Railcats Announce Staff Additions and Promotions for 2019 Season

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary SouthShore RailCats are proud to announce several staff additions and promotions for the 2019 season.

Lyter Promoted to Salvi Sports Prez, Flenner Hired as RailCats GM

Gary SouthShore RailCats (Independent Professional, American Association) General Manager Brian Lyter has been promoted to President of Salvi Sports Enterprises, while the RailCats have hired Brian Flenner as General Manager.  Read more here.

New Year-Round Restaurant to Open at U.S. Steel Yard

Two northwest Indiana restaurateurs are set next month to open a year-round restaurant in the U.S. Steel Yard, home of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (Independent Professional, American Association). R&R Sports Bar & Grill will be the second restaurant for Dwayne Rancifer and DetrickRoss, which also own R&R Caribbean Jerk Chicken in East Chicago.  Read more here.

Talking Ballpark Maintenance in Gary

The Gary (IN) Common Council fell one vote shy of giving its approval to an ordinance that would have allocated money to pay for the maintenance and cleaning of the city-owned ballpark used by the Gary SouthShore RailCats (Independent Professional, American Association).  Read more here.

RailCats, Boomers, Navigators Owner Named Top 10 Super Lawyer

Patrick A. Salvi, owner of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association, Independent Professional), Schaumburg Boomers (Frontier League, Independent Professional), and North Shore Navigators (Futures League, Summer Collegiate), has been selected to the Illinois Super Lawyers Top 10 List for 2017.  This is his fourth year receiving the honor.  Learn more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: U.S. Steel Yard (Gary, IN)

Brian Merzbach from BallparkReviews.com recently visited U.S. Steel Yard, the home of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (Independent Professional, American Association).  View photos and review here.

City Expected to Approve Maintenance Reimbursement, Receive 2015 Lease Payment

The Gary (IN) Common Council will be asked next week to approve a payment to the Gary South Shore Rail Cats (Independent Professional, American Association) baseball team to cover the costs of maintaining the city-owned U.S. Steel Yard baseball stadium.  Read more here.

RailCats Set to Welcome 2 Millionth Fan Wednesday

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary South Shore RailCats are set to welcome the franchise’s 2 millionth fan through the turnstiles of the US Steel Yard on Wednesday July 29th when the club takes on the St. Paul Saints at 7:10pm.

RailCats Release 2015 Promotional Schedule

PRESS RELEASE – The three-time league champion Gary SouthShore RailCats have just announced their 2015 promotional schedule at U. S. Steel Yard, which opens on Thursday, May 21^st at 7:10pm vs. the Quebec Capitales of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball. Single game tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, April 10. RailCats fans can enjoy eight giveaways, two special jerseys auctions

RailCats Go ‘Back to the Future’ with Themed Jerseys June 13th

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary SouthShore RailCats and the Hobart Jaycees will be bringing fans back to 1985 and 1955 with a “Back to the Future” Night on June 13th, celebrating the seminal movie’s 30th anniversary.

RailCats Announce Inaugural Baseball, Brews & Blues Craft Beer Festival

PRESS RELEASE – This Spring, U. S. Steel Yard will become the home of the inaugural Baseball, Brews & Blues craft beer festival to jump start the RailCats 2015 season.

RailCats Tab Lyter as New General Manager

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary SouthShore RailCats have promoted assistant general manager Brian Lyter to the position of general manager. The announcement was made Wednesday by Pete Laven, president of Salvi Sports Enterprises.

Replica Championship Ring Giveaway Highlights RailCats Opening Homestand

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary SouthShore RailCats defense of their 2013 American Association title begins with an eventful Opening Day at the U. S. Steel Yard on Thursday, May 22nd vs. last season’s championship series opponent Wichita Wingnuts at 7:10 pm.

Owner Speaks About Operating the RailCats

Patrick A. Salvi, owner of the indy pro Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association), spoke Monday during the Gary Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon.  In addition to providing details about operating the franchise, Salvi stated the team is completing a new marquee to enhance its visibility along the expressway and installing a new video board to bolster the fan experience at U.S. Steel Yard.  Read more here.

