GARY, Ind. — The Gary SouthShore RailCats and IBN Sports today announced they have renewed their partnership for 2009, bringing live streaming video of every RailCats home game free to fans across the world for the second year in a row.

All 48 RailCats home games and all home playoff games will be broadcast on the IBN Sports Baseball Channel, beginning with the RailCats 2009 home opener, Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. against Joliet.  The RailCats and IBN Sports initiated their partnership during the 2008 season and fans were able to watch some great moments – like the RailCats dramatic playoff-clinching win August 23 – live on the web.

Fans can watch RailCats games on the IBN Sports Baseball Channel for free by visiting the RailCats all-new website, www.railcatsbaseball.com, or www.IBNSports.com.  Watching RailCats baseball on the IBN Baseball Channel is free and there is no sign-up required.  Fans will be treated to live video in addition to the RailCats nightly audio broadcast with Andy Viano.

“The response to our streaming video in 2008 was tremendous,” RailCats General Manager Roger Wexelberg said.  “Having a free video broadcast of our games is another way for our fans to take in RailCats baseball, and we are pleased to be partnered with IBN Sports again to give those fans the best possible product.”

The Baseball Channel on IBN Sports covered nearly 300 independent minor league baseball games in 2008, and that number will increase in 2009.  IBN Sports partnered with the RailCats and Kansas City T-Bones in the Northern League last season, along with teams in the Frontier League and Golden League.

“We are proud to have the RailCats back with us in 2009,” IBN Baseball Executive Producer Ed Hart said.  “We received outstanding feedback from the RailCats during the 2008 season and are thrilled to continue this partnership.  The RailCats have been instrumental in the growth of the IBN Baseball Channel.”

IBN Sports is the premier destination for live internet sports programming.  Sports fans who visit www.IBNSports.com can watch full-screen, high-definition (HD) videos live and on-demand from a wide range of professional and amateur sports, including baseball, cycling, boxing, surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, motocross, ultimate fighting and more.

Season tickets, group packages, mini-plans and flex tickets for the 2009 season at U. S. Steel Yard are available now by calling the RailCats at 219.882.2255.  Tickets are also on sale now for the RailCats first-ever Fan Fest, Saturday, February 21 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.