GARY, Ind. — Chris Carrara, the Gary SouthShore RailCats super-sub who hit .327 in limited action in 2009, has agreed to terms with the ‘Cats on a contract for the 2010 season, when the fourth-year pro will compete for a starting job on the infield.

Carrara, 24, played in only 36 regular season games last year but still managed to play at least six times at second base, third base and shortstop, and also made a cameo at first base.  The Charlotte native made the most of his playing time in 2009, however, legging out three triples, driving in 15 runs, stealing nine bases, drawing 10 walks and five hit-by-pitches, and posting a .416 on-base percentage in only 98 regular season at bats.  The speedy Carrara also made his mark in Game One of the 2009 Northern League Championship Series, drawing one of his two playoff starts and scoring the game-tying run in the fifth inning before driving in the game-winning run with a single in the seventh.

Drafted in the 30th round of the 2007 Major League Entry Draft by the New York Yankees, Carrara played sparingly that summer before landing a full-time job with the Frontier League’s Washington Wild Things in 2008.  That season Carrara hit .285 in 74 games and boasted a .401 on-base percentage to go along with 19 stolen bases and just 11 errors in the field while splitting time between second and third base.

Born in Pittsburgh, Carrara attended high school in Charlotte and then played four years for Division I Winthrop where he was a three-time All-Big South Conference selection.  Carrara hit at least .320 three times in four college seasons and had his best year as a junior in 2006, batting .364 with 25 extra-base hits and a whopping 33 stolen bases.  In his college career, Carrara piled up 103 stolen bases and walked 143 times against just 108 strikeouts.

Carrara is the first position player signed to a 2010 contract by the RailCats, joining pitchers Aaron Cook, Zach McClellan, Andy Paulun and J.J. Potrikus.  Those five will be part of an at least 27-man squad when the RailCats open Spring Training on May 6 at U. S. Steel Yard.

The RailCats will kick-off the 2010 season at the second-annual Fan Fest, Saturday, February 20 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.  Advance sale tickets are available now at $20 for adults and $10 for kids (age 12 and under) and 2010 RailCats season ticket holders, but those prices will go up on the day of the event.  To buy Fan Fest tickets, call 219.882.2255 or visit www.railcatsbaseball.com.