By Paul Gotham

When Pat Urckfitz took the mound on August 21st, the outing was not unlike many of his previous performances. The left-hander came on in relief and tossed an inning and a third of shutout ball. The difference this time was that the native of Penfield, New York did his work for the Lancaster Jet Hawks of the Class A Advanced California League. 

Urckfitz took the hill in a set up role as the Jet Hawks downed the Visalia Rawhide, 9-2. 

After a successful stint with the Lexington Legends, the Class A affiliate of the Houston Astros, Urckfitz learned of his promotion while on the road with Legends. 

“I was a little surprised,” said Urckfitz. “My stuff is back in Lexington. I’ll have to take a plane back when our season is over to get my things.” 

The southpaw led the Legends’ pitching staff in appearances (42) and saves (13). In 49 innings of work Urckfitz compiled a 4-1 record with a 2.57 ERA while striking out 42 and walking 13. Urckfitz earned Legends’ Pitcher-of-the-Month honors for May going 1-0 with four saves and an ERA of 0.71 for the month. 

“I started the season struggling a little,” noted Urckfitz. “It helped my confidence to be able to contribute to the team.” 

In Lexington, the left-hander settled into the closer’s role, but he will have to wait and see what his responsibility is with Lancaster. 

“My role right now is not clear,” mentioned Urckfitz. “I came on one night to throw to a lefty, but on other nights I am in a set up role.” 

Urckfitz noticed a difference in leagues right away. 

“If you make a mistake here, they make you pay,” stated Urckftiz. “In Lexington, I could get away with hanging one over the plate. I can’t do that here.” 

The 21-year old already has his plans for the Fall. 

“When the California League ends on the seventh, I’ll have about ten days off before I head back to Florida again for the instructional league.” 

“If they don’t think much of you, they don’t invite you,” said Webster Yankee Coach Dave Brust of the invite to fall league. “It’s an investment.” 

Urckfitz led Monroe Community College to a third place finish in 2008 NJCAA tournament tossing 11.3 innings of relief surrendering just one run while striking out 15. 

Before signing as a free agent with the Astros, Urckfitz fanned 25 in 14.2 innings of work with the Webster Yankees of the New York Collegiate Baseball League. Opposing batters hit a paltry .207 against the lefty. 

From there Urckfitz made 15 appearances for the Greeneville Astros of the Rookie Appalachian League fanning 23 in 19 innings of work while notching an ERA of 1.40. The southpaw finished 1-0 with three saves for the campaign.

By Paul Casey Gotham

Sometimes, you never who’s going to pick up on the other end of the line.

As part of my volunteer responsibilities for the Webster Yankees of the New York Collegiate Baseball League, I write weekly articles for the town newspaper.  Usually these pieces introduce the college athletes coming this season.  The process involves me contacting athletic departments at various schools, so I might acquire photos of the players.  

I also keep track of our alums.

Today, I did a little leg work getting some info on Pat Urckfitz.  The former Webster Yankee is now playing for the Lexington Legends of the South Atlantic League.  I googled the team site in search of some action photos of ‘Urck’ and a phone number for a quick interview with the team’s head coach.  

I scanned the listing of the team staff .  One name caught my eye.  Hmmm…are they serious?  Is this supposed to be a joke?

I decided to call the organization’s main number.  A woman answered.  I introduced myself and explained the reason for my call.  ”Okay,” she said.  ”You’re going to want to talk to Ty.” 

She said the name kind of quickly.  Maybe I was mistaken.

The phone rang and the voice on the other end introduced himself.

I hesitated. “You’re serious,” I said.

Obviously, he had heard responses like this before as he chuckled out loud.

“Yeah, and I was born on his birthday.”

What are the chances?

Not every day one gets to talk to someone employed in professional baseball whose name is…Ty Cobb.