South Bend Cubs Gameday Program - April 2022

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APRIL 2022

There’s Nothing Like Baseball Season at Four Winds Field!

Anticipation for the South Bend Cubs and the 2022 Midwest League season is filled with excitement and emotion. After all, each new season is promising for the team and our fans. Late in the season last year, I was enjoying the ambience of this place and started to think about all that we’ve accomplished together. It’s a lot.

When I purchased the team back in 2011, I made some pretty fantastic promises.

Some people even thought I was crazy – “… how could he make such impossible promises.” But, along with a talented front office, we delivered on everything I said we would. And then we made more promises.

That’s how we work here -- one ‘impossible’ goal after the next – always delivering and exceeding. And for each lofty goal we achieve, we immediately set a new lofty goal in its place.

South Bend Cubs Chairman & Owner Andrew Berlin

It’s the reason you, your family and friends can count on being together and having fun at Four Winds Field. This is a place where you and future major league players can rub elbows – a place where top notch hospitality, terrific food, drink and wholesome family fun have set the standard for other teams across the country.

The reward? It’s probably not what you think. For me, it’s smiles -- thousands and thousands of smiles, all summer long!

The road to the World Series starts in South Bend – here’s why.

Every time I walk through the tunnel and emerge behind home plate, I’m reminded of how much has changed in this ballpark – we’ve accomplished a lot over the past decade. It’s taken time and effort. But it’s impressive.

And it’s one of the reasons I’m fond of saying ‘The road to the World Series starts in South Bend.”

Just ask the Chicago Cubs. When they selected South Bend as their new affiliate following the 2014 season, it was one-part professional compliment, one-part the security of knowing that here in South Bend, their players and coaches would enjoy the best possible facilities and treatment in the Minor League system. By the time Theo Epstein and the Cubs arrived, we’d already been building something special in in this place. But to be honest, that’s when the rest of the baseball world noticed!

In 2016, the Chicago Cubs really did win the World Series. It was destiny. And we were all part of the plan.

Today, along with the top Chicago Cubs prospects, you and I have become accustomed to the 1st Source Performance Center -- one of the best indoor practice facilities in minor league baseball. Again, just ask the Chicago Cubs. It’s one of the reasons they’re here.

When the Performance Center was done, we built The Ivy at Berlin Place – the first ‘all-new’ luxury apartments for downtown South Bend in over fifty years. It’s now bursting with activity and residents. And the United Federal Credit Union Rooftop over the left field wall, has become South Bend’s own version of Wrigleyville, complete with first class amenities and viewing experiences just like Chicago.

Add the Miller Lite Tiki Hut, the Pepsi Stadium Club, the Dairy Queen Home Run Porch, the ever-popular splashpad and more, and there’s something to suit the taste of every South Bend Cubs fan whatever their age, whatever their likes. The Four Winds Field experience is for everyone. And we promise to keep it that way for years to come.

And of course, there’s professional baseball being played down on that field. Over the past 7 years, many of the players you’ve watched at Four Winds Field, have made it to the Majors and Wrigley Field in Chicago -- players

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CUBS CONNECTION GAME PROGRAM

like Ian Happ, David Bote, Adbert Alzolay, and Nico Hoerner. That’s not going to stop. Every year, more future Major League players arrive in South Bend. “The road to the World Series starts here, at Four Winds Field.”

Today is a refreshing reminder.

After an entire season cancelled due to the 2020 pandemic, it was a great to get back to the things we all love in 2021 – baseball and Four Winds Field among them. But COVID was still a factor. The season started late. And we were all still recovering This season will be different – more normal. And we have everyone, including you to thank. The resilience of America’s frontline workers, you and your friends have made it all possible.

In Chicago, there are new decision makers in the front office. They’ve made Lance Rymel the new manager for our South Bend Cubs. Lance, whose prior stops include Arizona and the Northeast League, has shown great ambition and a keen ability to get the best out of players. He has a great future in baseball and we’re lucky to have him in South Bend.

In the stadium, you’ll also notice newly upgraded LED lights. It’s a big improvement that will enhance the stadium experience in exciting new ways. More than just bright, these new lights will help make big moments in the ballpark even more impactful with special effects to enhance homeruns, our world-renowned fireworks shows and more.

Then there’s tomorrow!

The last decade in South Bend has been a heartfelt gift to me, my family and friends. All of us are unbelievably thankful for the experience. And now we’re excited about what is yet to come. The second decade in South Bend will be more exciting than the first.

