BUTLER TWP — Thinking about the long term, Butler graduate Bobby Swartwout has decided on California (Pa.) University for the short term.

The slugging first baseman has transferred from West Virginia Wesleyan to California and is enrolled at the latter for the coming semester.

Swartwout reports for orientation Jan. 24 and will be immediately eligible to play baseball for the Vulcans. He has four years of eligibility remaining after red-shirting at W.Va. Wesleyan last spring.

“I recently switched my major to sports management and Cal has an excellent program there,” Swartwout said. “My long-range goal is to play baseball at the next level and California’s program gives me my best shot of getting there.”

Swartwout played fall baseball for W.Va. Wesleyan and led the team with 75 hits while batting .315. He hit a number of doubles and triples, but no home runs.

“We had four fall teams and I was the only first baseman on mine, so I got to play every day,” he said. “It was good to get the at bats.

“Cal’s baseball program is big on fitness and conditioning. I need to get in better shape and they will help me get there.”

Swartwout said he’s already lost 20 pounds and weighs 275 now. He hopes to get down to 260 by the time he begins practice with the Vulcans “and I’ll go from there.”

California finished 26-24 last year. Veteran coach Mike Conte has a record of 450-312 in 16 seasons there, including six PSAC West titles. The Vulcans won the PSAC under Conte in 2004 and 2010.

“We’re excited to get him. He’s a big kid with a big bat,” Conte said of Swartwout. “But how he figures into our plans this spring is impossible to say right now. Things can always change.”

California has a senior first baseman in A.J. Robinson who hit .286 with two homers and 30 RBI last spring. Freshman first baseman David Marcus is from Canada and hit .385 with five homers and 48 RBI for the U-18 Toronto Mets in 2011.

Swartwout hit .356 with two homers, 13 RBI and a .461 on-base percentage as a senior at Butler in 2011.

“I know I won’t be handed a position and I wouldn’t expect that,” Swartwout said. “I want to work hard enough this spring to get on the field somehow and help the team any way I can, whether as a reserve player or whatever.

“It’s nice that I have four years to work with.”

Conte agreed.

“It’s ideal to get a kid in your program for four years from a developmental standpoint,” he said. “There’s always our DH position, too. Any kid who proves he deserves to play will play.”

Swartwout will be joining former Butler teammates Mick Fennell and Alex Ziegler at California. Fennell is there on scholarship while Ziegler is a walk-on.

“It will be nice to reunite with a couple of high school teammates,” Swartwout said. “This will be a nice mix of familar faces and new teammates. I didn’t know anyone at Wesleyan.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to prove myself.”