Cubs Unveil New Silver Slugger Program for Seniors

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The South Bend Cubs and Saint Joseph Health System are proud to introduce the Silver Sluggers Program for seniors this 2016 season, in an effort to encourage more seniors to remain engaged with both activities and others in our community, by offering special incentives and programming for these individuals.

According to the National Institute on Aging, there is a strong correlation between social interaction and reducing adverse health effects of older adults, including potentially reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and some forms of cancer, as well as a reduced risk for mental health issues such as depression. With roughly 38,000 seniors over the age of 65 in St. Joseph County, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics from 2014, social interaction and engagement for the seniors in our community is critical.

"Studies suggest that seniors who remain active in social activities with others experience more positive outcomes with regard to health and well-being," said Shari Binkley, Executive Director at St. Paul's. "Seeing the South Bend Cubs and Saint Joseph Health System launch this Silver Sluggers program to provide opportunities to keep our seniors on the right path to better health and well-being…it says a lot."

Silver Slugger Program - the Community Embraces Seniors

The Silver Sluggers program will offer a special ticket discount for any senior who is 60-years-old or older. This discounted price for seniors will be $6 for a field box ticket - which is a 45% discount off the normal ticket price - offered to seniors 60+ years-old at every Wednesday home game this season, beginning April 13.

Once a senior attends their first game, they will receive a Silver Slugger's card that will be punched each time they attend, encouraging repeat attendance at games. After attending four Wednesday games, Silver Slugger participants will receive a free South Bend Cubs Silver Sluggers hat. After attending six Wednesday games or more, Silver Slugger participants will be invited to a free, all-you-can eat ballpark picnic at the final Wednesday home game of the season, August 24.

Seniors attending South Bend Cubs games as part of the Silver Slugger program will be seated in a "Friendship Section," where seniors will have the potential to meet and develop friendships with other seniors in attendance, expanding their social network. Repeat attendance on Silver Slugger Wednesdays will help seniors foster these friendships with those they continue to see week after week in the Friendship section.

As part of the Silver Sluggers program, attending seniors will also have health screenings available to them, free of charge, at every Wednesday home game - provided by Saint Joseph Health System. In addition, for each Wednesday game, one Silver Slugger player will be selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

"We are very excited to partner with Saint Joseph Health System on our new Silver Sluggers program, as we have a tremendous fan base that includes many that have been Cub fans for generations," said Team President Joe Hart. "This new program will give seniors the opportunity to come out and enjoy our games at a reduced price on all Wednesday home games, compliments of Saint Joseph Health System."

To receive a Silver Sluggers Membership Card, fans must visit the Four Winds Field Box Office and present a photo ID. Memberships will be available beginning on Wednesday, April 13. Members must visit the Four Winds Field Box Office to receive their discounted game ticket.

Local Senior Communities Embrace South Bend Cubs - Literally

In addition to encouraging seniors to remain active and socially engaged among their peers -involving seniors with those of younger generations also has benefit. In an unprecedented partnership, one of South Bend's retirement communities - St. Paul's - will offer free housing to two members of the South Bend Cubs baseball team.

In recent decades, American society has become very segregated by age - with children attending age-segregated schools, adults rarely spending time with youth in their work environment, and senior citizens often living alone or in housing with other older adults. Intergenerational programs are needed to try to break down many of the physical and social barriers between the generations, and provide activities for seniors and younger generations that offer opportunities for mutually beneficial learning.

Having these youthful South Bend Cubs baseball players living at this senior community will help to provide the seniors with new, positive relationships and interactions, a chance to transfer their knowledge, skills, and values to the next generation, and to continue being involved in the community. In return, the South Bend Cubs baseball players will enjoy the generosity of free housing, surrounded by a built-in "family" of senior residents who understand the importance of community support.

"The ties between the South Bend Cubs and the seniors in our community is extending beyond anything we have done in the past, allowing some of our players to live in South Bend's Senior Living community - St. Paul's - this summer," said Hart. "This will provide some great intergenerational opportunities for both the players and the residents, and we look forward to building this program and having it continue to grow each and every year."

To help welcome the South Bend Cubs baseball players to the retirement community at St. Paul's, a Welcome Brunch is scheduled for Tuesday, April 12 from 9:30 - 11 a.m., where Joe Hart, Team President of the South Bend Cubs, and team mascot, Stu the Bear, will introduce South Bend Cubs players Craig Brooks and Carson Sands to other residents within the retirement community. Media are invited to the Welcome Brunch.

For more information, please contact Joe Hart at 574-235-9988 x201 at South Bend Cubs or Kathy Mutka at (312) 218-5654 or [email protected].

  

About Saint Joseph Health System

Saint Joseph Health System (SJHS) is a not-for-profit healthcare system located in North Central Indiana that offers acute-based hospital care and post-acute services including: community wellness, physical rehabilitation, home care, physician clinics, outpatient services, independent and assisted senior living, memory care and affordable senior apartments. SJHS includes: Mishawaka Medical Center; Plymouth Medical Center; Rehabilitation Institute; Outpatient services of the Elm Road Medical Campus; Health Insurance Services; Saint Joseph Physician Network; VNA Home Care; and Senior Living Communities at St. Paul's, Holy Cross and Trinity Tower. SJHS serves more than 200,000 members of the Michiana community annually. SJHS is a Regional Health Ministry of Trinity Health in Livonia, Mich.

 

About the South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs are a Class A minor league team affiliated with the Chicago Cubs. Over the past 28 seasons, the team has won five Midwest League titles, most recently in 2005, and has captured 12 division titles. In 2015 the team was named Ballpark Digest's Team of the Year and received the John H. Johnson President's Award. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose sole shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill. More information is available at www.SouthBendCubs.com.