Katsumi Ukai

Katsumi Ukai (鵜飼 勝美)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 156 lb.

• High School Kyoei Shogyo High School

• Born November 11, 1932 in Ichinomiya, Aichi Japan

BR register page

Biographical Information

Katsumi Ukai played in Nippon Pro Baseball for 11 seasons.

Ukai was signed by the Kokutetsu Swallows in 1952, but he spent his first two seasons primarily in the NPB Farm Leagues, only having 18 at-bats with the big club. He hit .247/.267/.331 as an infield utility man in 1954, and his batting line was .260/.278/.333 in 1955. The Swallows turned him into an outfielder in 1956, and he played all 130 games while having a .256/.293/.347 batting line. He was also selected into the 1956 NPB All-Star Game, and he was 0-for-1. Ukai slumped to .197/.220/.271 in 1957, then he bounced back in 1958 as his batting line was .231/.248/.328. When Morimichi Iwashita joined the team in 1959, Ukai lost his spot and he had a .190/.252/.281 batting line in 70 games. He had 130 at-bats with a .207/.238/.298 batting line in 1960, then he hit .220/.262/.284 in 1961. He took back the starting right fielder spot in 1962, and he recorded a .235/.283/.282 batting line. However, when Tsuneo Takabayashi shined in 1963, Ikai completely lost his spot and he announced his retirement.

Overall, Ukai hit .230/.261/.309 with 510 hits and 26 homers in 11 seasons in the NPB.

Sources

• NPB site
• Wiki Japan
• 1956 NPB All Star Game