U. S. Steel Yard & Gary Baseball Foundation Unveiled
Published on May 14, 2003 under American Association (AA)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY â The Gary SouthShore RailCats and United States Steel Corporation have completed a 10-year naming rights agreement for Gary's new, state-of-the-art professional baseball stadium, now named U. S. Steel Yard. The RailCats, in partnership with the U. S. Steel Foundation and the City of Gary, have also established a $1.3 million charitable foundation to fund and promote youth baseball and softball programs in Gary.
U. S. Steel Yard: U. S. Steel has committed to a 10-year naming rights agreement for Gary's new, multi-million dollar, state-of-the art minor league ballparkâto be known as "U. S. Steel Yard". Although specifics of the business agreement between the parties will not be disclosed, the terms of the naming rights agreement are in line with similar arrangements throughout the Northern League.
"Almost 100 years ago, the United States Steel Corporation founded this City of Gary," said Gary Mayor Scott L. King. "So we are thrilled today to have U. S. Steel recommit itself to our community in such a significant way. We are proud to have them place the U. S. Steel name atop the cornerstone of our redevelopment efforts in downtown Gary."
"We hope the new name for this field, U. S. Steel Yard, will long stand as a symbol of our commitment to the future of Northwest Indiana and the City of Gary," said George Babcoke, general managerâGary Works.
The Gary Baseball Foundation, Inc.: The RailCats, the U. S. Steel Foundation and the City also announced today the establishment of the Gary Baseball Foundation, Inc., a new charitable foundation to be funded with more than $1.3 million in cash and in-kind contributions over the next 10 years. The Foundation will promote youth baseball and softball programs in Gary through funding assistance, field and facilities refurbishment, and other assistance aimed at promoting sportsmanship, citizenship and responsibility in youth. Other key elements of the Foundation include:
-- The Foundation is organized as a non-profit, private foundation seeking federal tax-exempt status;
An over-sight board will be made up of representatives of the City of Gary, U. S. Steel and the Gary SouthShore RailCats;
-- Gary's 20,000+ children ages 6-16 will be served with mentoring and organized sports activities promoting sports, health, fitness, sportsmanship, citizenship and responsibility;
-- Dozens of youth baseball and softball fields in the Gary area will be refurbished;
-- The U. S. Steel Foundation will fund $875,000 in financial assistance.
-- More than $500,000 of in-kind contributions will be made by the RailCats franchise through administrative services and program management, player baseball clinics and mentoring programs, team-sponsored events and the use of U.S. Steel Yard for youth sports events.
"By establishing the Gary Baseball Foundation with the City, the RailCats and U.S. Steel have stepped up to the plate as true partners in our community," King said. "The creation of this Foundation proves once again, that a strong, visible and viable partnership between local government and local business can make the impossible possible, and the difficult doable."
"We couldn't be happier about our new stadium name and the funding of the Gary Baseball Foundation," said George Huber, RailCats majority owner. "In addition to bringing quality family fun and entertainment to Northwest Indiana with our Railcats baseball games, the Gary Baseball Foundation allows us give back and make a real difference in the Gary community doing the things we know bestâoffering summer fun and baseball for area kids."
Opening Day: The Gary SouthShore RailCats will play their inaugural home opener at the U. S. Steel Yard on Memorial Day, May 26 at 3 p.m., when the RailCats host the Schaumburg Flyers. A limited number of tickets are still available for the opener, which promises to be a daylong celebration for Northwest Indiana families and baseball fans.
About the RailCats: The Gary SouthShore RailCats (SouthShore Baseball, LLC) are the new, professional minor league baseball team serving Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. The RailCats are owned by members of the Victory Sports Group, LLC (www.victorysportsgroup.com), and local owners, Dr. David Ross and Lloyd McClendon, manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The RailCats' Northern League schedule includes 45 home games at new U. S. Steel Yard, conveniently located on the Indiana Toll Road, with easy access from I-65, 80/94 and the Chicago Skyway. For more information, including a complete game schedule, visit the RailCats website at www.railcatsbaseball.com.
Tickets to RailCats baseball games at U. S. Steel Yard can be purchased via the following methods: at the U. S. Steel Yard Ticket Office (open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.); by telephone through Ticketreturn (toll-free telephone number) 866-MY-TICKET (866-698-4253); or on-line via the Internet at www.railcatsbaseball.com.
American Association Stories from May 14, 2003
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- Sports Win 2-0 in Rain-Shortened Game - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- Sports Sign Former UL-Monroe Pitcher - Shreveport-Bossier Captains
- U. S. Steel Yard & Gary Baseball Foundation Unveiled - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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