We’ve extended our partnership with the Chicago Cubs through the year 2030. And we’ve extended our lease at Four Winds Field all the way to the year 2041. Never before has anyone made this kind of commitment to professional sports in the city of South Bend.

The most exciting news of all? It’s sitting on my desk right now. And I can’t wait to share it with you. Soon, I’ll be unveiling blueprints and plans to expand the stadium – plans that will make this the most talked about Minor League stadium in the entire country.

The best part? This major makeover of Four Winds Field, will not change the recognizability of this ballpark.

The Four Winds Field you know today, will simply be a bigger and better facility when we’re done.

So, thank you all for impacting my life in such a positive manner. You can always reach me by writing to aberlin@SouthBendCubs.com.

And welcome again to the award-winning experience at Four Winds Field. Come here and smile. In return, I promise that we’ll never be done making this the place of memories and fun for you, your family and friends.

Let’s have the best summer yet. Go Cubs Go!

Andrew Berlin AndrewBerlin.com Shield.AI – Managing Director BerlinPackaging.com – Chairman / CEO, Retired SouthBendCubs.com – Chairman and Owner ChicagoCubs.com – Partner

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FROM THE BEND TO THE BIGS A LOOK AT THREE FORMER SOUTH BEND CUBS WHO ARE ON THE CUSP OF MAKING THEIR MLB DEBUTS

By Max Thoma

L

ast year Justin Steele made his big-league debut with the Chicago Cubs on April 12 and as the season wound down Jhon Romero did the same with the Washington Nationals on September 24. They were the first and last of 10 former South Bend Cubs to make their MLB debut in 2021, the most in a single season since South Bend became a Cubs affiliate.

There are sure to be many more players who will debut in 2022 because the journey to Wrigley Field runs through South Bend.

Here’s a look at three guys specifically who all spent significant time playing at Four Winds Field and could appear at “The Friendly Confines” this season.

Brennen Davis (Chicago Cubs #1 prospect, MLB #15 prospect) Not blowing anyone’s mind away with this selection, I know.

What Davis accomplished since being drafted in the second round back in 2018 has blown everyone away. The Cubs drafted a two-sport athlete who excelled on the hardwood, helped his high school team win the 6-A basketball state championship in Arizona, and chose baseball.

Originally committed to the University of Miami (while I was a senior there), Davis had already chosen baseball and upon being drafted by the Cubs out of high school, he chose pro baseball.

That decision is one that will have an

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enormous impact for years to come (not to mention the immediate impact of my Canes going 28-26 in 2018, their worst record since 1966). Davis is the consensus best prospect in the Cubs system, a system chockfull of youth with Brennen Davis receiving boundless talent.

MVP of the MLB Futures Davis spent his Game from Ken Griffey Jr. first season with the Cubs rookie Credit: Getty Images. team in Mesa, Ariz. batting .298 in 18 games with no homers and three RBIs. He wasn’t hitting for power but was drawing a lot of walks and finished with an on-base percentage of .431.

Then the outfield prospect from Chandler, Ariz. took off in South Bend in 2019. Despite missing time due to a nagging index finger injury, Davis batted .305, slugged .525 and managed to rip 20 extra-base hits (54 hits total) in just 50 games. He returned to the lineup and helped the South Bend Cubs to an undefeated postseason and Midwest League Championship.

When there was no Minor League Baseball season in 2020, Davis found himself right back in South Bend with the Cubs alternate site squad. He was the youngest player there and came out of what was a lost season for most with valuable experience against some of the best pitchers the Cubs organization possesses.

Then came 2021. Oh sweet 2021.

After getting hit by a pitch in the head in spring training, Davis missed the start of the season and began the year again in South Bend, technically for the third straight year.

He launched a couple homers and slugged over .600 in eight games before a promotion

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CUBS CONNECTION GAME PROGRAM

to AA-Tennessee.

But the highlight of Davis’ season and of his career to this point actually came during his trip to Denver, leaving the Smokies for a few days to go play in the MLB All-Star Futures Game.

In the fourth Inning Brennen launched a bomb to straight-away center field, over the 415 sign and gone. Two innings later he barreled one deep to left: gone again.

Davis became The first 1,000 fans through the gates for the game on the third player July 27 will receive this in Futures Game Brennen Davis bobblehead, history to smash presented by Toyota. two homers, joining the likes of Alfonso Soriano (1999) and Yusniel Diaz (2018). He received the Larry Doby MVP Award for the game, which was handed to him by Ken Griffey Jr. Asked on the field what it was like to hit multiple homers and be the MVP of a game featuring future MLB All-Stars, Brennen chuckled as Griffey put his arm around him and an ear-to-ear smile adorned his face. “I mean, you can’t describe that.”

