LIVE: RailCats season opener vs. Lincoln Saltdogs

GARY | The RailCats open their season at home for the first time since 2010, and the last time it was this early in May was 2008.

RAILCATS: Former Japanese pitcher joins roster

The RailCats will be the first American home to right-handed pitcher Takahiro Matsuka, a reliever with Japanese Major League experience.

RailCats host May 2 open tryout, $50 fee

The RailCats will host their annual Open Player Tryout at U. S. Steel Yard on Thursday, May 2. The tryout costs $50, which must be paid in cash only on the day of the tryout. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. for position players and 11:30 a.m. for pitchers.

Cristian Guerrero returns to the RailCats

The RailCats return all-time home run leader Cristian Guerrero to the team with the signing announced Monday.

RailCats exercise contract options on 18 players.

On Monday, the RailCats picked up the contract options on 18 players including eight pitchers, both catchers, three outfielders and five infielders.

RailCats decline options on six players

The RailCats have declined the contract options on six players, including long-time infielders Mike Rohde and Chris Carrara.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Lemurs, Say Goodbye to 2012

GARY | The RailCats play their final game of the regular season -- which turns out to be the final game of 2012 thanks to missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year -- against Laredo on Monday.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Lemurs, scare away the rain

GARY | If you're headed to U.S. Steel Yard already, or packing up the car to do so, be prepared to see a game.

FIRST PITCH: Brandon Egebrecht

GARY | Lake Central senior Brandon Egebrecht was welcomed to his first baseball game with a team jersey and the announcement that he'd be throwing out the first pitch.

LIVE: RailCats vs. St. Paul, final regular-season homestand begins

GARY | The RailCats enter their final seven games of the season having moved a starting pitcher to the inactive list on Tuesday.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Goldeyes, Afternoon Delight

GARY | It's get-away day for both Winnipeg and the RailCats, so U.S. Steel Yard is entertaining a businessman's special game beginning at 12:10 p.m.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Winnipeg, Mike Coles returns to U.S. Steel Yard

GARY | When Mike Coles was traded to the Winnipeg Goldeyes, it was in part because RailCats manager Greg Tagert said he wanted to move the Hammond High grad to a club in a playoff hunt.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Sioux Falls, chance for series sweep

GARY | The RailCats last series sweep was against Amarillo, Aug. 7-9 and could repeat the feat with a win over Sioux Falls on Sunday.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Sioux Falls Pheasants, game away from .500

GARY | The RailCats are a win away from hitting two key milestones: capturing their fourth straight series for the first time this year and reaching .500 for the first time since June 13.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Amarillo, 16-inning recovery edition

GARY | The RailCats didn't make any moves heading into Thursday's series finale against Amarillo.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Amarillo, weather edition

GARY | The RailCats took only about 10 minutes of batting practice before being chased off the field by the tarp crew.

FIRST PITCH: Krystle Golumbeck

GARY | Krystle Golumbeck wanted to see the world, so she found a way for the government to pay for her trip.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Amarillo

GARY | The Amarillo Sox owned the RailCats during the Gary team's three-team trip to Texas.

RailCats trade Hammond High grad Mike Coles

GARY | The RailCats traded Hammond High grad Mike Coles to Winnipeg for in exchange for reliever Dexter Carter and a player to be named later.

LIVE: RailCats vs. Saints, Bring on the rain

GARY | The RailCats pulled the tarp on the field at 4:27 p.m. The front office crew is standing in the rain to hold down one side of the tarp, which needs to be anchored.

FIRST PITCH: Negro League Legends

GARY | Johnny "Lefty" Washington doesn't get out much to play catch any more.

LIVE: RailCats welcome St. Paul Saints

GARY | The RailCats return to U.S. Steel Yard with one win in their last three and a drop from third place in the American Association Central Division to fourth.