RailCats Hire New AGM

PRESS RELEASE – David Kay joins the RailCats as Assistant General Manager and Director of Tickets for the 2014 season. 2014 will be David’s 9th season working in professional baseball.

Laven to Remain as RailCats GM in 2014

Pete Laven, president of Salvi Sports Enterprises, took over the role of interim general manager of the indy pro Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association) in September after GM Kevin Spudic left the team.  Laven has reportedly informed team owner Pat Salvi that he’ll keep the job through the 2014.  Read more here.

RailCats’ GM Resigns

Kevin Spudic, president and general manager of the indy pro Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association), has announced his resignation.  Pete Laven, president of Salvi Sports Enterprises, will serve as interim general manager and lead the search for Spudic’s successor.  Read more here.

U. S. Steel Signs 10-Year Pact to Retain Stadium Naming Rights

PRESS RELEASE – U.S. Steel and the Gary SouthShore RailCats have reached a new 10-year naming rights agreement, keeping U. S. Steel Yard the name of the RailCats’ home stadium through the 2022 season.

Pete Laven Named President of Salvi Sports Enterprises

PRESS RELEASE – Salvi Sports Enterprises, LLC will be adding a new leader to its roster. Pete Laven has been named President of Salvi Sports, which owns and operates two minor league professional baseball franchises in the Chicagoland area and a collegiate summer baseball team in Massachusetts. Mr. Laven brings 20 years of professional baseball experience and most-recently served

Foul Ball Lawsuit Fails

In a 14-page decision, the Indiana Court of Appeals has ruled against a plaintiff who filed a lawsuit after being hit and injured by a foul ball during an indy pro Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association) game.  Read more here.  View ruling here.

Historic NCAA Regional a Success at U.S. Steel Yard

PRESS RELEASE – History was made this past weekend as U. S. Steel Yard hosted it’s first-ever NCAA Regional. Host school Purdue University was joined by Kentucky, Kent State and Valparaiso in the double-elimination tournament. Kent State defeated Kentucky 3-2 in the final to win the Regional and advance to the national round of 16, also known as the Super Regionals.

U.S. Steel Yard Turns 10, RailCats Talk To Dos

It is hard to believe that U.S. Steel Yard, home of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association), is already 10-years old, but it is.  Now it’s time to start thinking about a little upkeep and updating, including a new field and scoreboard, and renewing the ballpark’s naming rights deal.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Railcats, Boomers Owner Becomes Partner in Martha’s Vineyard Franchise

PRESS RELEASE – Salvi Sports Enterprises, LCC announced today that Patrick Salvi has become a partner in one of the premier summer collegiate baseball franchises, the Martha’s Vineyard Sharks.  Located in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, Salvi joins other franchise owners, including well known Hollywood actor Bill Murray, Sharks President Hannah Schley, and Van Schley, one of the founding members of modern

RailCats New GM: Development Needed Around Ballpark

Kevin Spudic, the new president and general manager of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association), is now knee-deep in the job doing what is necessary to keep the team’s brand strong and growing the fanbase, but the lack of development around U.S. Steel Yard remains one of his concerns.  Read more here.

RailCats Bowling League…Yes, Bowling League…Strikes Up Again

PRESS RELEASE – The RailCats Family Bowling League returns in February to Stardust Bowl II in Merrillville. The league includes great giveaways for all bowlers and the first place team will win a free night in a Luxury Suite at a RailCats 2012 home game!

RailCats GM Named GM of New Schaumburg Club

PRESS RELEASE – Pat and Lindy Salvi are proud to officially announce that baseball is back in Schaumburg, as they have purchased a 100% stake in the professional baseball franchise that will compete at Alexian Field beginning in May 2012. The owners of the Gary (Ind.) SouthShore RailCats since 2008, the Salvi’s bring a proven track record of on and off-field success to the Northwest suburbs.

RailCats Demolish Weekend Attendance Record

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary SouthShore RailCats capped off the highest-attended weekend of baseball in Northwest Indiana with a new single-game record crowd of 8,208 on hand to enjoy a night of family fun and baseball as the RailCats fell to the St. Paul Saints 7-4 Sunday afternoon.

