GARY, Ind. — For 10 seasons, the RailCats have called U. S. Steel Yard their only home. That will change on Thursday, May 10 when they take their game into the community for a special exhibition game at Riverside Park in Hammond. The RailCats will host the Windy City ThunderBolts of the Frontier League at 6 p.m.

“Hammond is a great market for us and they are some of the RailCats top supporters,” RailCats President and General Manager Kevin Spudic said. “We wanted to take this opportunity to give back to a community that supports us.”

Tickets for the game are $5 and may be purchased in advance by calling the RailCats at 219-882-2255 or coming to the U. S. Steel Yard box office between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fans may also purchase tickets at Riverside Park on the day of the game.

Riverside Park is the home of the Hammond Chiefs, the program that Hammond native and RailCats outfielder Mike Coles played for in high school. Coles returned to the ‘Cats this off-season after playing for them as a rookie in 2006.

“It will be the first time we have had a professional game played out here, so that’s a big deal for us,” Hammond Chiefs Coach and President Dave Sutkowski said. “Having Mike Coles, a Hammond kid who was a part of our program and now with the RailCats definitely adds to it. We are looking forward to this opportunity to showcase our field and have pro baseball played here.”  

The rest of the RailCats exhibition schedule includes three home games at U. S. Steel Yard. They will host the Schaumburg Boomers—the new franchise purchased by RailCats owners Pat and Lindy Salvi this past off-season—on May 9 at 1 p.m. The Joliet Slammers will pay a visit on May 12 at 1 p.m. and the ‘Cats will face the Normal CornBelters on May 14 at 2 p.m. 

Opening Day is Friday, May 25 against the Wichita Wingnuts at 7:10 p.m. Single game tickets are on sale now at the RailCats box office and online.