Stadium naming rights are both confusing and experience altering at the minor league level. Some fans and player only know the names of ballparks and stadiums by their contemporary corporate names. Since the Cubs have played in South Bend (2015), the ballpark has been known as Four Winds Field (a casino), but in small print, at Coveleski Stadium. The Cubs won MWL titles in 2019 and 2022 since they’ve been in South Bend.

From 1988-1997, the White Sox grudgingly called Coveleski Stadium, The Cove, home. Initially, they were known as the South Bend White Sox, but changed to the region-friendly Silver Hawks in 1994 in honor of the Studebaker Silver Hawk. The Sox last year in the MWL was 2000 when they played in Burlington, Iowa as the Bees. The White Sox won MWL titles in 1989 and ’93.

During their run (98-2014) in South Bend, the Arizona affiliate was known as the Silver Hawks, and they won the team its third MWL championship (2005).

Coveleski Stadium was named for HOF pitcher Stan Coveleski who retired to South Bend after his playing career ended. Since the Cubs moved to South Bend in 2015, I haven’t heard anyone refer to the park as the Cove as it’s become a Cub centric experience and is owned by Cub fan, and former investor in the White Sox, Andrew Berlin.

This statue of Coveleski greets fans in the centerfield concourse.

While he hasn’t been able to recreate the Wrigley or Wrigleyville ambiance, he has built some apartment buildings (The Ivy at Berlin Place) overlooking the ballpark a la Wrigleyville and has greatly enhanced the in-game experience with facilities that generate revenue when the Cubs aren’t playing. The rest of the neighborhood, couldn’t be more different from Wrigleyville as there no sign of a bar, restaurant or yuppie. Rather, there are a couple churches, vacant lots and a Union Station and confectioner (Claey’s Candy which is relocating and expanding).

I enjoyed my lone visit to the Cove in 2010 but have really enjoyed my experiences at the rejuvenated Four Winds Field. With ample street parking and affordable tickets, the 109-mile trip is worth the traffic. When you enter the ballpark through the courtyard connecting the Ivy to the centerfield concourse, one is reminded that South Bend is on the path to Clark & Addison as there are several photos of Cubs greats, various Cub logos, and a replica of the Wrigley marquee.

The Cubs have done a much better job of partnering with South Bend than the White Sox ever did. They never took advantage of the proximity to Comiskey Park and the alleged southside fan base.

The Cubs have two mascots, Swoop, a giant Hawk and Stu D Baker, a giant Cub. Over the years, they distorted things as the Hawk had ties to Studebaker and not a cuddly bear. Incidentally, 2024 will be Swoop’s last year cajoling fans.

Down the right field line.