Saints Circus Leaves NL For New Big Top

"If you can't ride two horses at once, you shouldn't be in the circus."
- American Proverb

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - With the Northern League baseball season officially over things continue to heat up. The 2006 season will have a different shape to it after the Northern League announced on Thursday the Saint Paul Saints, Lincoln Salt Dogs and Sioux Falls Canaries have, "voluntarily terminated" their memberships in the Northern League.

Based on a posted story on the Saints web page Thursday, an article by the Star Tribune and another article appearing in the sports section of the St. Paul Pioneer Press this morning, the Saints, Canaries and Salt Dogs intend to become part of a new league. They will be joined by other independent league teams from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.

The Northern League consisted of 10 teams in 2004 and 12 teams during the 2005 season after two new teams; the Calgary Vipers and Edmonton CrackerCats joined. As of the voluntarily termination Thursday the league has been reduced to 9 teams for the 2006 season. It appears that a new independent league will be born for the 2006 baseball season. I'll keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Keep Watching More To Come!

"You can observe a lot just by watching. " -Yogi Berra

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - First and foremost thank you to everyone who has frequented my web site this season. I've immensely enjoyed the e-mails, comments and posts you've left. I've been touched by so much of your correspondence and appreciate the opportunity to have shared so many wonderful memories with all of you. This season had its ups and downs but no matter what your perspective or which team you followed everyone shared the same thing: the love of baseball. It's been a fabulous season and I am overjoyed at the possibilities for next year.

Secondly I would like to let everyone know in the very near future you'll be able to access more of the photographs from the 2005 season. Many of them will be available to purchase in a pro gallery I am setting up at Shutterfly and a few related gift items will be available to purchase at CafePress. Please keep watching as I multi-task to get things up and running. I will have the gallery organized by game dates and possibly teams. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me via e-mail or snail mail at the address below.

Third just a shameless plug, Gary RailCats infielder and entrepreneur Curt Lee has a business called, One Liners Shirts where you can purchase shirts with your favorite movie one liners on them. Drop by his website and check out all the wears he has to offer.

Thanks again to all the fans, friends, families and players alike for making the 2005 Northern League season a wonderful one. I wish everyone the best for the future and look forward to keeping in touch via my website, snail mail or other means as we all await the 2006 season. Stay safe and when you find yourself having withdrawal or wishing spring was around the corner come back for a visit!

**Post Update- March 28, 2006, I'm in the process of re-organizing the Shutterfly Pro Gallery with the deadline for a public opening of the gallery officially set for April 11, 2006. If anyone has any questions or concerns about photographs or just wants to say, "hello," feel free to get in touch. Thanks.

2005 Northern League Champions

Photographs By Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

"In the world there are believers and then there are non-believers. For all of you non-believers out there, I have something to say to you . . . never underestimate the heart of a champion. "
- Rudy Tomjohnavich

GARY, Ind. - The Northern League 2005 season has officially come to an end. The Gary RailCats, who were down two games to the RedHawks at the beginning of the championship series, began a three-game winning streak Friday night at home in the U.S. Steel Yard.

The RailCats worked for the 7-3 win in game three staying alive in the series. In game four, the RailCats proved they were after the championship with a 12-4 win over the RedHawks to even the series. In game five on Sunday, the RailCats went head-to-head against the RedHawks in the final battle for the 2005 Northern League Championship. RedHawks pitcher Brandon Culp threw an incredible game against the RailCats but the damage accomplished in the first inning would be their downfall.

Culp kept the RailCats to a one-run lead while RailCats pitchers Jamie Bennett, Travis Kerber and Derek Lopez combined along with the RailCats defense to keep the RedHawks from gaining any momentum. The only RedHawks player to score on the RailCats was infielder Bryon Jeffcoat with a bases empty home run in the sixth. By the ninth 2,496 fans were on their feet screaming with every pitch as RailCats closer Derek Lopez took over control of the mound.

Ultimately, the RailCats beat the RedHawks with a score of 2-1 in nine innings taking game five and the 2005 Northern League Championship. After four years in the Northern League the Gary SouthShore RailCats, under the guidance of Manager Greg Tagert, Coaches Gates, Haines and Sagara have brought the first Northern League Championship to the U.S. Steel Yard against the RedHawks who had a 68-27 record this season.

