Joe Hindelang used to drag the infield at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science by himself before practice and games. He tied a screen he had the college make according to his own design to the back of his Mazda GLC and drove across the field.

He wanted the field, set deep in a tough neighborhood in West Philly, to be in the best condition possible. And he sacrificed his car to do it.

"I get to the mechanic's and he just gives me this look," Hindelang said. "He tells me I have to stay away from the dirt because it's crusting up on the bottom of my car and ruining it."

He kept dragging the field.

Hindelang's passion for the game was again evident on Sunday when he got his 500th career win at Virginia. After arguing a call at first base, the Penn State skipper was tossed for the first time in six years.

"It's not something I'm proud of," he said. "But I thought they were giving Virginia the advantage, and our team is already up against a lot, so I just went ballistic."

But after his team rallied for a 7-6 victory in extra-innings, Hindelang got the game ball and praise from his players.

"It's such a milestone for him," pitcher Pete Yodis said. "He'll never admit it, but it's huge. It's proof of what a great coach he really is."

Hindelang looks at it a little differently.

"It proves I've been coaching too long," he said.

Hindelang began his career with a 4-0 win over Philadelphia Bible College as coach of Philadlephia College of Pharmacy and Science. After a stint at Lafayette and 499 wins later, Hindelang has touched countless lives.

He's the prototypical Penn State coach; he cares more about teaching and helping his players become better people than he does about winning.

"He's always giving us ways to have a positive outlook on both life and baseball," first baseman Donnie Wright said. "It's been such an amazing experience for the five years I've spent here. It has meant a lot to learn from coach."

The Penn State baseball team has risen to new heights under the tutelage of Hindelang. It advanced to Super Regionals for the first time last season, and continues to develop into a Big Ten powerhouse.

Hindelang was named Mideast Region Coach of the Year for the job he did last season.

But for him it's about two things. First, it's really about the kids. And then, it's about baseball.

"I'm blessed that I get to work with these great kids," he said. "And I get to coach baseball. It really is a dream. I've been so lucky."

So lucky, in fact, that he doesn't even have to drag the infield himself anymore.