Tuesday, May 12, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS – The 2010 Horizon League Baseball Championship will be played at the U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, Ind.  The double-elimination tournament, hosted by Valparaiso University, will run from May 26-30.

Built in 2003, the U.S. Steel Yard is home to the two-time Northern League champion Gary SouthShore RailCats.  The state-of-the-art Independent League facility boasts 6,000 stadium seats, 18 luxury suites, a large picnic area, kid’s playground and video scoreboard.

The venue, near the intersection of Interstates 65 and 90 in Northwest Indiana, will be a central location for all participating teams.  Each school will be able to drive to Gary in less than six hours.

A bracket, game times and tickets prices for the 2010 tournament will be announced at a later date.

The 2009 Horizon League Baseball Championship, hosted by Cleveland State University, will take place May 19-24 at the Pipe Yard Stadium in Lorain, Ohio.  The University of Illinois at Chicago, a member since 1994, has won four of the past six tournaments.

UIC, Wright State University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee are currently 1-2-3 in the Horizon League standings, while Valparaiso, Youngstown State University, Cleveland State and Butler University round out the field.

UIC posted the Horizon League’s last NCAA Baseball Tournament victory in 2008.

For more information on all Horizon League Championships, please visit www.horizonleague.org.  For more info on the Gary SouthShore RailCats, visit www.railcatsbaseball.com.  For more info on Valparaiso University athletics, visit www.valpoathletics.com.

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Quoting Horizon League Commissioner Jonathan B. LeCrone

“We are excited to be working with the Gary SouthShore RailCats and Valparaiso University in preparation for the 2010 Horizon League Baseball Championship.  The U.S. Steel Yard is a first-class facility, and offers a fantastic experience for our student-athletes, coaches, umpires, tournament personnel and fans.  This championship is a quality collegiate event, and we’re happy the Northwest Indiana community will be able to enjoy it.”

Quoting Gary SouthShore RailCats President/General Manager Roger Wexelberg

“We are looking forward to bringing the Horizon League Baseball Championship here to the Region in 2010.  The Horizon League has a track record of producing quality baseball talent, and we’re excited about putting those student-athletes on display at U.S. Steel Yard.”

Quoting Valparaiso Baseball Head Coach Tracy Woodson

“We are excited to be hosting the 2010 Horizon League Championship at such a premier facility in Northwest Indiana.  We are looking forward to five exciting days of baseball and showcasing the talent within our League.”