Andrew Berlin’s promotional talents are rapidly becoming legendary in every regard, and he’s doing an amazing job of sharing those talents across a broad spectrum of fans beyond just those who love his South Bend Cubs.
Berlin, who owns the South Bend Cubs, and Joe Hart, who serves a President of the team, are gearing up for a huge weekend this week leading up to the first Midwest League All-Star Game being hosted in South Bend in 30 years.
Berlin and Hart have laid out a robust series of events for the three days of festivities surrounding the 2019 Midwest League All-Star Game. That All-Star Game is presented by Four Winds Casinos and features some of the most promising players in professional baseball today. Many of them will go on to find success in the Major Leagues.
All events are open to the public, and tickets are available for all of them and can be purchased through the Box Office by clicking the link below or by calling (574) 235-9988.
Here’s the link for tickets to all events: http://SouthBendCubs.com
Here’s what’s on the docket:
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
10 am – 3 pm — Stage Build
The biggest stage ever built at Four Winds Field (50’ x 100 ‘) will be installed in the outfield, in anticipation of Sunday’s concert featuring global superstar Pitbull.
SUNDAY, JUNE 16
Gates open at 6 pm, music begins at 7:30 for the Pitbull Concert
The kickoff to the Midwest League All-Star Festivities begins with a special performance by GRAMMY award winning artist Pitbull with special guests the Ying Yang Twins and Leah Jenea.
MONDAY, JUNE 17
10:30 am — Street Renaming
The City of South Bend will temporarily rename Michigan Street to All-Star Drive at the intersection of Michigan Street and Washington Street to celebrate the 2019 Midwest League All-Star Game & Festivities.
5:30 pm Gates Open for Fan Fest & Home Run Derby
Fan Fest at Four Winds Field will feature a Home Run Derby with the top hitters in the Midwest League, an autograph session with several former Chicago Cubs players along with the 2019 Midwest League All-Star players. In addition, other family friendly activities include the Splash Pad, Toyota Fun Zone, catch on the field and running of the bases. The Home Run Derby begins at 7:30 pm.
TUESDAY, JUNE 18
11:30 am — All-Star Luncheon
Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg will headline an All-Star Luncheon at the Century Center in downtown South Bend, with proceeds benefiting Beacon Children’s Hospital.
5:30 pm Gates Open; 7:35 pm — First Pitch, All-Star Game
The main event is the 55th annual Midwest League All-Star Game. The 2019 Midwest League All-Star Game presented by Four Winds Casinos will feature five players from the South Bend Cubs, including four pitchers. Shortstop Andy Weber will be a reserve off the bench for Manager Buddy Bailey. Pitchers Brailyn Marquez, Riley Thompson, Cam Sanders, and Jeff Passantino will all be available on the mound for the East.
The game will also feature two No. 1 overall prospects. 18-year-old shortstop Wander Franco is the top prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays and has taken baseball by storm since debuting as a 17-year-old. Franco is hitting over .320 with the Bowling Green Hot Rods this season and will start at shortstop for the East. Peoria’s Nolan Gorman will start at third base for the Western Division and is ranked as the top prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals system. This game is expected to sell out.
The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 31 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles.
In June 2017, Four Winds Field, home of the South Bend Cubs, was voted Best Class A ballpark in the country by Ballpark Digest. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest’s Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President’s Award, the highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose principal shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago.