The Gary SouthShore RailCats – the only team in Northern League history to advance to the League Championship Series four years in a row – today released their 2009 schedule, a slate that includes 48 home games at beautiful U. S. Steel Yard.

The RailCats’ eighth season in the Northern League begins May 15 at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, N.D. for the first of four series the ‘Cats will play at the home of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.   The RailCats will, in fact, play 13 of their first 19 games on the road and make a pair of visits to Fargo before the end of May.

The RailCats open U. S. Steel Yard for the 2009 season Monday, May 18 against the Joliet JackHammers at 7 p.m.  Opening night will include a postgame fireworks show and be fans’ first chance to see the RailCats in action since the Northern League Championship Series ended in September.

Games at U. S. Steel Yard will again begin at 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday except on special occasions.  The RailCats will also welcome their one millionth fan to U. S. Steel Yard in 2009, needing only 70,982 visitors to reach the milestone.  The RailCats will be counting down during the opening weeks of the season, with special prizes awaiting whichever fan is lucky number 1,000,000.

One day after opening night, the RailCats will host the first of two Kids Days at the ballpark, squaring off with Joliet at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19.  The annual Kids Days attract thousands of students from Region schools, and include contests, on-field presentations from RailCats coaches and players, and other interactive activities.  The RailCats’ second Kids Day will take place Tuesday, June 2 at 11 a.m., again in a game against Joliet.

The first of eight Fireworks Fridays in 2009 is May 22 at 7 p.m. when the ‘Cats host Fargo-Moorhead.  Again in 2009, each Friday home game will be followed by a spectacular fireworks display.   Likewise, the RailCats have eight Saturday home dates in 2009, and each will again be a premium giveaway night with opportunities for fans to claim a variety of free gifts at the gate.

After their tough opening stretch on the road, the RailCats come home for a three-game series against Joliet June 5-7 that concludes with a very special Sunday game.  On June 7, the RailCats will host Breakfast at the Ballpark for fans before a noon game against the JackHammers.

Four days in Winnipeg follow the ballpark breakfast game before the ‘Cats enjoy a pair of extended homestands.  The RailCats will play seven straight at U. S. Steel Yard starting June 12 – including the first rematch of the Northern League Championship Series against Kansas City June 15-18 –  then host a season-high nine straight beginning June 26 and lasting until the All-Star Break.

During that nine game homestand, U. S. Steel Yard will host a Businessman’s Special 2 p.m. game against Fargo-Moorhead on Thursday, July 2.  The RailCats are then home on both July 3 and 4, with holiday fireworks shows to follow both games against Winnipeg.

The Northern League All-Star Game will be held on July 7, and the RailCats return to the diamond July 10 back at Canwest Park in Winnipeg.  The RailCats come home July 13 to start a seven game stretch that includes Parks and Recreation Day July 15 at 11 a.m.

The RailCats conclude the 2009 with a homestand, playing seven in a row against Schaumburg and Fargo-Moorhead August 25-31 at U. S. Steel Yard.

The RailCats 2009 schedule is very balanced, with at least 16 and no more than 22 games against any single opponent.  The ‘Cats will see 2006 league champion Fargo-Moorhead more than any other team, taking on the RedHawks 22 times.  Winnipeg – the team the RailCats knocked out of the the 2008 Northern League Playoffs – will have 20 chances to get revenge, while the RailCats will play each of their Chicagoland rivals, Schaumburg and Joliet, 19 times.  The RailCats and defending league champion Kansas City will play 16 times.

The RailCats will rack up plenty of travel miles during the 2009 season, playing more road games at Winnipeg (13) and Fargo-Moorhead (12) than against any other team.  The ‘Cats will play only six times at Alexian Field in Schaumburg and less than 10 at Joliet (9) and Kansas City (8).  Schaumburg will be the most frequent visitor to U. S. Steel Yard, with 13 games set at the RailCats home, three more than Fargo-Moorhead and Joliet.  Kansas City will play at the Steel Yard eight times, while Winnipeg will play seven times.

The RailCats are proud of their Tradition of Excellence, which includes two Northern League Championships and the 2006 Organization of the Year award.  For more information on season tickets, group packages and mini-plans for 2009, call the RailCats at (219) 882-BALL or visit www.railcatsbaseball.com.