This year there have been many accomplishments in the Northern League but in Gary, these achievements were firsts for the team and many of its members. The RailCats thought of as one of the worst teams in the Northern League in 2004 began the 2005 season with new life. Under Manager Greg Tagert, the RailCats found a fresh start, remarkable camaraderie and built momentum for an astonishing winning season with a 54-42 record.

The RailCats players and veterans put the past behind them this year with an attitude that everything was fresh and new. Before an exhibition game against the Joliet JackHammers on May 16, 2005, I spoke with RailCats pitcher Travis Kerber who said he had a, “good feeling,” and was really looking forward to, “a fresh new season.” That fresh new start and attitude would take the RailCats into the playoffs and September baseball.

The RailCats strength in 2005 came in many forms but one of the most impressive places was in its pitching. RailCats pitchers, challenged by changing rolls when starters became relief pitchers and vice versa adapted well. Understanding the RailCats strengths, Tagert challenged his team to excel and the outcome kept player transactions to a minimum during the season.

When placed into the bullpen in July, an unfamiliar but fresh roll after a few rough starts, the aggressive pitching style of Greg Bruso was tested. He had been a starting pitcher for most of his career, but was, “up to the new challenge,” set before him and proved himself in that position this season.Relief pitcher Cody Fisher faced a new challenge as well when making his debut on August 9, 2005 in a new role for the RailCats as a starting pitcher, which is a position he has held with other teams in his career. He would prove to be an incredible asset as a starter for the RailCats shutting out the Saint Paul Saints in game four of the semi-final series at the U.S. Steel Yard.

There was an air of sadness with the team at the retirement of pitcher Dominic Woody in June and the major transactions some fans questioned which sent starting pitcher Quinton Oldenburg and infielder Jason Colson to Calgary in August for outfielder Fehlandt Lentini. The trade became necessary after outfielder Anthony Iapoce suffered a broken thumb at Schaumburg with the injury thought to keep him out for the rest of the season.

Outfielder Scott Samuels also suffered a hamstring injury placing him on the DL while a string of other illnesses and injuries affected the team toward the end of this season. The RailCats remained contenders in the race for the Northern League 2005 Championship while Greg Tagert, Sagara, Haines and Gates worked with the team to keep the dream alive.

Lentini went on to prove himself to the RailCats and after working through the rough patch the drive remained to end with a winning season. One approach the RailCats took with them to the playoffs- focus, take it a game at a time but keep the goal in mind while treating each game as if it was a regular season game. What ever the key to this season was the RailCats were reborn taking a team with a terrible record, and turning it around in one season.

As a baseball fan and someone who had witnessed previous seasons, you could feel the renewed energy as the 2005 season began at the U.S. Steel Yard. It was a different place to see a game compared to prior seasons. Fans seemed to bring a more boisterous outlook and vigor to the game. The Steel Yard attendance increased as the team’s new reputation spread. The 2005 All Star Game hosted at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary helped solidify the Steel Yard as an incredible place to see and play baseball.

The payoff to fans this season for their undying support began as the team won games finishing near the top during the Northern League first half. By the second half, they continued to prove contenders in the league working to stay ahead of Saint Paul, Lincoln and Calgary aiming for a playoff spot. The best possible reward for fans came when the RailCats achieved a playoff spot creating the first of three trademark, “dogpiles,” and the first for the U.S. Steel Yard.

After clinching the playoff spot, they achieved another record tying for the Southern Division second half with Saint Paul. Their next feat occurred when they competed against the 2004 Northern League Champion Saint Paul Saints for a spot in the championship series.

The playoff semi-final series began at Saint Paul with Saint Paul taking game one and Gary winning game two. Next, it was onto the U.S. Steel Yard for the rest of the semi-final series where Saint Paul and Gary kept dueling until it came down to a game five. In final playoff game five the RailCats kept the Saints at bay while the Steel Yard crowd could be heard chanting in the ninth inning, "We’re going to Fargo!" The RailCats won game five sending them to the final championship series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at Fargo, North Dakota.