Davis represents a bridge to the future, a five-tool player exceeding expectations at every turn and blossoming into one of the best prospects in baseball. The Chicago Cubs minor league talent pool is highlighted by extraordinary youth and raw potential, led by the 22 year old from Arizona who could be a staple in the Cubs lineup for years to come.

With the wave of young talent expected at the A-level in 2022, Davis could be the prospect that ushers in a new core for the Chicago Cubs, one that could in a few years resemble a young core from not too long ago.

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Christopher Morel (Chicago Cubs #21 prospect) Last year Morel reached Triple-A Iowa at the age of 22, the same age as Davis. Recently we’ve seen the Chicago Cubs showcase the defensive versatility of guys like Kris Bryant and Nico Hoerner, guys who can play multiple spots on the infield and go play in the outfield at an above average level. Well Morel is undoubtedly the most versatile player in the Cubs minor league system right now.

Last season he made double-digit starts at center field, third base, right field, shortstop and second base. His best tool according to his scouting grades on MLB Pipeline is his speed (grades as a 60 on the 20-80 scale). He’s only 5-foot-11 but can cover tons of ground at any outfield position and his quickness side to side makes him quite the rangy infielder.

Morel possesses a swing that you watch and can’t help but conjure up an image of Javier Báez: ridiculous bat speed and exit velocities plus the raw effort and force put forth into each and every swing. There’s no doubt Morel has the power to leave the yard many times in a season, and can do so to all fields.

After struggling to make consistent solid contact in 2017 and 2018, Morel busted out with South Bend in 2019. He posted his career mark for slugging Christopher Morel batting (.467) and batting at Four Winds Field during average (.284), the 2019 season. plus registered 28 extra-base Credit: Tim Reilly. hits in 73 games, compared to just 26 XBH the previous two years combined in 115 games.

In 2021 the power surge continued. Morel

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APRIL 2022

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... continued from previous page. set a new career high with 17 home runs, having started the season with 16 in his first three seasons combined. When you have a swing and tools at the plate like Javi Báez, you’re going to strike out, but Morel took a big step forward in his patience at the plate and boosted his walk rate of 4% in 2019 to 10% in 2021.

Morel can swipe bases in droves, cover swaths of real estate in the outfield and mash homers. You can put him at almost any position on the field defensively and he can hold his own. He will most likely start the season in Triple-A Iowa as their Opening Day third baseman. From there it’s just a matter of time and certainly no one would be shocked to see him at Wrigley at some point this season.

Nelson Velazquez (Chicago Cubs #16 prospect) Velazquez was a staple in the South Bend Cubs lineup throughout the majority of 2021 and went from outside the top 30 prospects on MLB Pipeline to starting 2022 at 16 after a scorching hot 2021 in which he led the Cubs system in XBH (45), total basses (191), RBIs (73) and slugging (.496).

The 23 year old launched only four homers with South Bend in 72 games in 2019 but tripled that total to 12 in 69 games last season. His performance through the first few months saw him promoted to AA-Tennessee, where he raked even more.

Velazquez’s first month in Tennessee he won the Cubs Minor League Player of the Month award. In August he played 20 of his 22 games with the Smokies and in between

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his 20 games there and two in South Bend he batted .325 with seven home runs, 22 RBIs, a .402 on-base percentage, .714 slugging and an OPS of 1.117. By the end of the season Nelly had played 34 games at AA and clobbered eight homers.

But his mammoth 2021 didn’t stop there.

Not even close.

Velazquez was named the MVP of the Arizona Fall League after leading the league in homers and OPS. He even mustered up a stretch of six round-trippers in 10 games.

There’s no doubt that Velazquez can knock the cover off the ball, he’s added tremendous strength and muscle to his figure and produces some of the loudest contact in the Cubs MiLB system. In AA he was able to lower his strikeout rate significantly and by November he found himself on the Chicago Cubs 40-man roster, thus avoiding being eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.

It took Velazquez until his fourth season in the minors to really start turning heads, but he’s still just 23 and could be playing in the outfield alongside Brennen Davis to start the season in AAA. By the end of the season though, don’t be surprised if he’s launching balls Nelson Velazquez going out over the Ivy at the onto the field to warm up corner of Clark prior to a game vs Cedar and Addison.

