Is Top Gun this year’s Back to the Future? The Gary SouthShore RailCats, minor league baseball team in the independent American Association, feel the need for speed—they’ll celebrate the 30th anniversary of that noted cultural institution and Tom Cruise vehicle Top Gun this season. On July 23, the team will take to the field wearing uniforms modeled after the flight suit worn by Maverick, featuring patches, a zipper, and a nameplate.
“The uniform stays true to the theme but also incorporates details pertaining to that specific team, as opposed to having a cookie cutter design with the teams logo slapped on,” said Jeff Tasca of Athletic Knit, the firm responsible for the design.
“We gave the RailCat front logo and jersey numbers a Top Gun look to them and we even did a few additional adjustments to fit the team,” Tasca said. “In this case, we turned the TOMCAT logo on the sleeve into a RAILCATS logo.” (These are illustrated above, courtesy of Athletic Knit, as partial close-ups because the full design is still in process.)
The promotional night will involve a few more amenities beyond the Per the team’s website:
This EXCITING night at the ballpark will also include “Top Gun” décor, 80s music, and contests centered on the movie. Fans born in 1986 can receive a free reserved seat ticket to the night’s game by singing “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” at the box office. In honor of Goose’s backup career, Truck Drivers can receive a free reserved seat ticket to the game with proof of employment. All fighter jets receive free VIP parking (space limited).
The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game to benefit the Hobart Jaycees Foundation.
