Most people would consider being called a "Dirt Bag" an insult. But Galena High's Chuck Sindlinger considers it to be the highest of praises.
Sindlinger signed a letter of intent on Friday to play baseball at Long Beach State, a program that has affectionately been referred to as the "Dirt Bags" over the years. The 49ers have been called the "Dirt Bags" because of their hard-nosed style of play in which the players always seem to be dirty.
Long Beach State, though, is also one of the most respected programs in the nation that has appeared in the College World Series in the past. The 49ers, who compete in the Big West Conference, are coming off another season in which they advanced to the NCAA playoffs.
"They're like a contender in the College World Series and stuff like that and they've always had a good program," Sindlinger said.
Galena coach Gary McNamara encouraged Sindlinger to head for Long Beach.
"Coach McNamara kind of pushed Long Beach," Sindlinger said. "He just thought I would fit in the program. They're just like a hard-nosed team."
Sindlinger is also known as a hard-nosed player, which is why the 49ers recruited him.
"They like the whole hustle thing and stuff like that," Sindlinger said.
An all-High Desert League first team this past season as a shortstop, Sindlinger hopes to earn playing time as a freshman. "I'm going to try to earn the shortstop position," he said.
But Sindlinger also said playing second base or third base or even in the outfield is a possibility as well.
"They recruited me as a shortstop-second baseman," he said. "Hopefully I can win one of those spots.
"I don't mind playing second base at all. I'm going to have to compete to earn playing time."
When asked what he needs to work on, Sindlinger said, "Just being more consistent at the plate."
Among the other programs that recruited Sindlinger were Arizona State and Hawaii. Sindlinger visited ASU along with Long Beach, but the 49ers offered him the best financial package.
While he'll have to pay for part of his costs during his freshman year, after his freshman year, Long Beach will pay for all of Sindlinger's expenses.
Sindlinger, though, said it was still a tough decision to head for Long Beach. "It took me a while," he said.