Rapids in 2021. Credit: Tim

Reilly.

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THE STONE AGE ONE-ON-ONE WITH JUSTIN STONE, CHICAGO CUBS DIRECTOR OF HITTING By: Brendan King

I

n the Summer of 2012, a young, bright and studious consultant working for the Chicago Cubs was handed the task of putting together the team’s bat boy list and schedule for the season. The consultant, who many in the organization regarded as a future star in the baseball coaching and development world, was trying to figure out how they could first make an impact in the game.

Thus, grinding away in a small role was the first step.

That same consultant, who helped young kids achieve their dreams of stepping foot and working on the legendary dirt and grass of Wrigley Field, now has a bit different job title with the Cubs.

Today, Justin Stone is the Director of Hitting for the Chicago Cubs.

Working in his third year leading the charge in the new age of Cubs hitting, Stone is the guy that Theo Epstein trusted to help hire for a larger role before he stepped away as the Cubs President of Baseball Operations.

With Jed Hoyer getting promoted from General Manager to Epstein’s old role, Hoyer now works with Stone, along with David Ross and the rest of the Cubs brass, to ensure that their hitters not only receive the greatest possible teaching and training, but also taste success in all areas.

Stone’s path to picking up one of the most

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In October of 2019, Justin Stone was named the New Director of Hitting, overseeing the minor-league hitting infrastructure. (Credit: @elite_baseball). important jobs that the organization has ever offered certainly was not the typical one. The former Eastern Illinois baseball player, now the President of Elite Baseball Training in Chicago, never played in an inning of professional baseball.

His lone coaching experience came as an assistant with the Indiana State Sycamores after his two-sport career of baseball and football with the EIU Panthers. Ironically enough in Terre Haute, Stone coached against an individual that would become a much larger part of his life. Plus, this person relates to the South Bend Cubs; More on that later.

Still, Stone worked everyday to not only spread knowledge, but also acquire as much as possible. The bulk of that came when he was presented with an opportunity to assist the Chicago White Sox in the early 2000s, just as they were making their October and November championship runs.

“I was really fortunate that Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox hitting staff gave me all-access,” Stone said. “I was doing some early high speed video analysis and when they asked me a question, I supplied them an answer on what they weren’t already getting. This was before that technology came available on your iPhone. I had this giant high speed camera that was in the camera well filming at 1000 frames per second to give the coaches a different perspective."

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Of course as the game has evolved, technology changes and will continue to transform. That’s exactly where Stone comes in.

Stone has been regarded as one of the most advanced coaches and teachers in the game today, because of his passion for studying the brand new tech that is available. That’s exactly what is paying dividends now for the Cubs.

Cubs director of hitting Justin Stone, right, laughs with colleagues, including Rachel Folden, left, a new coach for Mesa of the short-season Arizona League.

(John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune - Dec 2, 2019) Obviously though, he needed players to test this new equipment on when he was with the White Sox. Thankfully for Stone, he had the best players in the world just yards away.

“I got to watch the best train on an everyday basis,” Stone said. “Being down on the field watching Paul Konerko and Jim Thome do their routine, and being a fly on the wall watching Ichiro Suzuki come in the cages along with Alex Rodriguez gave me a lot of interesting knowledge on how different guys train in different ways. And that’s precisely what I’ve taken into the Cubs philosophy. We don’t have 120 players doing the same thing, so there has to be 120 philosophies that fit them. We’re trying to apply mechanics that best suits them and their bodies.”

If you show up at Four Winds Field early for a South Bend Cubs game and see players taking batting practice, you may notice the amount of cameras, iPads, and screens around the cage. Every swing, each realm of contact between leather and wood, and all move-

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ments are tracked.

Stone’s team both at Wrigley Field, and around the world, have the same approach.

But when you are a Director of Hitting, how do you make sure each one of those philosophies that Stone discussed are applied in Chicago, Iowa, Tennessee, South Bend, Myrtle Beach, Arizona, and the Dominican Republic in the same manner?

“It’s a daunting task I’m not going to lie,” Stone said. “Luckily I have had a pipeline of people I’ve worked on the private side in the last 20 years. Being able to bring those people in made the transition a lot easier. If I were to pack up and go to the Detroit Tigers tomorrow, I wouldn’t feel very comfortable in being able to do the same thing. There’s not another dozen of those people growing on trees. They have to be groomed over time, and it’s hard to do.”

