Wednesday March 27th, 2024
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An interview with pitcher Mark Urbain

Mark Urbain

USSSA Playing History

GoSoftball.com Player Page

Who are you playing with in 2012?
Undecided currently
    
Why do you like the game of softball?
I like the competitive atmosphere of the game and more importantly I value the friendships that I have made through this game.
    
Who is the best softball player you have ever seen play?

Brett Helmer.   For a little guy he can play infield, outfield, pitch, and hit a little bit!  In my opinion, the greatest ambassador in the game of softball.  I've never seen someone take the time out and speak to so many people and actually care.   Also, he knows all the best places to eat on the road!
    
What is your nickname in softball?
Melon
    
Where do you call home?
My lovely wife Erin and I live in Lake Ridge, Va, close to Washington, DC.   Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania
    
What do you do for a living?
IT Sales
    
Did you play sports in High School / College / Pro?
Wrestled through my mid 20’s, baseball
    
How did you get your start in softball and how did you get to the upper level?
My start came early as my dad played unlimited arc back in the day.
I’ve played with some great sponsors in my days.   Played for Ed Augustine with Paramount Builders, Paul Dressler with Benfield, Travis Taylor, TaylorMade, Pierre Alfred, Laser Vision.  Dan Smith and Eddie Menossee not only great sponsors but card sharks as well!  Dave Watanabe…  
    
What position do you play?
Pitch and infield
    
What do you do in the offseason to improve your pitching?  
Honestly it’s just pitching BP to friends and playing some off season tourneys.
    
What is your best piece of advice you could give an up and coming pitcher?
Best advice, wear a helmet and shin guards.   Also, repetition is key and watch Purcell.   He is the best for a reason
    
What batting grip do you use?
Pinky on the knob
    
What is your favorite sports team?
Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, and Penn State
    
What is your favorite sport other than softball?
Football
    
Do you have any superstitions and if so, what are they?
Always build a pile of dirt behind my back foot.  All mental but still do it.  
    
What is your most memorable softball moment?

Winning the B worlds this year with Watanabe.   We started the year of 0-4 in Florida and ended it 5-0.   Great time with a great bunch of guys and sponsors.
    
Is slowpitch softball a sport or a game?
It’s a sport.
    
What is the best improvement upper level softball could make?
They are on the right track with the bat testing and the conference, just need to continue to tweak it.
    
What is your favorite non-World tournament?
Smokey without a doubt.
    
What is the funniest thing you have ever seen on a softball field?
We are playing the Smokey in 2005 or 2006 with TaylorMade, still ASA, at Maryville College baseball field and our sponsor Travis Taylor keeps saying that he can’t understand why we can’t get a hit on that big field.   We all tell him to get a bat and he is up.   He proceeds to deep fly out to first base, love you Travis, and chokes on the bat.   We all lost it.


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