GARY – Thousands of Northwest Indiana youngsters will enjoy Gary SouthShore RailCats baseball this summer thanks to the generosity of Gary native and Chicago Cubs pitcher LaTroy Hawkins and his wife Anita, who have established "The Hawk's Nest" at U. S. Steel Yard.
Each Friday night during the 2004 season, up to 300 fans will have the chance to enjoy a RailCats game from the outfield terrace seats – now known as "The Hawk's Nest." The tickets, purchased by LaTroy and Anita Hawkins, will be distributed to local youth organizations, kids clubs, church outreach programs, family shelters, battered women's shelters, and drug rehab centers through the RailCats' Community Relations Department.
"It's very exciting to us to give kids a chance to do something that I didn't get to do as a kid (growing up in Gary), and that's to have a good time and watch a professional baseball game," Hawkins said. "It's a time to relax and get the mind off other things."
The RailCats are scheduled to play nine Friday night home games in 2004, beginning with the May 28, 7 p.m. contest against the Joliet JackHammers. Each Friday night game at U. S. Steel Yard will be accompanied by a post-game Fireworks spectacular.
Hawkins, 31, signed as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs last December after spending his entire professional career, including nine big-league seasons, with the Minnesota Twins. In 2003, Hawkins went 9-3 with 2 saves and a career-best 1.86 ERA in 74 games for the Twins. Since being converted to a reliever in 2000, Hawkins has held opponents to a .248 batting average and has compiled a 3.09 ERA.
Hawkins graduated from Gary's West Side high School in 1991, where he played baseball, basketball, and ran track. Hawkins was an all-Indiana baseball and basketball player in his junior and senior seasons.
LaTroy and Anita Hawkins reside in Frisco, Texas, with their children Dakari and Troi.
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The Gary SouthShore RailCats are the professional minor league baseball team serving Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. The RailCats' 96-game Northern League schedule in 2004 includes 48 home games at U. S. Steel Yard, a charming, state-of-the-art ballpark, conveniently located next to the Indiana Toll Road (I-90), with easy access from I-65, I-80/94 and the Chicago Skyway. U. S. Steel Yard has been named "Best New Ballpark" by Chicago Magazine. For information about season tickets, mini-season ticket plans, group outings, and creative sponsorship packages, call the RailCats at (219) 882-BALL, or visit the RailCats web site at www.railcatsbaseball.com. Opening Day is May 24!
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