Tuesday, May 31, 2005

RailCats Outfielder Steve Haake


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind.- RailCats Outfielder Steve Haake warms up before a game at the U.S. Steel Yard on May 31, 2005.

Saints RHP Bryan Gaal


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind.- Saints RHP Bryan Gaal warms up before taking on the RailCats at the U.S. Steel Yard on May 31, 2005.

Monday, May 30, 2005

Memorial Weekend Was Definitely Memorable

GARY, Ind.- This is turning out to be an exciting season to say the least. Memorial weekend was definitely memorable for the Gary RailCats who swept their series with the Schaumburg Flyers and won their fifth straight game this season against one of the top two teams from 2004. The pitching was excellent and the hitting came through to combine for the three game sweep over the Schaumburg Flyers. With Monday an off day, Tuesday will see the RailCats up against the Northern League Champion 2004 Saint Paul Saints who will be eager for a win after loosing two games to Kansas City over the weekend.

Kansas City ultimately came up against the Saints over the weekend to win 2 of 3 games with the final game of the series 6-4 in front of over 7,000 Northern League baseball fans and the host of ESPN's 'Cold Pizza' . They head back to Kansas City to begin a 9 game home stand where they'll face Lincoln, Schaumburg and Calgary.

Sunday, May 29, 2005

RailCats RHP Dominic Woody


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- RailCats RHP Dominic Woody throws
against the Schuamburg Flyers on May 29th, 2005.

RailCats Outfielder Scott Samuels


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- RailCats Outfielder Scott Samuels at bat against
the Schaumburg Flyers at Alexian Field May 29, 2005.

RailCats LHP Jamie Bennett


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- RailCats LHP Jamie Bennett pitches against the
Schaumburg Flyers at Alexian Field on May 29th, 2005.

RailCats RHP Quinton Oldenburg


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- RailCats Quinton Oldenburg works on
his pitching in the visitors bullpen at Alexian Field on May 29th, 2005.

Saturday, May 28, 2005

RailCats RHP Travis Kerber


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- RailCats RHP Travis Kerber takes on the Schaumburg Flyers at Alexian Field May 28, 2005.

Umpires Have A Tough Job To Do

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- Northern League umpire between innings at the Schaumburg Flyers Alexian Field.

RailCats SS Jay Pecci And Outfielder Steve Haake


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- RailCats SS Jay Pecci and Outfielder
Steve Haake in the visitors dugout at Alexian Field May 28, 2005.

RailCats Catcher Jose Yepez


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- RailCats Catcher Jose Yepez slides into base at Alexian Field on May 28, 2005.

RailCats Newest Manager Greg Tagert


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- RailCats newest Manager Greg Tagert throws BP
before the Schaumburg Flyers game at Alexian Field on May 28, 2005.

RailCats RHP Randy Vanderplow Takes BP

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.- RailCats RHP Randy Vanderplow takes BP before a
game at the home of the Schaumburg Flyers at Alexian Field on May 28, 2005.

Thursday, May 26, 2005

RailCats Infielder Curt Lee Warms Up


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind.- RailCats Infielder Curt Lee warms up at
the U.S. Steel Yard on May 26, 2005.

Baseball Is The Only Field Of Endeavor

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor
where a man can succeed three times out of ten
and be considered a good performer." -Ted Williams


GARY, Ind. - This week has proven to be an interesting one for the Northern League. I've attended 7 games already this week with Joliet vs. Gary, Joliet vs. KC and Gary vs. Edmonton. I've had a chance to witness what these guys are capable of thus far. If you haven't been to a game yet make some time to attend, you won't regret it. Joliet is producing great pitching, hitting and defense as seen last night against Kansas City. The T-Bones were hitting last night but they just couldn't make the plays they needed in their offense or defense. Up against Hammers pitcher Jason Shelly some of the best hitters in the league struggled. Tonight the T-Bones finish the series against the Hammers and head to St. Paul to play the Saints. It should be an interesting weekend to watch the top teams from last year go head to head.

The Gary SouthShore RailCats have proven they have the right men pitching with a shut out to Edmonton yesterday afternoon. Gary also has outstanding hitters with Curt Lee, Anthony Iapoce and Alex Taylor all showing their strengths at the afternoon game yesterday. Curt Lee's RBI ultimately broke the 0-0 tie to give the RailCats a much needed victory over the Edmonton CrackerCats and RailCats pitcher Jamie Bennett the win.

The season is off to an excellent start with fantastic talent exploding on the scene in the Northern League for 2005. Hang in there the battle has just begun.

RailCats Outfielder Scott Samuels


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind.- RailCats Outfielder Scott Samuels slides into
2nd at the U.S. Steel Yard on May 26, 2005.

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

KC T-Bone SS Chad Hill


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

JOLIET, Ill.- Kansas City T-Bones SS Chad Hill warms up before a
game against the Joliet JackHammers on May 25, 2005.

