GARY, Ind. 11-16-2010 – Gary SouthShore RailCats Manager Greg Tagert announced today that he has picked up the option on the contracts of 22 players for the 2011 season.

The RailCats have retained the 2011 contractual rights to the following players:

James Baker, RHP

Chris Chavez, RHP

Aaron Cook, RHP

Zeb Engle, LHP

Brad Furnish, LHP

Brad Halsey, LHP

Jeremy Hauer, LHP

Brandon Magee, RHP

Nolan Nicholson, RHP

Andy Shipman, RHP

Andy Weeks, LHP

Jeff Williams, RHP

Jeff Beachum, IF

Chris Carrara, IF

Louis Ott, IF

John Parham, C

Mike Rohde, IF

Tanner Townsend, IF

Zach Williams, IF

Mike Valadez, C

Adam Klein, OF

Mike Massaro, OF

American Association rules require teams to designate with whom they wish to retain contractual rights for the upcoming season.  Today’s announcement does not mean these 22 players are under contract for the upcoming year, and in fact none of the players have signed 2010 contracts.

The RailCats today also declined the contract options on infielder Randall Simon and outfielders Cristian Guerrero and Mike Reese. In addition, the RailCats came to a mutual agreement with Willie Glen not to exercise his option. Those players are now free agents, able to negotiate with any team, including the RailCats.  Shortstop Jay Pecci is also now a free agent after playing out his option in 2010.

“By not exercising contract options on certain players, it allows the club and the player flexibility as the process moves forward through the off-season,” Tagert said.  “The door will be left open to re-sign a player and for particular players like Willie [Glen] and Mike [Reese], a strong possibility exists they will move away from their playing careers. We should know soon about their plans.”

Season tickets and flex packages for the RailCats inaugural season in the American Association are on sale now by calling 219.882.2255.  For more information, visit www.railcatsbaseball.com.