Those individuals that have been with Stone for years still remain a massive part of their team not just because of their intelligence, but also their patience and determinaDan Puente, the new hitting tion. That guy I coach for the South Bend Cubs alluded to earlier in 2022.

Credit: Chicago Cubs who Stone coached against at Indiana State? None other than new South Bend Cubs hitting coach Dan Puente.

Puente, the former star player for the Bradley Braves, has worked with Stone at Elite Baseball Training for years. Now, Stone is entrusting him with leading the South Bend hitting department.

“Dan is one of our lower level coaches that is extremely well-rounded and talented,” Stone said. “We both worked with the White

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Sox in some capacity at the same time too.

In terms of a career track, everybody in our department has goals for their baseball future.

I think Dan is on a track where he is going to be a big league coach, and is probably the most well-rounded coach on our entire staff.”

The quality of coaching in the Cubs organization has always been a strong suit, but with Stone’s additions, it has become a signature piece. New South Bend Cubs manager Lance Rymel leads the youth movement of managers within the minor league system.

While 2019 South Bend manager Buddy Bailey, the active winningest manager in all of the MiLB, is approaching 40 years of managing experience.

Buddy Bailey honored for over 2,100 career wins during the 2019 Midwest League All-Star Game at Four Winds Field. (June 18, 2019).

Stone’s coaching department obviously receives the benefit of elite talent packing the 40-man roster. When Stone first took over, the likes of Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javy Báez headlined the top hitters. Now home-

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grown young talent such as Brennen Davis, Miguel Amaya, Nico Hoerner, Chase Strumpf, and Andy Weber are all on their way to big things at Wrigley.

Miguel Amaya shoots a double in the gap vs. the West Michigan Whitecaps during Yu Darvish’s rehab assignment. (June 25, 2018).

A new age of big Cubs hitters gives Stone an opportunity to get back to what he loves every day; teaching.

“It’s been fun to watch those names because even as a consultant, I was seeing them as they were entering the organization,” Stone said. “At first, they were learning their craft on the fly, but now they are much more understanding of the one or two things that are very important for them to be successful.”

In the end, everything that Stone’s team preaches is inside a very small circle, as he described it. He continued by saying that everything outside of their own circle is just noise. When a player comes in, they’re bombarded by everything that comes with baseball. When you can fade out that noise, that’s when you become a true pro.

The Stone Age is not only upon us, it’s set to carry on for years to come.

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2022 SOUTH BEND CUBS COACHING STAFF Lance Rymel - Manager

Rymel will manage the South Bend Cubs for the first time after guiding the Rookie League Mesa Cubs in 2021. Rymel also managed the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League in 2021 and won the league title. This will be his seventh season as a coach or manager in the Cubs organization, where he also managed Single-A Eugene in 2019 following two seasons at the helm of the Cubs Dominican Summer League squad in 2017-18. He began his coaching career in 2016 following a three-year minor league playing career as a catcher.

Tony Cougoule - Pitching Coach

Cougoule is back for year two as the team’s pitching coach. Cougoule enters his third year with the Chicago Cubs altogether. Previously, he coached in the same role at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA from 2010-2019, Southeastern Community College from 2008-2009, and Azusa Pacific University from 2006-2007. Cougoule played collegiate baseball at Mount Mercy in Cedar Rapids, IA, earning team MVP and all-conference honors in 2003 & completed his master’s degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific University in 2007.

Dan Puente - Hitting Coach

Puente joins South Bend as the team’s hitting coach. This marks Puente’s third season in the Cubs farm system; he was the hitting coach for low-A Myrtle Beach in 2021. Puente has been a hitting and catching instructor at Elite Baseball Training since 2012, a technology-infused baseball and softball instructional company created by the Cubs Director of Hitting Justin Stone. Puente also served as an associate scout for the Houston Astros and from 2008-12 was the Manager of Youth Baseball Initiatives for the Chicago White Sox.

D’Angelo Jiménez - Bench Coach

Jiménez will serve as the bench coach. He previously held the role of hitting coach for the DSL Cubs in 2021 and this will be his fifth season overall in the organization. Jiménez came up with the Yankees as a player and spent eight years playing in the MLB from 1999 to 2007, appearing with seven different teams.