The RedHawks proved their strength at home in Fargo when they won games one and two at Newman Outdoor Field but the last three games of the championship series at the Steel Yard were phenomenal exhibiting the change that's come to baseball and its fan base in Gary, Indiana. The crowds were into every moment of the championship series holding signs exclaiming their undying support for the team and individual players as they came up to bat for Gary.

The RailCats management supplied double-sided signs for the fans during the final games with two previous photographed, “dogpile,” shots from the prior playoff wins with the words, "One More Dogpile." Fans waved them feverishly as if they were Minnesota Twins Homer Hankies cheering so loud you would have thought you were at a big league ballpark watching the Boston Red Sox play the World Series.

There were die-hard fans such as the John Schmitz fan club that stood in the top row, behind home plate at Sunday afternoon’s game who held up huge white signs when Schmitz came up to bat. Fans of Scott Samuels and Anthony Iapoce behind home plate held signs when they were up to bat as well.

There was Vinnie a.k.a “SuperFan” and fellow RailCats followers all decked out to support the RailCats. Super Fan wore his team signed, trademark jersey while three of the newest diehards began on Friday with other adornments.

One man wore black and white face paint with a black RailCats home jersey while two other men began game three with partially showing body paint showing their support. Pumping up fans around the ballpark Sunday afternoon the two men had graduated to covering their bodies from head to waste in baseball, RailCats themed graffiti. In the end, the RailCats championship dreams brought droves of die-hard baseball fans to witness the first championship win in RailCats history.

Photographs By Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

On behalf of Northern League baseball fans, thank you to all the Northern League teams for a spectacular season. I would also like to express my immense gratitude to the Gary SouthShore RailCats for the kindness you have shown to me throughout the season. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to follow you from the beginning and witness history. You achieved what to some was the unthinkable with the hearts of champions!

RailCats 2005 Northern League Champions

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats are the 2005 Northern League Champions after an incredible series against the RedHawks in which the RailCats came back after being down two games to win three in a row against the RedHawks to take the series and the Championship on September 18, 2005.

RailCats Win Northern League 2005 Championship

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats win Northern League 2005 Championship
at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 18, 2005.

RailCats Outfielder Anthony Iapoce MOP

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Outfielder Anthony Iapoce received the award
for the most outstanding player of the championship
series on September 18, 2005.

The Gary SouthShore RailCats Win

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats, once thought to be the underdogs of the Northern League have just won the 2005 Northern League Championship against the winningest team in the NL the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 18, 2005.

RailCats RHP Derek Lopez

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind.- RailCats RHP Derek Lopez takes over in the ninth to close down championship game 5 against the RedHawks at the U.S. Steel Yard giving the RailCats their first Northern League Championship on September 18, 2005.

RailCats Infielder Curt Lee

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - Infielder Curt Lee slides safely into third avoiding a tag by infielder Ruben Salazar as the RailCats battle the RedHawks for the 2005 Championship title on September 18, 2005.

RailCats RHP Travis Kerber

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats RHP Travis Kerber warms up in the bullpen to take over for starting LHP Jamie Bennett in the sixth inning of championship game 5 against the RedHawks at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 18, 2005.

RedHawks RHP Brandon Culp

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RedHawks RHP Brandon Culp pitches against the Gary SouthShore RailCats in Championship game 5 at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 18, 2005.

RailCats LHP Jamie Bennett

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats LHP Jamie Bennett throws against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in Championship game 5 at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 18,2005.

Iapoce Slams Into Second

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Outfielder Anthony Iapoce slams into second base during game 4 of the Northern League Championship series against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on September 17, 2005.

RailCats Score Again Against The RedHawks

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats score again against the RedHawks after Tanner Townsend sends a sweet three-run homerun over the U.S. Steel Yard fence on September 17, 2005.

RedHawks Batter Clyde Williams

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RedHawks batter Clyde Williams faces RailCats RHP Willie Glen at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 17, 2005.

RailCats Outfielder John Schmitz

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Outfielder John Schmitz slides into second during game 4 against the RedHawks at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 17, 2005.

