I'm here at my favorite place in South Bend.

I love it so much that we actually had our wedding reception here, so that's how much I love it.

But every season we come here to South Bend Cubs and I'm here with Joe Hart, who's the president of South Bend Cubs.

Joe, this place just keeps on growing.

Yeah, absolutely.

And I do.

I remember when you had your reception.

That was a great day.

It was a great, great day.

I don't even think you did that at the time.

I think we just.

We made it special for you.

That's what we do here at South Bend.

We make memories.

And obviously, as you can see, with all the new renovations, we're going to create new memories and a lot of it is, is we added a second level.

We got a new event space building 20,000ft².

So just change after change after change.

Our community deserves it.

And we said that from day one.

Andrew Berlin has been phenomenal.

The city has been great.

And you know, for us it's just when people come to us for Winfield, we just want them to have a great time.

Hey, we always have a great time and I love how you make it so financially accessible for the entire community, too.

I mean, it really is an inexpensive way to spend, you know, 3 or 4 hours.

It's great.

And that's the biggest thing for us is, you know, we're always known for family entertainment, but it's got to be affordable.

We want people to be able to come out.

Anybody that lives in this community should have the opportunity to come out.

And, you know, maybe it's not a Friday or Saturday, but we do some ticket specials on Tuesday nights and other nights.

But again, it's it's what it's all about as being good community partners and letting our community and region enjoy such a great find facility here in South Bend.

Absolutely.

And you know, you can also get food here without feeling like, you know, you have to break the bank.

I mean, it's just I really do appreciate that.

You know, I know that all these renovations come at a cost, but I feel like you guys have always been so responsible about making it accessible for families, which, as somebody with a little one here with me right now and another one and we have our tickets where we're picking them up this evening ready for this season.

But it's, it really matters that you can do that over and over again and that it's not just a one time kind of, you know, going out with the family and you're like, well, we can only do that once, or, you know, you can do it over and over, whichever you like.

And that's the key is like, you know, you're looking for good family entertainment, safe, affordable.

And that's that's kind of what we've built here at Four Winds Field.

And, you know, don't get me wrong, I love going to Chicago Cubs games, but it's a little bit higher price point.

So you know you can come here.

You can come out multiple times.

The kids can play in the Splashpad can play in the inflatables.

And you know, our tagline here is where everyone comes to play.

And it was always meant to be a symbol of yes, everybody can come out here and play.

You don't have to be just a player on the field.

Kids can play in the splash pad, adults can play at the tiki hut, so we're just continuing to build on that and here we are.

I have played hard in the past, but this year but no longer, you know, I get it, I get it.

I'm a responsible adult now.

Eventually, but no.

And tell me about the renovations.

Like what's going on?

What was the need for this?

You know?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, that was the real draw.

The biggest thing for us was his one.

Yes.

We had a lot of games that we were drawn, you know, 6 or 7000 people, and we needed some more space.

But this facility was never really built to accommodate anything over 4500 people.

So for us, we added the second level.

We wanted to create some new indoor spaces with some new unique, indoor suites.

The old suites were pretty old, pretty small.

So we gave us the ability to expand there, more party areas, new concessions.

For us, it was really about expanding the use of the ballpark so people can go anywhere and everywhere just so people can enjoy themselves.

We have restrooms now in the outfield.

Everything you had to go into the concourse and on a Friday or Saturday night, it was pretty busy.

So now we're able to expand people out and, you know, it is actually it's a nice day today, but it's a little bit cold.

You know, I got my windbreaker on, but, my daughter here, so but again, with all of this, it's just it's really wonderful to see.

Is is there any other reason for the expansion?

I mean, I know we hear lots of rumors about, you know, the future of the South Bend Cubs and everything.

And, you know, not to put you on the spot, but, you know, I mean, obviously, this investment can mean lots of things for the future.

Yeah.

And I think the number one thing is we get asked, would we ever be a Triple-A facility?

Yeah.

You know, obviously we're currently in our agreement through the year 2030 with the Cubs.

Yeah.

As a single affiliate.

And you know, obviously, you know, if that opportunity presents itself yeah, we will certainly welcome that.

But the biggest thing is I want to let people know is we didn't do any of this for that.

We did it for the community.

They deserve to have the best.

And again, if the Cubs came to us and said, hey, would South Bend be our Triple-A affiliate?

Yeah, we would love to do that.

But, you know, we've built this just for the ability to have our fans come out and enjoy themselves one way or another.

And, you know, hopefully that would happen.

But, you know, we're at least locked into the year 2030 as a Single-A affiliate.

And boy, it's nice just to be a Cubs affiliate.

Yeah.

Oh it absolutely is.

And you know I know Andrew Berlin.

You know the owner.

He brings a lot of connection there too with that.

And it's it's just it works so well.

And you know all the buildings around here I mean the whole area is being transformed, not just inside the ballpark.

Yeah.

It's hard to believe this is going to be our 14th year since Andrew bought the ball club.

The amount of transition that has happened in downtown South Bend around the area.

We got new apartments going up across the street from the Performance Center.

You got Ivy alley that opened up about a block and a half away.

We've got shamrocks that's getting ready to open in our building here in the next couple days.

Los speranza.

So you're starting to see a lot of development around the ballpark.

And that was Andrew's number one thing when he, you know, came to the city is let South Bend, you know, benefit from, you know, us being here at the time the Silver Hawks and he made a lot of investment.

And here we are now just doing even more and love it.