RailCats Curt Lee And Anthony Iapoce

B
Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind.- RailCats Infielder Curt Lee runs to third base as
Outfielder Anthony Iapoce slides into second
at the U.S. Steel Yard on May 25, 2005.

RailCats RHP Derek Lopez


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind.- RailCats RHP Derek Lopez throws relief against the
Edmonton CrackerCats at the U.S. Steel Yard on May 25, 2005.

RailCats LHP John Gonzalez


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind.- RailCats LHP John Gonzalez warms up before a
game at the U.S. Steel Yard on May 25, 2005.

RailCats Infielder Curt Lee


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Infielder Curt Lee at bat against the
Edmonton CrackerCats May 25, 2005.

RailCats RHP Travis Kerber


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind.- RailCats RHP Travis Kerber warms up in the bullpen to take on the Edmonton Cracker Cats on May 25, 2005.

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Joliet JackHammers Gabby Delgado


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

JOLIET, Ill.- Joliet JackHammers second baseman Gabby Delgado misses the ball
as RailCats infielder Jason Colson makes it safely to second on May 22, 2005.

RailCats RHP Mike Schaefer


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

JOLIET, Ill.- RailCats RHP Mike Schaefer pitches against
the Joilet JackHammers on May 22, 2005.

Friday, May 20, 2005

RailCats Outfielder Anthony Iapoce


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

JOLIET, Ill.- RailCats Outfielder Anthony Iapoce slides into first
at the opener against the JackHammers on May 20, 2005

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Facts Are Stubborn Things

"Facts are stubborn things,
but statistics are more pliable." -Mark Twain


GARY, Ind. - The season is almost on top of us with the deadline having been met yesterday for the Northern League we now know who we'll see on the rosters for opening day. I hope you're ready for opening weekend because it's here!

There are many new faces this season but the guys come in with awesome stats from previous seasons in A, AA, and AAA as well as the Frontier and other leagues. It will be incredible to see what's ahead for everyone and the sky's the limit!

One of the games to take notice of this weekend, Saint Paul against Schaumburg. The last time these two teams faced off the Saint Paul Saints and the Schaumburg Flyers were battling in the last game of the Northern League Championship with the Saints coming from behind in the 9th to take the shot at the title away from the Flyers.

This weekend Saints RHP Bryan Gaal will start against the Flyers at the home opener in St. Paul at 7:05pm Friday night. It will be interesting to see how the team does with one of their strong championship pitchers from last year, Jason Verdugo as the 2005 seasons pitching coach under George Tsamis.

Good luck everyone the Northern League season officially opens tomorrow!

Monday, May 16, 2005

RailCats Infielder Jason Colson


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats infielder Jason Colson catches a foul ball in an exhibition game against Joliet for an out at the U.S. Steel Yard May 16, 2005.

Morning Glory

GARY, Ind. - In just a few days the Northern League season will officially open and I've already had the pleasure of attending three exhibition games. It's interesting to watch all the new ballplayers who've come into the Northern League and incredible to see how the guys from last year have improved.

The dynamics in this game are always interesting to follow. My most interesting game this season has to be the 5am Saints game against Sioux Falls on mothers' day. Nothing like enjoying a fresh bowl of Lucky Charms from General Mills against a sunrise at a ballgame to make things interesting. Remember life is what you make of it, enjoy it and each precious sunrise and homerun at 5am.

After an 8 hour drive from Minnesota to Indiana on Sunday, today I found myself at the U.S. Steel Yard for a RailCats exhibition game against the Jackhammers. I think this is going to be an interesting season as there are new and old faces to enjoy in the Northern League and on the Gary SouthShore RailCats including Brandon O'Neal, Travis Kerber, Quinton Oldenburg, Derek Lopez, Anthony Iapoce, Curt Lee, Scott Samuels and last years catcher turned pitcher is back with gusto~ Dominic Woody. These guys have a love for this game and to win it you have to put your heart into it! I know they'll be out there giving their all this season as will all the other talented Northern League players.

Good luck everyone and again remember Mark Twain's advice when you are rooting for your favorite team this season, "It's not the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog."

JackHammer RHP Jason Shelley


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - Joliet JackHammers starting pitcher Jason Shelley pitches against the RailCats in an exhibition game at the U.S. Steel Yard May 16, 2005

Sunday, May 08, 2005

Saint Paul Saints RHP Matt Pike


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- Saint Paul Saints RHP Matt Pike pitches relief during the earliest game on record May 8, 2005.

Saturday, May 07, 2005

Canaries RHP Cory Walters


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- Canaries RHP Cory Walters pitches against
the Saint Paul Saints on May 7, 2005.

Saints 3rd Baseman Chad Ehrnsberger


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Saints infielder Chad Ehrnsberger throws to first on May 7th, 2005.

Saints LHP Tim Christman


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Saints LHP Tim Christman on May 7, 2005.

Saint Paul Saints Outfielder Adam Olow


Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Saint Paul Saints Outfielder Adam Olow at bat on May 7th, 2005.