % and .700 on-base %... Second on the team for 2004 post-season play with a .478 BA, 2 HR, 3-2B, 9 runs, 7 RBI's, .869 slug % and .629 on-base %...Voted Co-Defensive player of the year with a .989 fielding % and only 3 errors in 41 games as the Gauchos starting catcher...2004 overall season stats include a .356 BA in 160 AB's, 57 H, 9 HR, 1-3B, 11-2B, 35 RBI's, 41 R, .606 slug %, .440 on-base %, 21 walks, 16 K's and 10 stolen bases as Co-Captain, 2004 Pre-Season JC All-American...2003 overall stats include a .300 BA in 160 AB's, 3 HR, 1-3B, 10-2B, 21 RBI's, 38 R, .431 slug %, .411 on-base %, 22 walks and 5 stolen bases.

HIGH SCHOOL: 4-year Elsinore Tigers varsity starter for 3 different head coaches (Steve Waldroff, Jaime Barker and Dusty Brinley)...career batting average of .424...3-time First Team All-League at catcher (3 different leagues due to re-alignment)...earned All-CIF and All-County honors his senior year...2-time team MVP and Captain...3-year varsity starter in football as a linebacker and tight end...First Team All-League selection at linebacker...team was Runner-Up in the 2000 CIF Finals...Co-Captain his senior year.

Here's a further update on my earlier post on Bobby Crosby's walk off homer yesterday, clinching a victory for Oakland over Seattle. Thanks to Shirl for passing along this link to a story in the Sacramento Bee. There's a nice picture of Bobby rounding first with his fist in the air.

According the the statistical analysis conducted by Boyd Nation (BoydsWorld.com), Long Beach State was the third most efficient on defense of all Division I teams. Read Boyd's article and analysis here.

In its 22nd annual ranking of NCAA Division I baseball recruiting, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper has placed the Long Beach State 49ers 2004-2005 class at 27th. According to the paper here, the Dirtbags have landed 16 recruits, comprised of 7 freshman, 7 JC transfers, and 2 transfers from 4 year colleges.

The only other Big West Conference school ranked in the top 40 is CS Fullerton, coming in at 15th. UC Riverside and UC Irvine are mentioned as other top recruiting classes, but falling below the top 40.

Other ranked recruiting classes in California are: Pepperdine (8th), Stanford (11th), Fresno State (17th) and USC (20th). Other California colleges mentioned as other top recruiting classes, but falling below the top 40, include: San Jose State, UCLA and California.