LONG BEACH, Calif. (U-WIRE) -- Cal State Long Beach head baseball coach Mike Weathers was chosen by United States of America Baseball Tuesday to be an assistant coach on the 2003 USA Baseball National Team in the summer. Most coaches wouldn't think twice before accepting the job, but Weathers thought of the Dirtbags first.

"It's a great honor," Weathers said. "I just wanted to make sure it didn't hurt our team."

Weathers said he is excited and will take the assistant coaching job. He said he does not have to worry about the Dirtbags in the summer because he has a great assisting staff.

The Dirtbag players are excited that Weathers is going to take the national stage. They said it would help more people learn about Long Beach State baseball.

"I think it's good he is getting recognition at a national level instead of just here," Dirtbag pitcher Neil Jamison said.

Weathers earned the duty of assistant coach by proving he can lead a team where it has never been. In his first year as the head coach of Chapman College, Weathers took his team to the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II playoffs. Weathers also led Chapman to three straight playoff appearances and helped to convert the Division II team into a Division I team in 1992.

Taking the head coaching job in 2000 at LBSU, Weathers had to prove he could fill the shoes of Dave Snow. Weathers responded in his first year with the Dirtbags by leading his team to a 39-21 record and the NCAA regional finals.

"He did a great job with taking over for coach Snow," Alvarez said. "I think it's an honor for him because he did a great job in his first year. He really brought this team together."

(C) 2002 Daily Forty-Niner via U-WIRE.