Seth Clapp

Athletic Trainer

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Dominick Patry-Tremblay

Strength and Conditioning Coach

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SOUTH BEND CUBS 2022 ROSTER

PITCHERS

JOSE ALBERTOS

MAX BAIN

HUNTER BIGGE

CHRIS CLARKE

BRADFORD DEPPERMANN

MANUEL ESPINOZA

JEREMIAH ESTRADA

KOHL FRANKLIN

DJ HERZ

JOE NAHAS

EDUARNIEL NUNEZ

NICHOLAS PADILLA

DANIEL PALENCIA

BAILEY REID

DALTON STAMBAUGH

DIDIER VARGAS

JORDAN WICKS

CATCHERS

PABLO ALIENDO

CALEB KNIGHT

INFIELDERS

JAKE WASHER

ED HOWARD

FABIAN PERTUZ

SCOTT MCKEON

MATT MERVIS

LUIS VERDUGO

OUTFIELDERS

EDMOND AMERICAAN 17

BRADLEY BEESLEY

OWEN CAISSIE

ALEXANDER CANARIO

YOHENDRICK PINANGO

Roster updated as of April 6, 2022

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AROUND THE HORN CATCHING UP WITH FORMER SOUTH BEND CUBS

By Max Thoma

T

hroughout the last few months the South Bend Cubs broadcast crew of Brendan King and I have been interviewing players for a YouTube series we call Cubbie Corner. BK and I chat about timely promotions, events and what’s going on in baseball, or riff about something off topic.

Then we get to an interview we conducted with a former player.

It’s a time to catch up with guys who aren’t in the midst of a chaotic 132-game schedule and get them to talk about what they’ve been up to off the field in their free time and how they’re gearing up for the season in 2022.

Since late January we’ve posted eight episodes with a wide array of players, from first-rounders like Brendon Little and Jordan Wicks, to guys coming off unbelievable seasons like D.J. Herz and Scott Kobos, to fan favorites like Delvin Zinn, and more. You can catch up with the series by going to the South Bend Cubs YouTube page.

Until then here’s an update from some of the players we had the pleasure of talking

with this winter.

Max Bain

Bain is a Division II product out of Northwood University that shed over 50 pounds a couple of years ago, added 10 miles per hour to his fastball and was signed by the Cubs off a twitter bullpen session.

Last year he spent his entire rookie campaign with the South Bend Cubs and rode a roller coaster of a season that saw him at his best late in the year, taking home Chicago Cubs MiLB Pitcher of the Month honors in the final full month of the season in August.

For many reasons Bain is unique, but what he’s been up to this offseason is notable mostly for what he’s accomplished off the field and with a microphone.

The kid from Clarkston, Mich. is a content creator, an honest storyteller who’s frankly as happy to talk about his failures as he is his successes. This winter Bain created “The Bain Campaign” podcast with co-hosts Bryan Smith (writer for Bleacher Nation) and Chris MacLean (host of “Turn a Pair Baseball Podcast”) and got the show sponsored by

Max Bain pitching from the stretch against Quad Cities. (August 22, 2021). Credit: Casey McDonald.

LET US FUNDRAISE FOR YOUR SCHOOL, FESTIVAL, AND ATHLETIC EVENTS! p. 574.596.4569 e. konamichiana@gmail.com

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CUBS CONNECTION GAME PROGRAM

Obvious Shirts.

You’d be awfully hard pressed to find a more transparent character than Bain, who after the season ended posted a video of every home run hit off him in his first MiLB season. Then he brought two guys on his podcast who hit well off him in 2021, including Nick Loftin who took Bain deep as the second batter he ever faced in affiliated baseball.

Max Bain goes out to the mound vs Dayton. (May 19, 2021). Credit: Kyle Arnett.

The show was designed for Bain and company to showcase people who had a large impact on his first season and take listeners behind the scenes with an intimate look at the lives of minor leaguers.

But it developed into so much more than that.

It’s fun and insightful, yes. It’s thought provoking and humorous, yes. There are guests you have to hear like Dallas Braden, Jordan Wicks, and Brennen Davis, yes. But what really stands out is the open and honest dialogue about how athletes, and people for that matter, deal with failures and successes.

It’s the mental health side of things and the willingness of Bain, his co-hosts and their guests to open up that truly made the Bain Campaign a worthy follow this offseason.

Delvin Zinn No one lights up a room like DZ, who had maybe the most important swing of his life this winter when he hit a ball that exploded pink, revealing there’s a baby girl on the way for the soon to be father who has spent parts

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of three seasons in South Bend.

Zinn is a different breed, always smiling and full of energy, as affable a pro athlete as you’ll come across.

Now a veteran in the Cubs system he said the biggest change entering spring this year is his confidence and his body. The confidence stems from stealing 44 bases last year (42 in SB) and launching a career high in homers.

