(Story Marco Stoovelaar; Photos by Henk Seppen)
 Nick Urbanus returns to play for Amsterdam Pirates
...Nick Urbanus returns on the roster...
...of L&D Amsterdam Pirates...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
Nederlands
 AMSTERDAM (Neth.) -
Nick Urbanus has returned home and will play for L&D Amsterdam Pirates this season.
The infielder was released towards the end of March by the Texas Rangers, the organization where he has played professionally since 2011.
After learning he had been released, Urbanus stayed in the States for some ten additional days to decide on his future.
And of course hoping that other clubs might be interested in picking him up.
In the end, the middle infielder returned home to Amsterdam.
There, he has now joined his former team L&D Amsterdam Pirates, which will open the Dutch big league-season on Thursday, April 16.
,,Yes, I can confirm that he will be back with the team'', Charles Urbanus, Head Coach of Amsterdam Pirates (and father of Nick) said today (Friday, April 10).
Nick Urbanus will make his return in the Amsterdam-squad this coming weekend.
Amsterdam Pirates then will play in the second edition of the Loek Loevendie Tournament at its home site in Amsterdam.
On Saturday (April 11), the team meets reigning champion Curaçao Neptunus at 2 PM.
Starting at 11 AM, Neptunus plays against Corendon Kinheim.
Then, on Sunday, the day begins with the match-up between Kinheim and Mampaey The Hawks.
The event closes in the afternoon with the game between Amsterdam and The Hawks, starting at 2 PM.
...Nick Urbanus in his rookie-season...
...with Amsterdam Pirates in 2009...
(© Photo: Henk Seppen) |
The 23-year old Urbanus made his professional debut in 2011, playing in 50 games in the Rookie League-team of the Rangers in the Arizona League.
In his first professional season, he also earned his first promotion, as he played in one game for the Spokane Indians, the Single-A Short Season-team of the Rangers.
In 2012, the lefthanded hitting Urbanus played the entire season in Single-A.
The following year, Urbanus played the entire season for Hickory.
Last season, Urbanus was bothered somewhat by an injury, but played the majority of the season again for Hickory.
In 48 games, he batted .212 (35-for-165) with seven doubles and three triples.
He scored 18 runs and batted in eleven, but also played five games in Rookie League again while recovering from his injury.
Before going to the States to start his professional career, Urbanus already had played in the Dutch big league for Amsterdam Pirates.
He appeared in five games during the 2009 season, which also was the year in which he made his debut in the Netherlands National Baseball Team during the World Port Tournament in Rotterdam (Netherlands).
In 2010, he played a full season for Amsterdam Pirates, playing in 42 games, hitting .236.
Last year, Urbanus played for the Netherlands National Team that captured the European title in the European Championship the Czech Republic.
He also played for the Orange squad during the European Championship in 2012.
(April 10)
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