GARY, Ind. — With the regular season winding down and the playoffs on the horizon, the Gary SouthShore RailCats return home to U. S. Steel Yard for a seven-game homestand versus the Joliet Jackhammers and the Schaumburg Flyers beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 27. Tickets are on sale now by calling 219.882.2255 or by visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com.

LUNCHBOX GIVEAWAY/DAN PASQUA APPEARANCE/FIREWORKS FRIDAY/MERRILLVILLE COMMUNITY/GREEK NIGHT/TROPICAL NIGHT: Friday, August 27 @ 7 P.M. - With the start of school around the corner, the RailCats will once again give away their stylish metal lunchboxes to the first 1,000 kids (age 12 and under), courtesy Geminus Prevention Services and Indiana 105. Tonight's also your chance to meet former White Sox slugger Dan Pasqua, who will be at the game signing autographs and greeting fans. A 10-year Major League veteran, Pasqua hit 117 career home runs and now operates the White Sox Training Academy in Tinley Park, Ill. Join the RailCats every Friday at U. S. Steel Yard for Fireworks Friday. Stick around after the game for an exciting fireworks show sponsored by First Midwest Bank and The Post-Tribune. In addition, Merrillville residents with a valid ID can purchase tickets at a $2 discount at the box office on the day of the game. Calling all fraternities and sororities, don't miss the RailCats annual Greek Night at U. S. Steel Yard. This special night includes discount tickets, fireworks and a Greek Mixer in the newly renovated Diamond Club! Friday is also Tropical night. The RailCats turn U. S. Steel Yard into a sunny Caribbean beach (for one night at least), as Hawaiian shirts are welcome - without ridicule - on Tropical Night.

BASEBALL GIVEAWAY: Saturday, August 28 @ 6 P.M. – No need to beg the players for a ball on this night, as the first 1,500 fans will receive a custom-designed RailCats baseball, perfect as a collectors piece or to throw around in the back yard, courtesy United Auto Workers Local 588.

BOBBLEGLOVE GIVEAWAY/MICHAEL JACKSON BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION/TIMES FAMILY SUNDAY: Sunday, August 29 @ 2 P.M. - Here's one you won't get anywhere else - the first 1,500 fans tonight will get a sparkling sequin glove that wobbles up and down, courtesy of Salvi, Schostok and Pritchard, P.C. It’s the perfect accent for any room in your house so pop in your favorite CD and start the bobble-glove bouncing for hours of entertainment! Also, we pay tribute to the late King of Pop, Gary native Michael Jackson, on his birthday. U. S. Steel Yard was the site of a large memorial service last year and hosted Jackson early in the park's history. Today, we share our memories as you share yours, and you'll be sure to hear the greatest hits blaring throughout the park all night and don’t miss the conclusion of Fanvention Idol after the game! Every Sunday in 2010 look for the Family Day coupon in The Times and bring it to U. S. Steel Yard to get four box seat tickets, four hot dogs and four sodas for just $36!

TEAM PHOTO GIVEAWAY/DOLLAR MONDAY/YOUTH FOOTBALL DAY/SPONSOR APPRECIATION/HOST FAMILY APPRECIATION: Monday, August 30 @ 7 P.M. – A weekend of giveaways continues as the first 2,000 fans of all ages pick up the only keepsake that features all of your favorite 2010 RailCats, a team photograph courtesy of Hoosier Bat Company. On Dollar Mondays all summer long, get $1 hot dogs, popcorn, pop, programs, merchandise and more throughout the park. And the best part? When you buy one full-price ticket, the second will cost you just One Dollar! The seasons are changing, and as little boys and girls get their gridiron dreams started, the RailCats invite everyone out to enjoy one final night with the Boys of Summer on Youth Football Day. Dozens of Northwest Indiana businesses keep RailCats baseball coming to you the fans, and on this night we give thanks to those great companies and tell you who to call or where to shop when you want to support RailCats baseball. The RailCats will also take time to say thank you to the outstanding Host Families for the 2010 season. Without the kindness and generosity of people such as these, the RailCats would not be successful or even possible!

ASTHMA AWARENESS/TUESDAY KIDS DAY/PICTURE PACK GIVEAWAY/MEGAPHONE GIVEAWAY: Tuesday, August 31 @ 6 P.M. - Hundreds of millions of people worldwide are asthmatic, and the RailCats raise awareness and money for research as part of this annual event. Tonight's special 6:00 start makes sure everyone's home by bedtime, and tonight's game is all about kid-friendly fun! The first 1,000 youngsters (12 and under) will get a voucher for a free hot dog and all members of the RailCats Reading Club get admitted free. Plus, in-game entertainment all night is geared especially for kids. The ‘Cats will also be handing out Picture Packs to the first 1,000 fans entering the ballpark sponsored by Great Lakes Orthopedics. RailCats in the August 31 edition include: Mike Reese, Ryan Zink and Zach McClellan. The first 500 kids entering U. S. Steel Yard will also receive a megaphone courtesy of "A Place of Our Own" and Lakeshore Public Television.

KEVIN BUTLER, BOBBY DOUGLASS/MONEY GIVEAWAY/WET YOUR WHISTLE WEDNESDAY: Wednesday, September 1 @ 7 P.M. - The all-time leading scorer in Chicago Bears history will be at U. S. Steel Yard tonight! Kevin Butler played 11 seasons for the Bears and was the kicker on the Super Bowl Champion ‘85 Bears and he'll be signing autographs along with former bear quarterback Bobby Douglass and hanging out all night long! If you missed the last one, you have no excuse this time to miss getting paid to come to a baseball game as the RailCats will be giving away envelopes of cash to the first 1,000 fans to enter U. S. Steel Yard with five lucky fans walking away with $100 courtesy NIEMI Associates and Indiana 105. Take the mid-week break you know you deserve and kick back with $2 MGD and Miller Lite drafts (fans 21 and over only) at every Wednesday night game in 2010.

FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT/BASEBALL CARD GIVEAWAY/END OF REGULAR SEASON FIREWORKS!: Thursday, September 2 @ 7 P.M. - It's the last regular season home game of the 2010 season, and tonight's all about YOU. Loads of giveaways, contests for big prizes and a final salute to the best fans in the Northern League make tonight's game one not to miss. Tonight's the only night to grab a complete pack of 2010 RailCats Baseball Cards, and they'll only go the first 1,000 fans of all ages. The RailCats never need a reason to blast a few fireworks, and what better reason than the last night of the regular season. Join us after the game for The Region's best show sponsored by First Midwest Bank and The Post-Tribune.