Pattee willing to be flexible in field for Miracle

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

The first two positions Ben Pattee learned as a youngster might be the only two he will not play as a professional.

Pattee, a 23-year-old utility player for the Fort Myers Miracle of the Florida State League, has played second base, third base, right field, left field and designated hitter so far this season, and he has in previous years logged time at first base and shortstop.

Pattee had yet to make a fielding error entering Thursday's doubleheader on the road against the Sarasota Reds despite the constant switching and uncertainty of where he would be playing defense.

Pattee — it's pronounced Pah-TEE — likely will be in the lineup again at 7:05 tonight at the Lee County Sports Complex, where the Miracle will face the Reds in the first of a five-game homestand that will conclude Sunday, Monday and Tuesday against the Dunedin Blue Jays.

The question usually isn't if Pattee will play, but where.

"I think I could play anywhere," Pattee said. "I'm not afraid. If they told me to catch one day, I would put on the gear and catch. That's the first position I ever played. That and pitcher."

Entering Thursday, Pattee carried a .333 batting average (27-of-81 hits) with nine RBI, 10 walks and nine strikeouts.

The native of Ukiah Valley, Calif., which is just north of San Francisco, played second base in high school.

"When I started playing high school ball, they put me at second base," Pattee said. "I eventually worked my way to shortstop."

From there, Pattee made his way to the University of Minnesota. And while most members of the Miracle aspire to some day play in the Metrodome, home of the big-league Minnesota Twins, Pattee already has achieved that goal.

That's because the Minnesota Gophers play most of their home games at the Metrodome.

"I've played there maybe 100 times," Pattee said. "My junior year, we played 26 games in the 'Dome.' "

The Twins noticed, and although they did not draft Pattee, they signed him as a free agent on June 5, 2003.

Pattee has done well since then. He hit .308 for the Gulf Coast League Twins after signing and appeared in 48 games for the Miracle last season.

"He's probably most comfortable at second base, but he understands that having versatility is an asset," Miracle manager Riccardo Ingram said. "When he's swinging the bat, it's easy to find a place for a guy like that."

Ingram uses Pattee as a spot starter in the field, inserting him when other players need a day off or get hurt. When asked if this type of role would make it tougher on Pattee to earn a promotion to Double-A than the starters, Ingram said he didn't think so.

"In the minor leagues, so many things can happen," Ingram said. "It's just the developmental stage. It's never predetermined what's going to happen."

Pattee said he enjoys his role as a utility player.

"I'm actually most comfortable at third base, but we have Matt Moses over there, and Omar Burgos is real good," he said. "I don't feel uncomfortable anywhere. Every team needs one. As long as I get in the lineup, I just keep my mouth shut and play."