SJHS & South Bend Cubs make a triple play for seniors

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (March 28, 2018) - For the third consecutive year in a row, the South Bend Cubs and Saint Joseph Health System (SJHS) have joined forces by presenting the Silver Sluggers Program 2018, a triple play for seniors in our community. The program offers special ticket pricing and programming for participating seniors. SJHS St. Paul's is also taking special measures for its residents by inviting two South Bend Cubs players to live with at the Life Plan Community for the third season in a row.

"There is no deeper love for the game than in our senior community," said Joe Hart, president of the South Bend Cubs. "Giving them an opportunity to fuel their passion for America's favorite pastime is something we are excited to do again this year."
The Silver Sluggers program will offer a special ticket discount for any senior 55 years old or older. This discounted price will be $6 for a field box ticket - a 45-percent discount off the normal ticket price - at every Wednesday home game this season, beginning April 19.
But baseball isn't just fun and games for seniors. "Studies continue to show that social interaction and connections have health benefits," noted Shari Binkley, executive director, St. Paul's. "According to the National Institute on Aging, lack of social interaction is consistently associated with biomarkers of health, including risk factors for disease such as Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer."
Once a senior attends their first game, they will receive a Silver Sluggers card that will be punched each time they attend. After attending four Wednesday games, Silver Sluggers participants will receive a free South Bend Cubs Silver Sluggers hat. After attending seven Wednesday games or more, Silver Sluggers participants will be invited to a free ballpark picnic at the final Wednesday home game of the season, Aug. 29.
Seniors attending South Bend Cubs games as part of the Silver Sluggers program will be seated in a "Friendship Section," where they will have the opportunity to meet with old friends and make new ones. In addition, attending seniors and other fans can also participate in health screenings, free of charge, provided by SJHS. At each Wednesday home game, one Silver Sluggers participant will be selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
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 Wednesday, April 11. Members must visit the Four Winds Field Box Office to receive their discounted game ticket.
St. Paul's hosts two South Bend Cubs players for third season
The residents of St. Paul's have invited two South Bend Cubs players to be honorary residents for the third year in a row. The players will move into the community at the beginning of April. A welcoming brunch is being planned for their arrival.
"Without question this experience for both our residents and the players is unlike anything else," said Binkley. "Our residents get to know the players on a one-on-one basis, and the players get the benefit of coming 'home' every night to share their experiences."
"Being so far away from their families is tough," added Hart. "But the players really get an opportunity to become part of a supportive family while they are living their dream of playing professional baseball. It was an easy decision to help make this partnership happen again."
To welcome the South Bend Cubs baseball players to their new home, St. Paul's has scheduled a welcome brunch for Monday, April 23 at 10 am, where Hart and team mascot, Stu the Bear, will introduce two South Bend Cubs players to other residents within the Life Plan community. (Media are invited to the welcome brunch.)
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; the Senior Living Communities at St. Paul's, Holy Cross and Trinity Tower; and Saint Joseph PACE. SJHS serves more than 200,000 members of the Michiana community annually. SJHS is a Regional Health Ministry of Trinity Health in Livonia, Michigan.
About the South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 29 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 highest award in minor league baseball. The team is owned and operated by Swing-Batter-Swing, LLC whose sole shareholder is Andrew T. Berlin of Chicago, Ill.