South Bend Cubs 2018 Media Guide
1 President Joe Hart, Owner Andrew Berlin, Cubs President Theo Epstein and Cubs Senior Vice President Jason McLeod n the first six years of his ownership, affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, the additions of the splash pad, the tiki hut, IAndrew Berlin and his staff have turned team was a hit among locals, drawing an and plenty of new food options across the the South Bend baseball franchise from average of 250,000 fans each season. concourse, Four Winds Field has become a rustbelt dud to Minor League gold South Bend has always been known for a destination for baseball fans from across standard. college sports with the University of Notre the country. Dame. However, professional sports were The story of how the Chairman and CEO new on the scene in the late ‘80s. Looking “We needed to improve everything,” of Berlin Packaging acquired the team has back at the numbers, Hart found that Berlin said. “From the cleanliness, to been well documented, including the date baseball fans in South Bend were present, infrastructure, quality of food, sponsorship, down to the minute (November 11, 2011 at but the ballpark amenities and experiences merchandise… everything needed an 11:11am). But what was the secret ingredi- were not up to par. upgrade.” ent that brought new life into a historical ballpark and baseball team that had lost “We immediately joined every chamber of As the franchise made these massive its identity? commerce within 60 miles of the ballpark,” improvements, the fan base in South Bend Hart said. “As much as I wanted the public grew at a rapid pace.
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