Professional
baseball found a home in South Bend over 20 years ago. In
the early 1980s, the popularity of minor league baseball was
on the rise across the country and several local business,
community and civic leaders wanted to bring professional baseball
to South Bend. The group learned that the Midwest League was
looking to add two expansion teams. At the same time, Robert
and Debbie Staley, of Decatur, IL, had recently purchased
an expansion team and were looking for a place to call home.
South Bend was the perfect fit.
In
March 1985, Mayor Roger O. Parent announced that the city
would build a minor league baseball stadium in downtown South
Bend, located on the edge of the Studebaker Corridor, with
the intent to begin playing baseball in 1986. The stadium
would serve as a catalyst for economic redevelopment in the
area.
In
January 1986, it was announced that a 10-year player development
contract had been signed with the Chicago White Sox and the
Class A Affiliate would be known as the South Bend White Sox
to identify with the nearby Major League Affiliate.
The
stadium construction was completed in April 1987. The ballpark
was named Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium after the Hall
of Famer who settled in South Bend after his successful baseball
career came to an end in 1929. The stadium is now affectionately
known as "The Cove".
The
Cove was host to many amateur and local sporting events in
1987 and the South Bend White Sox began play in 1988.
In
the 1990s, minor baseball teams realized they could capitalize
on branding and merchandising by creating unique names as
opposed to carrying the same name as their Major League Affiliate.
In 1994, the South Bend White Sox became the South Bend Silver
Hawks as a tribute to the Studebaker Silver Hawk automobile
that was once manufactured across the street from the stadium.
A
couple of years later, the player development contract with
the Chicago White Sox expired as the Sox centralized their
minor league operations and the South Bend Silver Hawks announced
a new affiliation with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which continues
to this day.
In
2005, the City of South Bend was faced with the possibility
of losing the South Bend Silver Hawks amid rumors that team
would be purchased by another out of town owner and relocated
to Marion, IL. However, the intent of the Midwest League and
the City of South Bend was to keep baseball in South Bend
and the deal was declined. Shortly after, Joe Kernan, former
Mayor of South Bend, Lt. Governor and Governor of Indiana,
announced his intentions to form an investment group and purchase
the Silver Hawks. On September 16, 2006, Kernan announced
the sale was finalized; the Silver Hawks would remain in South
Bend and continue to be affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The
Silver Hawks celebrated the 20th Anniversary Season in 2007
and welcomed the 4 Millionth Fan to The Cove. The Silver Hawks
continue to bring Big League Fun to fans of all ages in a
clean, family-friendly environment. The 2008 season features
something for everyone with Dollar Mondays ($1 reserved seat
tickets, hot dogs and soft drinks); Twofer Tuesday with two
for the price of one reserved seats with online coupon; Wacky
Wednesdays, Thirsty Thursdays with $2 draft beers and soft
drinks; Friday Fireworks and Swoop's Sidekicks Sundays. Special
events, such as the 2008 Silver Hawks Baseball Academy and
Pops at the Cove with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, also
take place throughout the season.
Don't
miss the exciting action at the Cove with Silver Hawks Baseball
this season. Visit www.silverhawks.com or call 574-235-9988
for information. GO 'HAWKS!
