CALIFORNIA, Pa. — Aaron Ordy had no idea where he would call home this summer.

A sophomore second baseman on the California (Pa.) University baseball team, Ordy was searching for places to play baseball this summer.

He was contemplating playing in a league in North Carolina, but he found he didn't have to go nearly that far.

After a couple phone calls with Butler BlueSox general manager and majority owner Leo Trich, Ordy found a baseball home in his own backyard.

"I'm really pumped," Ordy said. "You can't beat being able to play at a high level, plus in front of your family and friends."

Ordy certainly has the chops to play in the Prospect League.

The Butler graduate bounced back from a disappointing freshman year at Cal to post a .339 batting average and 22 RBI this season for the Vulcans, who are waiting to see if they will receive a bid into the NCAA Division II tournament.

"Last year didn't go the way I wanted it to go," said Ordy, who hit .275 with nine RBI in 2008. "I wanted to go out this season and be one of the best players in the (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference). I feel like I did that."

Ordy hopes to make the PSAC first team as a second baseman this year. That was one of his goals.

He also hopes to make an impact with his new team this summer.

"I want to prove that I can perform at this level," Ordy said. "I want to come in and show I can hit anything against pitchers from big Division I schools down to guys from the Division III level. I want everyone to know that just because you are in Division II, it doesn't mean you can't play at a high level."

Ordy batted .345 during his senior season at Butler despite playing with a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery.

He hit .400 as a junior with the Golden Tornado.

Ordy had a chance to play at Pullman Park in high school, but that was before the extensive renovation.

"It's a beautiful field," Ordy said. "And, as an infielder, I love the artificial turf. It makes you look that much better."

Ordy worked hard last summer to improve his game.

"I spent a lot of time in the weight room," Ordy said. "And I spent extra time before practice and after practice fielding ground balls. I put in that extra effort."

He also played in a wooden bat league last summer.

The Prospect League also uses wooden bats.

Some have a harder time than others adjusting to wooden bats after hitting with aluminum ones.

Ordy sees it as a challenge.

"It's definitely different," Ordy said. "But it's something I look forward to because using a wooden bat really tests your skill as a hitter. If you can hit with a wooden bat at this level, you will get noticed."

Ordy already is eager to get started.

But he'll have to wait until June 1, when the BlueSox will hold their first practice.

Butler's first game is June 4.

"I can't wait, to tell you the truth," Ordy said. "I talked to other guys who have played at that level and they tell me there is nothing like it. The crowd really pumps you up and you have that spotlight and that excitement.

"It lets you know what it might be like playing at the next level."