Long Beach State

Long Beach State athletics home page Long Beach State baseball home page Long Beach State baseball roster (2023) Long Beach State baseball schedule (2024)

Founded: 1949 Enrollment: 38,273 (2022) Played baseball since: 1954 Team name: Dirtbags Home ballpark: Blair Field School colors: Black and gold Conference: Big West (NCAA Div. I)

California State University, Long Beach was founded in 1949 as the Los Angeles-Orange County State College. The first year, there were 13 faculty members teaching 25 classes, which were held in a couple of apartment buildings.

In 1950, the school’s name was changed to Long Beach State College, and voters approved the purchase of more than 300 acres to develop the present campus. In 1964, the state changed the name again, to the California State College at Long Beach. The name was updated again, to its present form, in 1972.

Long Beach State began playing baseball in 1954. In 1969, the team became one of the original charter members of what was then called the Pacific Coast Athletic Association – and has been a member ever since, including through the name change to the Big West Conference in 1989. (From 1977-84, the PCAA did not support baseball, the Dirtbags played baseball as part of the Southern California Baseball Association.)

The Dirtbags have been to the College World Series four times, but have not yet won.

Baseball Alamanac lists more than four dozen Long Beach State players who have made it to the Major Leagues. Notables include Jason Giambi, Steve Trachsel, Troy Tulowitzki, longtime Angels pitcher Jered Weaver and Evan Longoria.

Home games are played at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field. The ballpark opened in 1958, and has undergone several renovations since. The current configuration seats more than 3,200.