Urban getting paid to play

Tony Altobelli

The 2001 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft came and went and for

Joe Urban, a silent phone was disappointing, but not incredibly

unexpected.

“He was going to stay home until (today) until the MLB Scout Bureau

Tryouts,” Urban’s dad, Joe Sr. said. “In fact, he had already sent out

resumes to two minor league clubs in hopes of landing a tryout.

Then, all of a sudden, RING!

“The Coach of the River Valley Rascals called me up and asked if I

wanted to play for them,” Urban said over the phone. “I was so excited, I

could hardly believe it.”

A plane ride to Ames, Iowa to retrieve his truck and a seven-hour

drive later, Urban, who played at Newport Harbor High and Iowa State

University, was in St. Louis, signing his first-ever professional

baseball contract.

“It was a dream come true,” Urban said.

Today, Urban is in Chillicothe, Ohio, Urban and the Rascals take on

the Chillicothe Paints in the Frontier League, a Class-A Independent

League.

“From what I’ve heard, the Frontier is one of the best scouted

Independent Leagues in minor league baseball,” Joe Sr. said. “All of his

games are on the Internet so we follow him that way. We’re so proud of

him.”

After four years of stellar varsity baseball for the Sailors, Urban

played two seasons for Santa Ana College before transferring to Iowa

State.

After a slow junior season and an even slower first-half of his senior

campaign, Urban exploded at the plate and finished with a .354 batting

average, 57 hits, 24 runs scored, 15 doubles, two triples, four home runs

and 29 RBIs for the Cyclones, earning second-team, All-Big 12

recognition.

His hard work is paying off to the tune of $550 per month, plus $12.50

per day in meal money for River City, but in little Joe’s mind, he’s

still playing baseball, which isn’t so bad.

“River City is a great place to play,” Urban, the player, said. “The

people out here love us. We get 4,000-5,000 people every night, which is

awesome.”

For those not familiar with the Frontier League, it’s a two-division

league with teams scattered throughout the Midwest.

In addition to Chillicothe, Urban will get to play against some of the

all-time best baseball nicknamed organizations, such as the Evansville

Otters, the Richmond Roosters, Johnston Johnnies, the Cook County

Cheetahs and, of course, the London Werewolves, among others.

While at River City, Urban’s day consists of getting out of bet around

noon, heading to the ballpark at 2 p.m. for batting cage work and back at

the park at 4 p.m. for batting practice in preparation for the 7 p.m.

contest.

In eight games thus far, Urban is holding his own, hitting .387 (12

for 31) with four runs scored, one double, three RBIs and even a stolen

base.

“He’s off to a fast start, which was very nice to see,” said the proud

papa. “After two years of slow starts, it’s nice to see him hitting

early. He must like the hot weather or something.”

Urban’s professional baseball career began on June 12 against Cook

County. After not reaching base his first at-bat, he, “took a 2-0 pitch

and lined it into center field” for his first hit. He finished the game 3

for 5.

“I’ve got that game ball, that’s for sure,” Urban said. “I’ve

experienced so much the past couple of years out here in the Midwest.

It’s an entirely different lifestyle out here and it’s wonderful.”

If Urban and the Rascals don’t keep the fans coming to the ballpark,

the upcoming promotions will surely do the trick.

Such fan favorites as “Cow Bell Night”, “Father’s Day BBQ Apron

Night”, “Hairbrush and Mirror Set Night” and the “Salute to Duck Tape

Night” will keep the stands heavily occupied.

“I’m now playing bonus baseball,” Urban said. “I’ll play as long as

they allow me to play. Everything from here on out is gravy.”