RailCats Force Game 5 In 2005 NL Championship

"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion.
You must set yourself on fire!" -Arnold H. Glasgow

GARY, Ind. - Tonight the Gary SouthShore RailCats built a towering inferno to beat the RedHawks 12-4 in game 4 to even the championship series. The RailCats hitting and pitching came together along with their fielding to create one heck of a ball game with the RedHawks. The RedHawks who've had the best record in the Northern League this season and dominated Lincoln 3 of 4 games in the semi-finals last weekend find themselves playing a game five in Gary, Indiana on Sunday. Best of luck to everyone the final battle of the 2005 Northern League season is here.

Game 5 (now necessary) at the U.S. Steel Yard in
Gary, Indiana at 2:00 pm September 18, 2005.

Last Fireworks Night Of 2005 Season

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - The last fireworks night of the 2005 season at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 16, 2005.

RailCats Outfielder Anthony Iapoce

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Outfielder Anthony Iapoce slides back to first base after an attempted pick off by Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 16, 2005.

Northern Leagure Championship Game 3

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships." -Michael Jordan

GARY, Ind. - Tonight the Gary SouthShore RailCats teamwork helped them win against the Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks 7-3. The first game of the best-of-five series they've won in the war to the Northern League 2005 Championship. This will force a game 4 against the RedHawks. Fargo-Moorhead is still up one game on Gary however; tomorrow night the RailCats come head-to-head in a do or die battle. If the RailCats can pull off another win with their best starting pitcher Willie Glen at the helm they could even the series making Sunday the final battle for the championship.

This season we've seen the best come to surface in the Northern League. It's been an unbelievable time for the fans and players alike. With that said, thank you to everyone who's done their part to make this season memorable. No matter what happens next everyone can be proud of their accomplishments and determination. Good luck to the RailCats and the RedHawks tomorrow. Who will be this years Northern League Champion? The war has been waged and another battle is about to begin in Gary, Indiana.

Game 4 (now necessary) at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana on September 17, 2005 at 6:00 pm

Northern League Championship Game 2

"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."
-Muhammad Ali

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- The RailCats LHP Jamie Bennett pitched 4 2/3 innings for Gary tonight keeping Gary at a 4-1 lead until the fifth when the RedHawks managed a 4-run inning to make the game 5-4 RedHawks. RHP Travis Kerber came in for Bennett to keep the RedHawks at a 1-run lead for 2 1/3 innings. RHP Derek Lopez came in for Kerber against the RedHawks with one of the toughest innings of the season, but Lopez and the RailCats worked together to keep Fargo to a one run lead. The RailCats hitting came against RedHawks RHP Taft Cable tonight, they scored 2 runs in the fifth and 2 runs in the third. The ninth inning proved tough against Fargo pitcher Brian Adams with the Outfielder Brent Krause putting any ideas of a rally to bed sending the RailCats home to Gary without a win for the series as of yet. The RedHawks are 2 games up in this best-of-five series with game two's final score Fargo 5, Gary 4.

Game 3 will be at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana at 7:05 pm CST.

Fargo Wins Game 1

"You miss 100% of the shots you never take. "
-Wayne Gretzky

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- Gary Manager Greg Tagert has made certain the RailCats went after every shot they could this season to get them to the playoffs. Now they 're here in the Northern League final championship series to take on the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. Tonight the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks won game 1 of the best-of-five series with a score of 5-1. RedHawks pitcher Brandon Culp threw an incredible nine innings against the RailCats keeping them to just 4 hits and 1 run. RailCats pitching staff Mike Schaefer, John Gonzalez, Randy Vanderplow and Greg Bruso combined against the RedHawks, but the RedHawks managed 12 hits and 5 runs to win this first game.

Wednesday night LHP Jamie Bennett will pitch for the RailCats and RHP Taft Cable for the RedHawks in game 2 of the Northern League Championship Battle of the best-of-five series at 6:05 pm CST at Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, North Dakota. Listen to the game online or watch it on the b2 network.

Let The Games Begin!

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
-John Wooden 1910-
American Basketball Coach

SAINT PAUL, Minn.- Let the games begin Northern League baseball fans! Last week we watched four of the best teams in the league compete in the semi-final series. Fargo-Moorhead dominated Lincoln while Gary and Saint Paul evened the series down to crucial game five before Gary won the Southern Division title. Tonight the final two teams, Gary and Fargo begin their battle for the Northern League 2005 Championship in Fargo, North Dakota. Good luck everyone!

