Slugger draws on challenges he overcame at The Citadel

By David Willis

LOWELL — While his teammates were shocked by the Spartan lifestyle of Single-A minor league baseball, Lowell's Chris McGuiness was thrilled by his new surroundings.

After all, most anything is luxurious compared to life at The Citadel.

"When I got here, everyone was talking about how the (UMass Lowell) dorms don't have TVs," he said. "We didn't have TVs in our dorms. And the food here is five stars compared to what they fed us in school. Everyone else was shocked, I feel like I'm at a suite. It's better than what I'm used to."

The former student-cadet at the strict South Carolina military college (the movie and novel "Lords of Discipline'' was based on The Citadel) is now focusing that discipline on baseball as the starting first baseman for the Lowell Spinners.

"He is a Red Sox-type of hitter," said Spinners manager Gary DiSarcina. "He works counts and is not afraid to hit with two strikes. I get a good view of him from the third base coaching box and he has a very sweet swing."

Growing up in South Carolina, McGuiness was destined to attend the Citadel from a very young age, even if he didn't know it.

"The school is just five minutes from my home," said the James Island, S.C., native. "(Assistant coach) Dave Beckley was a family friend and we went to the same church. Every week we'd see him at church and, from the time I was 8-years-old, he would always ask me if I wanted to be a Bulldog. I always said I didn't know about the military, and a few times I just outright said no.

"But the Citadel is very big back home. It's very prestigious, and the alumni take care of each other. And I played traveling baseball with (head coach) Fred Jordan's son. Between that, the baseball and the money they gave me, it really worked out.

The Citadel has an impressive baseball tradition. It has sent six players to the major leagues, including Dallas McPherson who played first base for the Florida Marlins last season. But attending the school also meant he would have to live the military lifestyle, even if he did not plan to join the military following college.

"It's strict there," he said. "Everything is scheduled to the minute. You are up at 6:30 a.m., and by 7:15 everyone at the college has to report for formation where everyone gets in a square. Then everyone has to go to breakfast. They check and if you don't, they go get you and there are punishments. You have class from 8-12, then baseball, and from 7-10 it is mandatory study time.

"We had to take ROTC classes, and it was tough because it wasn't something I wanted to pursue. It was like having to take a math classes when you are bad at math. It was really difficult, but we tried to get as many athletes in the same classes as possible."

Life on the baseball field was also tough early on. As a freshman, he appeared in 45 games, but hit just .252 with two home runs and 23 RBIs. He then rebounded as a sophomore, starting 55 games and hitting .276 with 10 homers and 41 RBIs.

"Freshman year was rough," said the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder. "Sophomore year I delivered better numbers, but I knew I had a lot to work on. Junior year, everything clicked."

This spring, McGuiness erupted for the Bulldogs. He hit .367 with 15 home runs and 59 RBIs. He also led all of NCAA baseball in walks with 65, one better than Danny Muno of Fresno State.

Also a stellar student, the business major earned a 3.92 grade-point average and was named to the ESPN Academic All-American first team. But his focus was on baseball.

"I had heard from a few teams and had an idea where I could be drafted," he said. "I was waiting and hoping to be selected by the right team. I turned down one team, and fortunately, the Red Sox selected me."

Boston drafted McGuiness in the 13th round, selection No. 408 overall. He signed right away and was sent to Lowell. In 18 starts for the Spinners heading into yesterday's game, the 21-year-old was hitting .215 (14 of 65) with two home runs, tied for the team-high, and 11 RBIs, tied for second on the squad. He admitted it was difficult adjusting to a wooden bat.

"He went through a phase for two weeks where he was hitting into a lot of bad luck," said DiSarcina. "But he has good power, gets good extension and is hitting the ball hard. He is also never overcome by frustration."

After all, he has learned dedication and discipline.

"It was very structured at the Citadel," he said. "It was similar to minor league ball. People say, 'You missed out on the college life.' Yeah, I did, but when they were drinking I was doing something constructive and beneficial. I don't regret it."