South Bend Cubs Receive Invitation to Join New Minor League Baseball System
SOUTH BEND, IN – Earlier today, Major League Baseball sent out letters to 120 teams across North America, inviting them to be a part of the new Minor League Baseball system. The South Bend Cubs have received a letter to continue as a Chicago Cubs affiliate and member of the
SOUTH BEND, IN – Earlier today, Major League Baseball sent out letters to 120 teams across North America, inviting them to be a part of the new Minor League Baseball system. The South Bend Cubs have received a letter to continue as a Chicago Cubs affiliate and member of the Midwest League.
“We are gratified to have received Major League Baseball’s invitation to continue as a Minor League affiliate,” said South Bend Cubs Team President Joe Hart. “Our organization will review the full details of the agreement once we receive them and carefully evaluate the proposal to ensure it is mutually beneficial, not just for our team, but for our community and fans before we formally accept.”
“We are pleased to invite four of our long-time affiliates to continue working with us and help develop our players,” said Chicago Cubs Vice President of Player Development Matt Dorey. “These four teams have combined to work with the Cubs for 66 years, and that is only possible with strong ownership, hardworking front offices and welcoming communities at each level of our system.”
The franchise has been a part of the Midwest League since beginning minor league operations in 1988 and has had three professional affiliations (Chicago White Sox: 1988-1995, Arizona Diamondbacks 1996-2014, Chicago Cubs 2015-present). Previously aligned as a Class Low-A league, the Midwest League will transition to Class High-A. A schedule for the 2021 season will be announced once teams have officially accepted the restructured minor league system.
About the South Bend Cubs
The South Bend Cubs are the Class A minor league affiliate of the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs. Over the past 33 years, the team has won four Midwest League titles, most recently in 2019, and has captured eight division titles. In 2019, the South Bend Cubs hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game. 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, Ill.