Northern League 2005 Championship Battle Schedule:
Game 1 Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, North Dakota at 6:05 pm
Game 2 Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, North Dakota at 6:05 pm
Game 3 U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana at 7:05 pm
Game 4 (if necessary) U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana at 6:00 pm
Game 5 (if necessary) U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Indiana at 2:00 pm

Saints Loss Sends RailCats To Fargo

"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job
at hand,and the determination that whether we win
or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to
the task at hand." -Vince Lombardi

GARY, Ind. - With the semi-finals over, we are down to the final series for the 2005 Northern League Champions between the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and the Gary RailCats. This season Fargo-Moorhead, Lincoln, Saint Paul and Gary all presented a fierce dedication and drive for their respective divisions and Northern League baseball. All four teams can be proud of the perseverance they had this season. They have all had one thing in common . . . determination. Ultimately the Northern division Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks dominated the Lincoln Salt Dogs in all but one game of the semi-finals winning 3 of 4 games.

The edge of your seat battle, which ensued this past week for the Southern Division title pit Gary against the 2004 Northern League Champion Saint Paul Saints. Each team went head to head for five exhausting games. The semi-finals began last Tuesday night in St. Paul with the Saints taking game 1. The RailCats continued to draw from their incredible pitching staff and position players to take a lead over Saint Paul in game 2 but by the eighth inning, the RailCats went to their closer Derek Lopez. To keep the Saints from their trademark come from behind win Lopez held the Saints off allowing Gary a badly needed 10-9 win. The series continued after a travel day from Saint Paul to Gary.

On Friday September 9, 2005 at the U.S. Steel Yard, game 3 was a battle but Saint Paul got the win edging themselves that much closer to their "drive for five". Saint Paul fell to Gary, completely shut out in game 4 by RailCats starting pitcher Cody Fisher and closer Derek Lopez. The Saints attempted come from behind winning style was shut down by the RailCats pitching staff again in game five sending the RailCats up against Fargo-Moorhead for their first Northern League Championship run in their four seasons in the NL.

The drive for the 2005 Northern League Championship continues Tuesday night in Fargo-Moorhead as Gary comes face to face with the winingest team in the league this season. The series will be best of five with two games played in Fargo, North Dakota Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Games 3, and then 4 through 5 if necessary will be played at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary. Watch out baseball fans this is going to be one heck of a showdown for the 2005 Northen League Championship.

RailCats Win Southern Division Title

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats win the Southern Division title against the Saint Paul Saints at the U.S. Steel Yard on Sunday on September 11, 2005.

RailCats Win Semi-Final Series Against Saint Paul

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats win the semi-final series taking any possibility of a 2005 Championship away from the Saint Paul Saints at the U.S. Steel Yard on Sunday on September 11, 2005.

Fireworks At Midway Stadium

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Fireworks at Midway Stadium after playoff Game 2 with the Saint Paul Saints and the Gary SouthShore RailCats on September 7, 2005.

RailCats Coach Joe Gates

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - RailCats Coach Joe Gates cheers on Gary fans in celebration of a Gary win in Game 2 of the Northen League playoffs on Wednesday, September 7, 2005.

RailCats RHP Travis Kerber

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - RailCats RHP Travis Kerber watches from the bullpen as RailCats RHP Derek Lopez pitches the RailCats to a 10-9 victory over the Saint Paul Saints at Midway Stadium for Game 2 of the Northern League playoffs on Wednesday, September 7, 2005.

RailCats Infielder Tanner Townsend

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - RailCats Infielder Tanner Townsend slides safely into third as the RailCats work for their first playoff win against the Saint Paul Saints in the Northern League in Game 2 at Midway Stadium on September 7, 2005.

RailCats Celebrate Tie With Saint Paul

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats celebrate tie with Saint Paul for first in the Northen League Southern Division.

RailCats Celebrate Southern Division Tie

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats celebrate after tieing for first with the Saint Paul Saints for the Southern Division on September 4, 2005.