As he puts it his body is where it needs to be entering the 2022 season and one of the more drastic adjustments he’s made over the last year has been his diet.

“You know I come from the South where everything is fried twice, three times… but our nutrition team is the best around and now I’m watching what I eat and drink before the game and then after to recover. The style I play, running and diving, to play 140 games you got to watch your body.”

With his body in the best shape its been in for his career and with an adjustment that has shortened up his a swing a bit, Zinn is poised for a great 2022 campaign.

Delvin Zinn celebrating a base hit next to first base coach Pedro Gonzalez. Credit: Tim Reilly.

There’s a saying in baseball that “every game is someone's first game”, and what that means is to go out of your way to ensure fans have a pleasant experience and great potential first impression. Zinn is the rare player that takes that to heart himself and plays to make other people’s day better.

That’s why he became a fan favorite here and why he’ll be a fan favorite in Tennessee

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Seize the day, and victory will follow.

In baseball and in life, there’s only one day you’re in control of: today. We’re proud to support the South Bend Cubs as they work to make it one to remember.

Contact Mike Plenzler Relationship Manager 574-252-0035 michael.plenzler@pnc.com pnc.com

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this year.

DJ Herz After winning Cubs MiLB Pitcher of the Year last season, Herz continued his winning ways when he and three other pitchers entered a nine-hole night golf scramble and won, posting a three-under round. It seems whatever Herz does these days, he’s elite.

The craziest thing we learned about Herz this offseason was that he’s never been to an MLB game. In fact he said ideally he wants his first time in an MLB stadium to be when he is making his Cubs debut.

Oh what a storyline that’d be.

D.J. Herz making his South Bend Cubs debut on September 4, 2021 against the Lake County Captains. Credit: Casey McDonald.

Last season Herz posted some of the most ludicrous strikeout numbers ever seen at the A-level. The kid from Fayetteville, N.C. pitches with a swagger that’s hard to come by and now reps a custom glove that says “Ice up son” on one side and “HerzDay” on the other.

This offseason on top of hitting the links, Herz and the Cubs development staff have worked on increasing the spin rate and efficiency of his curveball. The unflappable lefty is working towards cleaning up his walk numbers and trying to become the first minor league pitcher in Cubs history to take the crown of Pitcher of the Year in back-to-back seasons.

Andy Weber The 24-year-old shortstop played 127 games with the Midwest League champs in South Bend in 2019. But the 2020 season was

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cancelled and Weber missed the majority of last season, ultimately playing in just 44 games (41 of which were in AA-Tennessee).

But Weber was invited to play with the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League, and as he put it, “play my first full month of baseball in two years.” He was able to play 22 games, registering a .387 OBP, showcasing some pop in his bat with a .466 slugging and tying for the league-lead in triples.

The video game enthusiast whose spent plenty of time this offseason playing MLB The Show and Apex Legends has also spent plenty of time between three spots on the infield.

Learning from the likes of Chicago Cubs Director of Baseball Development Jeremy Farrell (now with the Reds) and one of the smoothest infielders in the minors in Luis Vazquez, Weber’s transitioned into a versatile defender capable of making spectacular plays at third, short, or second.

The talent pool in the minors at the middle infield spots is deep and Weber echoes what he’s always said is his mentality, just worry about beating the team in the other dugout, that’s it.

“Do your thing, take care of what’s in front of you and let the chips fall where they may.”

Andy Weber making a great defensive play against Bowling Green (June 6, 2019).

To check out all the episodes of the Cubbie Corner go online to the South Bend Cubs YouTube page.

Facebook.com/SouthBendCubs

APRIL 2022

Twitter @SBCubs

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CUBS CONNECTION GAME PROGRAM

BACK TO THE GOOD TIMES

A RETURN TO NORMALCY FOR 2022

lockout, a whole bunch of distractions have been present for a while now.

The positive aspect that we all can say is persistence and determination now has us in a better spot. Sacrifices were made to keep everybody safe. Now, it’s time to come back.

By Brendan King

T

here's been a lot of talk in the last couple years of getting back to normal. That can mean a lot of things. For some, it’s frequent visits to close and beloved family members.

For others, normalcy is simply defined as being able to live their lives like they could before March of 2020. But for us, it’s enjoying, consuming, and soaking in every ounce of happiness that the game of baseball gives.

From COVID-19’s pause on Minor League Baseball at the start of the pandemic, to attendance restrictions carrying into part of 2021, then onto the Major League Baseball

Fans at the 2019 Midwest League All-Star Game, hosted by the South Bend Cubs. Credit: Tim Reilly.