New Owner in Schaumburg

We’re a few days late here, but Alan Oremus, owner of the indy pro Joliet Slammers (Frontier League) has sold his rights to the new team in Schaumburg (IL) to Pat Salvi, owner of the Gary SouthShore RailCats (American Association).  The new club will apparently begin play in the Frontier League in 2012, rather than the American Association as previously reported.  Read more here.  Thanks to Eddie Utley for the link.

Blackhawks Night in Gary Saturday

PRESS RELEASE – Gary SouthShore RailCats will celebrate Blackhawks Night at U. S. Steel Yard featuring Hockey Hall of Famer and Chicago Blackhawks Ambassador Denis Savardas well as a Hockey Puck Giveaway to the first 1,000 fans courtesy of the Post-Tribune on Saturday, August 27 at 6:10 p.m.

RailCats, UAW Team Up to Shatter Attendance Record

PRESS RELEASE – In conjunction with United Auto Workers Local 551 and Local 588, the Gary SouthShore RailCats will set franchise single-game attendance records as they treat the hard-working men and women of the Ford Motor Company to two days full of fun and entertainment at U. S. Steel Yard on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28.

RailCats Welcome Competitive Eater

PRESS RELEASE – The man who once challenged a Kodiak bear in an eating contest on television, Takeru Kobayashi is taking his competitive eating talents, which earned him six consecutive Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest titles, to U. S. Steel Yard on Wednesday, August 17 when the Gary SouthShore RailCats take on the Shreveport

RailCats Redefine Fun with 2011 Promotions

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary SouthShore RailCats entire 2011 Promotional Calendar is available now after the ‘Cats announced Phase Seven today. The RailCats look to build on the foundation of fun, affordable family entertainment by taking the ballpark experience to the highest level and enhancing the atmosphere and environment at U. S. Steel Yard at all 50 home games. The RailCats are bringing back a number

RailCats Unveil Promtional Calendar: Phase Three

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary SouthShore RailCats have plenty of exciting theme nights planned for third homestand of the season, June 16-23, and have announced the third phase of the crowded 2011 Promotional Schedule.

RailCats Photo Contest, Win a Luxury Suite

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary SouthShore RailCats are offering fans a second chance to win a luxury suite at a RailCats home game with the 2011 version of the Fan Photo Contest, presented by the Post-Tribune. The RailCats also welcome manager Greg Tagert, hitting coach Mick Curran and former hitting coach Kenny Graham to the celebrity lineup at Fan Fest on February 5.

American Association Could Grow by at Least Four

At least four teams from the indy pro Northern League could join the American Association in time for the 2011 season, including the Winnipeg Goldeyes, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Kansas City T-Bones, and Gary SouthShore RailCats.

Hoosier Fight Club Showdown at the Steel Yard Set for June 11

PRESS RELEASE – The burgeoning sport of mixed martial arts is coming to U. S. Steel Yard this summer when the Hoosier Fight Club presents The Showdown at The Steel Yard Friday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. featuring Portage’s own John Kolosci in the main event, and tickets are on sale now.

RailCats 2010 Promo Schedule Jam-Packed with Fun

PRESS RELEASE – The Gary SouthShore RailCats 2010 promotional calendar is overflowing with must-have giveaways, celebrated entertainers and great discounts every night of the week at U. S. Steel Yard.

Chicago-area Indy Teams Provide Fans with Affordable Options

In challenging economic times, the independent professional teams around Chicago are holding their own.  The Northern League’s Gary SouthShore RailCats and Schaumburg Flyers both saw modest per game average attendance increases over last year.  The ‘Cats were up 70 per game to 3,539, while the Flyers were up 96 per game to 4,394.  The league’s Joliet Jackhammers dropped 597 per game, but their 3,250 average is still respectable.  The biggest surprise has to be the Frontier League’s Windy City Thunderbolts, which jumped up 465 fans per game last year to an average of 2,252 in 2009.  Read more here.