RailCats RHP Travis Kerber

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats RHP Travis Kerber throws his final pitch against the Joliet JackHammers to end the game and celebrate the Gary SouthShore RailCats Southern Divisional tie for first with the Saint Paul Saints on September 4, 2005.

RailCats Ready For Action

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats ready for action against the Joliet JackHammers during their final regular season game at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 4, 2005.

RailCats RHP Randy Vanderplow

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats RHP Randy Vanderplow pitches relief against the Joliet JackHammers at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 4, 2005.

RailCats LHP Cody Fisher

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats LHP Cody Fisher throws against the Joliet JackHammers in the final home game of the regular season at the U.S. Steel Yard.

RailCats Catcher Alex Taylor

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Catcher Alex Taylor hits a double off the JackHammers on September 3, 2005.

RailCats Infielder Tanner Townsend

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Infielder Tanner Townsend at bat against the Joliet JackHammers on September 3, 2005.

RailCats Infielder Eric McNamee

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Infielder Eric McNamee throws to Tanner Townsend at first for an out against the Joiliet JackHammers on September 3, 2005.

RailCats LHP Jamie Bennett

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats LHP Jamie Bennett pitches a complete
game to earn his 10th win this season.

RailCats Celebrate At The U.S. Steel Yard

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats celebrate at the U.S. Steel Yard after winning a spot in the Northern League Semi-Final Series on September 2, 2005.

Rusty The RailCat Joins The celebration

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - Rusty the RailCat joins all the excitment of the RailCats success on September 2, 2005.

Elated RailCats Celebrate Their First Playoff Spot

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - Elated RailCats celebrate their first playoff spot at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 2, 2005.

RailCats Elated

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats LHP Tim Alveraz legs stick out from the middle of a dog pile of elated RailCats players after winning a playoff spot for the first time in their four year history with the Northern League.

RailCats Win

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats RHP Derek Lopez is greated with elation from his teammates as the Gary SouthShore RailCats win a spot in the playoffs on September 2, 2005.

RailCats RHP Derek Lopez

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats RHP Derek Lopez gets ready for his final pitch against the Joliet JackHammers as the RailCats win a spot in the 2005 Northern League playoffs.

The Spirit, The Will To Win

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur."- Vince Lombardi

GARY, Ind. - The third game of the final regular season series against Saint Paul ended tonight with a RailCats win over the Saints placing the RailCats one game closer to the playoffs. The Saints will continue their final road trip and head to Schaumburg to finish out the regular season against the Flyers before returning to Midway Stadium for the playoffs on Tuesday September 6, 2005. The RailCats finish out their season at home against the Joliet JackHammers with their final game Sunday afternoon at the U.S. Steel Yard.

With only three days left in the regular season St. Paul and Fargo-Moorhead lead their respective divisions. Currently Fargo-Moorhead leads the NL North, Saint Paul leads the NL South, Lincoln is one game out of first, and Gary is one game out of first while leading in the wild card spot.

Fridays games:

Joliet at Gary
Fargo-Moorhead at Sioux Falls
Sioux City at Lincoln
St. Paul at Schaumburg
Kansas City at Calgary
Winnipeg at Edmonton

RailCat RHP Derek Lopez

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCat RHP Derek Lopez pitches against the Saint Paul Saints at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 1, 2005.

RailCats John Gonzalez And Alex Taylor

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats LHP John Gonzalez and Catcher Alex Taylor in the bullpen on September 1, 2005 during a game against the Saint Paul Saints.

RailCats Coach Joe Gates

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Coach Joe Gates during the National Anthem at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 1, 2005.

RailCats Pitching Coach Brendan Sagara

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Pitching Coach Brendan Sagara during the National Anthem at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 1, 2005.

RailCats Coach Haines And Manager Greg Tagert

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats Hitting Coach Andy Haines and Manager Greg Tagert during the National Anthem at the U.S. Steel Yard on September 1, 2005.

RailCats RHP Willie Glen

Niki Paton / Baseball Notions

GARY, Ind. - RailCats RHP Willie Glen warms up in the bullpen with Pitching Coach Brendan Sagara before starting in Thursdays game against the Saint Paul Saints at the U.S. Steel Yard.