Lipetz started playing baseball at age 10. After serving in the Israel Defense Forces, he played at San Diego Mesa College, becoming the second Israeli to play college baseball (after Dan Rothem). While in college, he improved his fastball from 66 mph to 88 mph. Transferring to UC San Diego his junior year, he led the staff in ERA with a 5-0, 2.84 record and three saves; he walked just 3 in 38 innings. In 2005, the senior went 2-4 with 7 saves and a 4.42 ERA as UCSD's closer.
Lipetz stayed in the US, teaching at a Jewish school then working as the music programmer for City Winery in New York. He has continued to play baseball, primarily in semipro leagues in New York against primarily Dominicans and Puerto Ricans. He played for the Netanya Tigers in the 2007 Israel Baseball League, going 3-1 with a save and a team-best 0.98 ERA (no pitcher with 5+ IP had a better ERA in the whole circuit). He struck out 30 and walked 3 while allowing 17 hits in 27 2/3 IP. Among those he outpitched was former minor leaguer Rafael Rojano (6.32).
In the 2008 European Championship Qualifiers, Lipetz led Israel in wins (2-0, 2.63). He allowed three runs in a relief inning against Croatia (which won the pool), tossed a 10-inning, 4-hit complete game to beat Lithuania 2-1 and got another win in relief against Serbia (5 K, 5 H, 2 HBP, 4 R, ER in 2 2/3 IP). He led that qualifier in victories and tied for second in strikeouts (behind Ernesto Pereira).
Back with Israel for the 2011 European Championship Qualifiers, he beat Georgia in the opener with a strong outing (7 IP, 3 H, 1 UER, 0 BB, 9 K).
Tune in each week on 540 am in NY NJ CT and streaming on www.sportstalknylive.com at 7pm Sundays for the live broadcast.Please take a moment to like our fan page WLIE 540 AM SPORTSTALKNY and follow us on twitter @sportstalkny