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Fans enjoying an outdoor suite at Four Winds Field. Credit: Robert Franklin.

A return to a ballpark full of history and memories like Four Winds Field gives every fan that passes through the turnstiles something to look forward to. The on field product is set to feature some of the most talented bats and arms that the Chicago Cubs organization has to offer. The prospects involved in the trades of star players such as Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Yu Darvish are now older.

They’re ready to show off their talents in the 574.

Great baseball won’t be the only thing you see this summer. The ambiance that we know and love is here.

When you walk into the gates, you’ll hear the sounds and tunes over the loudspeaker.

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You’ll smell the scent of hot dogs and burgers on the grill and popcorn being freshly popped.

Then at The Sweet Spot Stand (my personal favorite), you can taste the best novelty ice cream while seeing all the smiling faces again on fans both young and old as they walk the concourse. Maybe if you get to the game early enough during batting practice, you can catch a home run ball as you take your seat.

on that jersey everyday. In return, they want to give back as much as possible. Thus, everything that you knew and loved about South Bend Cubs baseball is back.

Pre-game catch on the field, Sunday autographs, catching players heading out of the batting cages at the 1st Source Bank Performance Center before the game, kids in the first row getting high fives by the guys as they walk to the on-deck circle, and postgame interviews with Gatorade showers along the first base line. It’s all back.

As Andrew Berlin and the South Bend Cubs Front Office say all the time, what has happened with professional baseball in South Bend since 2011 is history making and legendary. But it would not have happened without you.

Ice cream helmet from The Sweet Spot at Four Winds Field. Credit: South Bend Cubs.

Not only is Four Winds Field special, but the guys on the field also know how important the fan base of the South Bend Cubs is. When talking with 2018 and 2019 South Bend Cub, Delvin Zinn, on an episode of the Cubbie Corner this off-season, he reminisced on the love he received during his time playing here. Zinn equated the admiration he received to Lance Stephenson with the Indiana Pacers. If you know, you know.

It’s not just Delvin, either, that has felt that same connection in South Bend. Every player that has the honor of donning the blue pinstripes knows that it’s a privilege to put

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Every Sunday home game fans get a chance to play catch on the field prior to the game.

Credit: Robert Franklin.

Part of normalcy circling back around is a familiar name is returning to the baseball that we know and love around Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The name is not a player, coach, broad-

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The Midwest League is back.

After the old-school names of the Minor League Baseball associations across the country such as the Midwest League, International League, California League, and others were changed to the likes of the High-A Central, Triple-A East, and High-A West, we’re now running it back with the classics again.

Part of the reasoning for the one year change was the old Minor League Baseball regime departing, and Major League Baseball stepping in charge. The MLB had to purchase and set up all the names, which of course took some time to transpire. Moral of the story: the South Bend Cubs will now have the chance to DEFEND their 2019 Midwest League Championship.

That’s right. No one, of course, won the Midwest League in 2020. And the Quad Cities

FIRST PITCH GAME PROGRAM River Bandits were the first and only champions ever of the High-A Central. That means the first series of the season against Quad Cities will be the reigning Midwest League Champs against the defending High-A Central victors. That’s some stuff straight out of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Inception’ right there.

Those warm summer nights with a beautiful sunset manifesting along the third base line that we have wished for, are back.

For us in the broadcast booth, we’re ready to describe every hit, pitch, catch, dash, and celebration. The best part of all the sold out crowds we see over the next five months is that every fan that is physically sitting in the ballpark on that given night knew exactly what they were missing during the pandemic.

It’s those smiles, laughs, hugs, sounds, sights, smells, and tastes.

So here we are and here we go again. A summer to remember awaits us in South Bend. Let’s have some fun!

The 2019 South Bend Cubs pose after winning the Midwest League Championship.

Credit: Paul Gierhart.

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www.SouthBendCubs.MiLBstore.com

CUBS CONNECTION GAME PROGRAM

PLAN YOUR 2022 GROUP OUTING

Are you looking for the perfect place to plan your next group outing? We have a variety of packages to suit your every need! Treat your group of 20 or more to a fun night of affordable entertainment! Four Winds Field is a great place to entertain employees, clients, team members, civic organizations, and even family reunions.

PICNIC AND GROUP AREAS

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Call (574) 235-9988 and ask for a group sales representative or email groups@southbendcubs.com to reserve your special day / night.

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