GARY, Ind. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats are almost through the first half of the Northern League season and are getting ready for the second half of the year at U. S. Steel Yard. The RailCats will have two big nights to start the second half when they welcome Hall of Fame Pitcher Ferguson Jenkins to their ballpark, and do their part to help the environment.

Monday, July 13, the RailCats will host the Kansas City T-Bones at 7 p.m. as Jenkins will be at U. S. Steel Yard. Lucky fans will have the chance of a lifetime as the RailCats will give contestants an opportunity to hit off of the former Cy Young Award winner. Ten fans will be selected randomly for a shot at home run derby with Jenkins pitching. Wood bats will be used and any fan who hits a home run off Jenkins will win $1000. Jenkins will also be available to sign autographs and talk with fans during his night at U. S. Steel Yard. The RailCats will also feature Dollar Monday, presented by NIEMI Associates. Hot dogs, sodas, popcorn, programs and more will cost just $1 while other great deals will be featured around the ballpark. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Home run hopefuls can sign up on the stadium concourse throughout the remainder of the first-half closing homestand. Radio One Communications will also be holding call-in contests on three major radio stations to find contestants for the evening. Fans can listen into Indiana 105 (105.5 FM), X-Rock 103.9 (103.9 FM), and Z-107 (107.1 FM) for more details regarding their call-in contests.

Jenkins is a three-time Major League All-Star and the 1971 National League Cy Young winner. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.

Tuesday, July 14, the RailCats invite the community to help the environment on Go Green Night. “Green” businesses around the area will be informing fans how they can be more energy efficient all night long and the RailCats will hold potting contests on the concourse. In conjunction with the RailCats, Hubinger Landscaping Co. will give the first 500 fans a free perennial plant and those who come to the park either wearing green or who donate to Goodwill receive $2 off each ticket purchased at the box office. Goodwill is North America’s leading non-profit provider in services for people with disadvantages such as homelessness, welfare dependency, or disability. More information on Goodwill is available at www.goodwill.org. Gates open at 6 p.m. and businesses who are interested in participating in Go Green Night can contact Community Relations Manager Laura Blakely at (219) 882-2255.

These two nights will begin a seven-game homestand at U. S. Steel Yard with tickets available through the entire week at the stadium box office or at www.railcatsbaseball.com.