Photos by Eric Hasman and Paul Baker, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
U.S. Steel Yard One Stadium Plaza Gary, IN 46402
Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 6,139
Hitting the Right Notes in Gary
The building of U.S. Steel Yard caused quite a bit of stir because of where it was being built (apparently Gary doesn't have a great reputation) and the high price tag (over $40 million). The baseball park itself is a quite nice.
The exterior is a red brick facade that extends all the way down both streets it is built on (Stadium Plaza and Route 12). The design of the ballpark has an open concourse overlooking the field with luxury boxes stacked above. The concourse is almost a full 360-degrees which allows fans plenty of places to wander. They are currently doing construction on a bridge which doesn’t allow fans to crossover. So fans have to walk around right field to get to the left field side of the ballpark.
The ballpark is plays big. The dimensions are 320’ to left, 380’ to left center, 400’ to center and 335’ to right and the wall is at least 14’ high. Home runs are hard to come by here.
The RailCats play in the American Association Baseball League.
Food & Beverage 4
The food and beverage have changed a bit over the years, but the variety of options is pretty good and reasonably priced.
The 3 main concession stands are behind home plate (the Region) and the down the left and right field lines. The “Region” stand serves up hamburgers ($6) and hot dogs ($5). 18th Street Brewery has a smoked pulled chicken sandwich ($9), a pork sandwich ($10) and Italian sausage ($8). The “Broadway” stand serves a Chicken Tender basket for $10, Bratwursts ($6) and Beggars pizza for $7.
“Herbkoe” Fun Foods, down the right field line, is for desserts. Here you can get ice cream cones ($6-$10), ice cream nachos ($12), an ice sandwich $10 or cheesecake on stick for $9 and a chocolate covered banana $5. Next to the Herbkoe's is a pierogi stand which has sells 3 or 5-potato and cheese pierogis served with onions and sour cream for $6 or $8 (on Wednesdays, pierogis sell for $1.
If soft pretzels are your thing this is the place for you. The best soft pretzel in any ballpark I have had is here, it is the “Ben’s Pretzel.” The pretzels are made on site and are delicious. They sell for $7 and come as a whole pretzel or pretzel bites.
Domestic drafts are $7 for a 20-ounce and premium drafts are $9 for a 20-ounce. The Leinie Lounge Bar serves Leinenkugel drafts, Barefoot wine, White Claw, Yuengling, Modelo, Twisted Tea, Oberon, local brewery IPAs and mixed drinks between $7 and $11. Pepsi products and water range from $5-$6.
Atmosphere 3
In 2021, the RailCats completed some updates to the park. The bullpens were moved from the first and third base warning tracks into right field, where new outfield fencing and wall pads were installed. This made hitting home runs to right field a lot easier. In addition, three seating sections down the right field line were removed to create a family-friendly berm area where visitors can enjoy the games from their blankets. There is also protective netting extending from dugout to dugout.
The team gift shop, McShane’s South Shore Depot, is huge. A great selection of jerseys, caps, and t-shirts and other swag are available to purchase.
Behind the batter’s eye in center field is a small children’s playground area. In addition, there is a small deck with lounge chairs and a water fountain that is shaped like home plate.
The right field concourse area has a building which is vacant and used to be various restaurants. Hopefully, the RailCats can do something with this building. It is not a good look to have a vacant building at a ballpark.
Rusty the RailCat, the mascot, dances on the team dugout, poses for pictures and is available for pictures and hugs by fans of all ages.
The ballpark borders on E. 4th Avenue and I-90 to the point where extensive netting is in place to keep balls from smashing into cars on the adjoining street.
Neighborhood 1
The ballpark suffers from being in a less than desirable neighborhood and there is not much do around the park before or after the game. The stadium is near the exit and entrance ramp to I-90 and many will look in neighboring cities for options after the game.
About a 10-minute drive from the park is Michael Jackson’s boyhood home, located on 2300 Jackson Street. Fans of the King of Pop can take photos of the old home and venture to Broadway to the closed Palace Theater that displays the Jackson Five are playing “tonite.”
Gary is home to the 18th Street Brewery and Taproom that is regarded among the state’s acclaimed craft beers. Enjoy beers such as Candi Crushable Pale Ale and Best Patio Pils (my favorites) at the taproom. And, just a few miles down the road in Munster, Indiana, is the state’s most recognizable craft brewery, Three Floyds Brewpub. Their restaurant has closed, but you can still buy their year-round brews...Zombie Dust, Jinx Pproof, Gumballhead and Turbo Reaper. Of course, they have seasonal beers too.
Gary is nearby the Indiana Dunes National Park that provides trails for hiking and sandy beaches for cooling off during the summer. Michigan City Outlet Mall offers a few hours to search for deals, and Chicago is less than a half hour away by car.
In addition, the Majestic Star Casino and Hard Rock Casinos are about a 15-minute drive from the ballpark. Both casinos have plenty of restaurants and gambling with sports books (but they don’t take bets on the RailCats), if that is your thing.
Fans 3
The fans are pretty much there for the game. Of course, some are there just to hang out and have a good time. The fans do get in involved with the on-field promotions, which is nice. The main on-field guy is Jason who has been there a long time. He has a lot of energy and gets people involved. The people like their baseball are used to the winning ways of the team. The RailCats have six (6) appearances in the Championship and with three (3) Championships. Though, the past nine (9) years have been rough with only 2 (two) playoff appearances.
Access 4
Getting to the park is very easy since it is near the highway which provides easy in and out. In addition, free parking can be found in numerous small lots that are a short distance from the park. While the park is located in a rundown area, there is plenty of police presence, so fans should not be concerned for their safety.
The wide-open concourse wraps around the entire field and allows visitors access to bathrooms, concession areas, and exits/entrances.
Return on Investment 4
The ticket pricing options are among the better values in the area and in independent baseball. Terrace seating tickets start at $10 and reserved seating is $14. Suite bar seating is $25. There is a dollar surcharge when purchased on the day of the game and for “Fireworks” Friday nights, the tickets are a $1 more.
The RailCats have daily deals such as All You Can Eats Monday: $18-All you can eat hot dogs, popcorn and peanuts; Taco Tuesday offer $3 beef tacos and $5 margaritas; Pierogi Wednesday – $1 pierogis and $5 12oz Craft Beer; Thirsty Thursday nights feature $3 domestic beer. Friday are fireworks and Saturdays are a giveaway night.
Extras 2
The staff is very friendly and personable. They do a great job making you feel valued and at home.
Banners of past RailCat players adorn the concourse. It is always nice to see a team recognize their history. In addition, the RailCats have 4 retired numbers: #42 for Jackie Robinson, #23 for Wille Glen (RailCats career leader in nearly every measurable pitching category and is an amazing 43-11 with a 3.03 ERA in 88 career RailCats games), #27 Greg Tagert (former longtime manager who won 3 Championships) and #45 for Joe Gates (a former coach of the RailCats).
Final Thoughts
U.S. Steel Yard is a really nice ballpark and one of my favorites because it plays big (lots of triples). Even though it is not located in the best of neighborhoods, it is safe and a place any ballpark enthusiast should see.
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