The excitement at Four Winds Field, whether in the splash pad or on the diamond, were part of a season to remember for the South Bend Cubs in 2015. (Photos by Mike Deak)

SOUTH BEND – When most people think of South Bend, Notre Dame football and automobiles likely come to mind. When the city opened its minor league baseball franchise in 1988, there was a genuine buzz. That interest, revitalized by a merger with one of the most beloved brands in sports, saw the city welcome back an old love.

The South Bend Cubs welcomed 347,678 fans to Four Winds Field, a franchise record.

The announcement that the South Bend minor league baseball club would drop its affiliation with the Arizona Diamondbacks in lieu of a partnership with the Chicago Cubs sent ripples through the community. A franchise that was quickly becoming an afterthought now had life again. Helped by the success of the parent franchise and all of its ultra-talented rookies, the Cubs brand is red-hot again and the name change from the South Bend Silver Hawks to the South Bend Cubs made an immediate impact.

“There is an affinity in this town with the Cubs, and we knew that coming in,” said South Bend Cubs President Joe Hart. “This year far exceeded our expectations and, even internally, we couldn’t have expected a season like this.”

It wasn’t just a brand new toy that got put in the closet, either. South Bend averaged 5,039 fans for its 69 home dates and broke the 8,000-fan barrier on occasion, which had never been done before at Stanley Coveleski Stadium. The Cubs finished fifth among Midwest League franchises in total attendance, welcoming in 347,678 fans this season, blowing away its previous record by over 88,000 fans.

The South Bend Cubs have converted the old Orthodox church beyond left field into its team store, but left some of the old charm behind.

While the party atmosphere that surrounds the Chicago Cubs and its lore made its way to South Bend, the feel of Four Winds Field became unique in its own way. From the renovated team sales building in the old Orthodox church behind left field, to the giant inflatables for the kids, the splash pad beyond right field, the nuances were in order. But the park itself saw change. The field turf was returned back to natural grass, the concourse walkway connected left field to right field, and the South Bend Cubs Performance Center opened its doors to fans. Gamedays or otherwise, fans could work right alongside the pros.

“This is certainly a family-friendly place, and we have made it that way on purpose,” Hart said. “It’s hard to keep a kid in a seat for nine innings, let alone one or two. So we have a lot of things to do. But we also have the die-hards who are showing up more and more. We have a little something for everyone.”

South Bend, which was in the second-half playoff hunt into the final week of the season, still had a fine campaign. The team finished 65-72 overall, but had some legitimacy within its lineup.

Top prospect Gleybor Torres was named the Midwest League Prospect of the Year and ultimately was called up to High-A Myrtle Beach shortly before the end of the season. Torres hit .293 with 136 hits, 62 RBIs, 53 runs scored and 22 stolen bases in 119 games with South Bend.

Chicago’s 2015 No. 1 draft pick, Ian Happ, finished the year with South Bend and contributed right away, driving in 22 runs in 38 games.

South Bend had five All-Stars chosen from the club in Torres, pitchers James Farris and Jeremy Null, catcher Cael Brockmeyer and outfielder Charcer Burks. Only Burks was on the South Bend roster at the end of the season, the other four received call-ups.

The final game Sept. 7 was not the end of the year for Hart and his staff. Staying in the back of people’s minds as the weather changes is priority number one, with on-site appearances by Stu D. Baker – the team’s mascot – as well as available staff part of the plan. Working toward bettering the product for 2016 is also in the works.

“Our biggest thing is to try to stay relevant, because we all know football takes over and then it’s the dead of winter,” Hart said. “We’ll have appearances with our mascots at places. Our performance center is open year-round, which helps keep people at the stadium. And having the Cubs in a playoff run helps keep excitement here. We have a lot of ideas on the table to look at for next year, and should have some exciting things in store.”

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Former South Bend Cubs shortstop Gleybor Torres was named the 2015 Midwest League Prospect of the Year.