RailCats Sign Urvalek; Switch Browns on DL
Published on June 12, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY â The Gary SouthShore RailCats (Northern League) have activated OF Billy Brown from the disabled list. Brown missed 13 games after fracturing his left wrist while attempting to make a diving catch in a game against Lincoln on May 27. Before the injury, Brown batted .281 â 2 HR â 4 RBIs in 8 games.
The RailCats have placed OF Mike Brown on the disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle. Brown suffered the injury in his final at-bat in the completion of Thursday's suspended game.
The RailCats have signed rookie RHP Mike Urvalek. Urvalek, a product of Ithaca College, will make his professional debut with the RailCats. As a senior at Ithaca College in 2003, Urvalek went 5-3 with a 2.53 ERA (the lowest by a Bomber starter), struck out 50 batters in 64.0 innings, earned Empire 8 Pitcher of the Week honors the last week of the regular season, and was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) New York Region all-star team and the honorable mention Empire 8 all-conference team. Urvalek was signed by the Evansville Otters of the independent Frontier League on January 21, 2004, but was released on May 18, prior to the start of the regular season. Ithaca College is also the alma mater of former RailCats pitchers Sazi Guthrie and Jake Upwood, whose contracts were sold to the San Diego Padres during the off-season.
The RailCats host Kansas City Saturday night at U. S. Steel Yard, in the third of a four-game series, part of a six-game homestand for the RailCats. RailCats LHP Tony O'Donnell (1-2, 4.50 ERA) will be opposed by T-Bones RHP Caleb Balbuena (1-0, 5.79 ERA). Saturday is Rusty the RailCat Bobblehead Doll Giveaway Night. Each of the first 1,000 kids (age 13 & under) will receive a Rusty the RailCat bobblehead doll, courtesy of Bennigan's and Indiana 105. There will also be a live performance from the band Misbehavin' immediately following the game. (First pitch: 6 p.m.) The game will also be broadcast on the RailCats Radio Network, including WEFM 95.9, WJOB 1230 AM, and www.sportsjuice.com..
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The Gary SouthShore RailCats are the professional minor league baseball team serving Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. The RailCats' 96-game Northern League schedule in 2004 includes 48 home games at U. S. Steel Yard, a charming, state-of-the-art ballpark, conveniently located next to the Indiana Toll Road (I-90), with easy access from I-65, I-80/94 and the Chicago Skyway. U. S. Steel Yard has been named "Best New Ballpark" by Chicago Magazine. For information about season tickets, mini-season ticket plans, group outings, and creative sponsorship packages, call the RailCats at (219) 882-BALL, or visit the RailCats web site at www.railcatsbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from June 12, 2004
- Flyers take out Explorers - Schaumburg Flyers
- Mazone pitches second shutout of the season - Sioux Falls Canaries
- JackHammers, Mazone shutout Canaries - Joliet JackHammers
- T-Bones tally two wins over RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Canaries Acquire Last Season's Rookie of the Year - Sioux Falls Canaries
- RailCats Sign Urvalek; Switch Browns on DL - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- T-Bones rally over RailCats - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- Flyers and Explorers split twin bill - Schaumburg Flyers
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