Again, I think in, in our 2 or 3 years right around us can be even different again.

Yeah, absolutely.

I'm half listening to you and half listening to my daughter asking me questions down here.

This is the joy of, doing things like this.

You know, it's like, you know, a lot of the kids with you.

You know, I remember when I moved here 14 years ago, I found a picture last week.

My son was three.

My daughter was one and a half, and they were standing on the mound next to swoop at the time.

And it just brings back a lot of good memories.

I've been able to raise my family.

Here's what's is I do this as a profession, and I love doing it for community.

My family was raised up here, and it's it's a lot of fun.

And that's why we enjoy doing what we do.

It goes fast, doesn't it?

Does.

Well, you enjoy it?

Absolutely.

I'm enjoying every minute.

You know, starting a little bit older, I, I kind of joke that this, being 42 and having young kids, I should be sponsored by like, ibuprofen or icy hot or something, you know.

Absolutely.

You get on the ground and you get back up and you're like, oh, you know, but it's it's wonderful.

It's the best thing in the world.

And that's why I think now I have a much more of an appreciation for just how family friendly this ballpark is and how much I love the games, too.

Yeah, the quality of the games.

We get a lot of good players here too.

I know we talk about everything else with the game, but, you know, I really do love watching the game now as well.

Well, I think the fun thing was is for us last week when you saw the World Baseball Classic in the Championship, you had Pedro Armstrong, who came in the game late in the game playing center field for USA.

Your Daniel Palencia, who closed it out for Venezuela.

Both those guys played here in South Bend.

They were actually both on the 2022 championship team for us.

So there's a lot of guys that you now see playing in the big leagues that run the field here for wins field, and I think that's the coolest thing is you get to see that you do.

And I know sometimes when players are coming back from injury they might be here too.

But but as you said looking forward, there's so many players that are here and now that you know it's nice.

It's a I think it's almost more special to see them here before they get big than seeing them recovering from something.

Absolutely.

That's just me personally because you get to see them grow, you know?

Yeah, absolutely.

I mean, you look at I think last year at the end of the season for the Cubs, there were 12 or 13 guys on the big league roster that played here.

Justin Steele, Nico Horner you know Ian on and on on Miguel Amaya.

There's just so many guys that come through here.

So the best thing for us is I loved our time as the Silver Hawks.

But as a Cubs affiliate, you can watch a guy here.

And then when they advance and play at Wrigley, you can still drive over and see him.

You have that connection.

Absolutely.

Now I love that.

And you know, I did not like hot dogs.

I'll be honest with you.

I was never into hot dogs.

I feel like hot dogs need a mention here.

But yeah, the hot, you know, I always felt like hot dogs were like, the worst meat, you know?

Just like I never liked it.

It just.

It's not a thing in Ireland.

I just never liked it, you know, when I moved here.

But the hot dogs here are really good.

Know?

The best hot dogs in baseball are Bruins field.

I mean, they really are.

So that is cool.

And look, if Mark McGill ever decides to leave, let me be the on field announcer with you because every time I see him, I'm like, Mark, I'm so jealous.

You get to have the most fun at all these games.

Absolutely.

No, this is very cool.

And again, you know, all the expansion is super cool.

Yes, babe, you you want a hot dog?

Yeah.

See, she, You got it.

You got a brainwash?

Absolutely.

And that's what we like.

See?

Start them young.

Yeah.

Start.

I'm young.

Sorry.

I'm young.

Well, we're going to be here.

We got our tickets right behind home plate, which I'm really excited for this year.

Got our two week old going to be with us as well this year.

So awesome.

Again I'm very excited.

So thank you so much.

To you and Andrew and all the staff.

Everyone here is always so nice when you come in as well.

There's just something about the culture.

It's our pleasure.

I mean, that really is our culture.

It's all about customer service because I can't control what happens on the field.

You know, these are all young Cubs players, but I can't control your experience.

When you go to a concession stand or how you're greeted by the usher ticket to the ballpark clean.

Those are what I can control.

And that's where our focus is.

And that's always going to be the case because you deserve the best when you come out here.

Our fans, we know there's a lot of opportunities to do things in Michiana.

And, you know, if we're on the top of the list to come out, you bet.

We're going to make sure we give you the time that you deserve.

And again, focused on family a lot.

April 5th, do you have an Easter egg hunt coming up as well?

Right.

And there's lots of events.

Yeah.

It's the first time us having a home game on Easter and probably eight, 8 or 9 years.

So again, it's such a good day.

It's family friendly.

We're doing an Easter egg hunt here.

We're doing, two different time frames.

I think we're going from like 1 to 5 is going to be pregame and then six through 12 will be post game.

So come on out.

Also, it's going to be the first Sunday we're doing autographs for the players on the field.

You can go down and play catch.

So we got so much going on, but nothing better on Easter than doing an Easter egg hunt.

And the Easter Bunny is going to be here as well that day.

You're killing it.

So thank you and I can't wait to see all the expansion it's going to be phenomenal.

I'm ready for it to be done.

I, I love it.

It's been on the line for about 16 months now.

It'll be nice when it's all said and done.

Absolutely.

And hopefully you'll fix the field before we.

Yeah.

Yeah, absolutely.

I mean they're getting ready to laser grade it.

It's I mean, I wish my, my yard doesn't look this green in the middle of summer.

So our grounds crew does a phenomenal job.

You're out there working already?

Awesome.

Well, I can't wait for the first game.