In a series of interviews, we are speaking with the Ottawa Titans, Ottawa’s Frontier League baseball team, as a way to introduce the team to Ottawa, and Ottawa to the team.
Every time Jackie Urbaez comes up to bat, a growing chorus of fans bellow “We love you Jackie!” after the last notes of “Kuliktaka” have fans bouncing in their seats. It’s no secret that he is beloved here in Ottawa and loves us right back.
Urbaez has been playing for the Ottawa Titans for the last three years, moving between infield and outfield easily every time there is a roster shuffle. The 26-year-old from Miami is a consistent and energetic player, with a million-dollar smile that makes him approachable. Even after the most demoralizing losses, Urbaez takes the time to meet and greet fans, sign baseballs and take photos with kids with matching ear-to-ear grins.
Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 29th round of the 2019 MLB draft, Urbaez reached A-level ball before he was released in 2020, coming over to independent baseball in 2021. Only 5’9″, Urbaez is one of the smallest guys on the team, but he is quick on the bases with a laser-precise throwing arm making him the perfect hinge at second base for high-pressure double plays.
So far in 2024, he is hitting .282, with an on-base percentage (OBP) of .414 and leading the team in doubles—which is usually a sign of a player that can hit really hard, and run really fast.
He is also incredibly humble and polite, so you don’t have to meet him to love him, but you definitely won’t be able to help yourself.
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{Interview has been edited for clarity and length.}
Who was your favourite player growing up?
Luis Castillo. He played second base for the Marlins and is the picture-perfect image of who I want to be, or who I dreamt to be.
Who is your MLB team?
Honestly, everybody, but I’m a Marlins fan, and that’s not very hot to say right now, so… but you got to love your team.
Do you follow other sports other than baseball?
Yeah, literally everything out there except cricket. I haven’t been able to get into cricket yet.
What is your favourite baseball memory?
Getting drafted is probably number one right now, and after that, I’ll probably say… winning the State Championship in high school.
What is your walk-up song?
KULIKITAKA by Toño Rosario. It gets the fans going. Everybody enjoys it. It’s, like, very upbeat, so if the fans like it, I got to keep it.
What’s your pregame meal?
Lately, I’ve been on kimchi. It’s pretty good! It’s just white rice, either chicken or beef, switch it up, and then the little kimchi veggies on the side.
What’s your favourite meal?
White rice, black beans, and either steak or chicken, real Dominican food.
What’s your favourite sports movie?
I’ve got to say Hardball.
What’s your favourite day off activity?
Going to the beach or relaxing at home—unwind for that one day, and then pick it back up the next day. I play a lot of video games.
What’s your favourite thing to do in Ottawa
Honestly, I like to explore. So, probably go walk a trail or something and enjoy the scenery, because we don’t have that in Miami. There’s a lot of good Canadian nature here, and I love it.
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing baseball?
Football player, like a running back or a corner.
Where’s your favourite place to play on the road?
Personally, I love anywhere in New York State because the Dominican ambiance is there, and I love that energy.
What is something that people would find surprising about you?
I used to draw when I was younger and was pretty good. But then I just stopped and baseball took over so I didn’t have enough time. But I like sketching every once in a while.
What do you do in the off-season?
I train kids in baseball and football and help my family as much as I can. I get approached by coaches to help train and condition and I like working with the kids.
What’s your dream vacation destination?
I’ll probably say Mykonos, I’ve wanted to go to Greece for a while. And I don’t know why, but I want to go to Alaska, too. They have all the incredible nature up there and I want to see the Northern Lights.
Is there something you’re looking for in Ottawa you haven’t found? Or something you’d like to do more of?
[At this point in the interview, Tyler Jandron pipes in, and the two of them spitball some great ideas that spiral into a hilarious show and tell of middle school art projects.]
I think it’s just connecting with others, like if we can get on the Red Blacks field and throw, hang out, and meet the guys. And the same with hockey, because we’re fans of sports. We’re fans of professional people who are good at what they do, so that would be fun. There’s more chances for us to advertise ourselves as well, and we get to have fun with being grown adults playing a game, because you know, we’re just being kids and playing sports.
Getting to go to different things, even if it’s a drawing class, or a wine and painting night, or something like that. That’d be dope, get to enjoy ourselves and meet people.
( So, invite Jackie and Tyler Jandron to your next paint and sip night—I promise it will be a great time!)
The Ottawa Titans play at Ottawa Stadium on Coventry Road. Advance tickets for Titans games can be bought online or at the box office.
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