GARY, IN. 8-24-2010 – The Gary SouthShore RailCats Third Annual Fan Fest will kick off a year-long celebration of the 10^th anniversary of RailCats baseball and will be held Saturday, February 5, 2011 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.  Discount presale tickets are on sale now!

The largest celebration of minor league baseball in the Midwest, Fan Fest has brought more than 1,000 fans of RailCats baseball together the last two winters, and this year’s Fan Fest will be extra special with the unveiling of the RailCats 10^th Anniversary Team highlighting the day-long event.

Featuring ballpark-style games, appearances from dozens of RailCats coaches, players and administrators, autograph signings, question-and-answer sessions with team decision-makers and more, Fan Fest brings the Fun, Affordable, Family Entertainment of RailCats baseball to fans during the winter.  The RailCats will announce full details including a roster of V.I.P. guests during the offseason, but fans can save money by buying presale tickets now.

General admission tickets are available for $15 (regularly $20), with kids 12 and under and season ticket holders able to buy tickets for just $10.  Every Fan Fest ticket includes an all-day pass to the event, a ticket to the RailCats 2011 Opening Day game and other great giveaways.  Tickets can be purchased at the U. S. Steel Yard Box Office, by calling 219.882.2255 or by visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com.

The RailCats will open voting for the 10^th Anniversary Team in September with fans able to help choose the winners at each position.  The team will be selected based on an online fan balloting and input from RailCats coaches and administrators.  The final team will be unveiled during Fan Fest, with honorees in attendance.

The following is the schedule for online fan balloting (conducted at www.railcatsbaseball.com):

September 6 – 12: Catcher

September 13 – 19: First Baseman

September 20 – 26: Second Baseman

September 27 – October 3: Shortstop

October 4 – 10: Third Baseman

October 11 – 17: Outfielders

October 18 – 24: Designated Hitter

October 25 – 31: Utility Player

November 1 – 7: Left-Handed Starting Pitcher

November 8 – 14: Right-Handed Starting Pitcher

November 15 – 21: Left-Handed Relief Pitcher

November 22 – 28: Right-Handed Relief Pitcher

The RailCats are in third place in the eight-team Northern League with less than two weeks to go in the regular season, and the ‘Cats have only seven home games remaining as they continue their push to a sixth-straight Northern League Playoff berth.  Tickets to see the RailCats play at U. S. Steel Yard are on sale now by calling 219.882.2255 or www.railcatsbaseball.com.