From left to right are Joe Hart – President of the South Bend Cubs, Andrew Berlin – Owner & Chairman of the South Bend Cubs, Theo Epstein – President of Baseball Operations for the Chicago Cubs and Jason McLeod – Senior Vice President of Scout and Player Development for the Chicago Cubs in this 2014 file photo introducing Chicago as the new affiliate for the South Bend franchise. The Chicago Cubs have renewed its affiliation with South Bend through 2022. (File photo provided by the South Bend Cubs)

SOUTH BEND – The South Bend Cubs and Chicago Cubs have extended their Player Development Contract for an additional two years, keeping the Class-A Cubs in South Bend through 2022. The original contract was a four-year deal, with an early two-year extension signed in 2016.

“It’s rare in today’s modern system to see an affiliate renew so early,” said Andrew T. Berlin, Owner & Chairman of the South Bend Cubs. “Our original contract began with the 2015 season and already have two extensions of that deal. Chicago recognizes our commitment to developing their players with our world-class facilities and the dedication our fans have for the Cubs players. As the Ivy at Berlin place nears completion, Four Winds Field will give the future Cubs a small taste of what the atmosphere will be like at Wrigley Field.

“We couldn’t be happier to extend our relationship with South Bend through at least 2022,” said Jason McLeod, Cubs Senior Vice President of Scouting and Player Development. “Andrew Berlin and Joe Hart, along with their talented front office group, have gone above and beyond to give our young players an environment in which they can mature both on and off the field.”

“The Cubs front office would not renew our Player Development Contract if they did not believe we were the best fit,” commented Joe Hart, President of the South Bend Cubs. “The developments in and around the stadium show not only are we committed to Chicago, but our commitment to providing the best experience for our fans. We could not be more pleased to continue our relationship with the Cubs.”

Since becoming a Chicago Cubs affiliate, over 1.3 million fans have come to Four Winds Field to watch the South Bend Cubs in action. In those four years, four Chicago Cubs players were sent to South Bend on a rehabilitation assignment: Dexter Fowler (2016), Jason Heyward (2017), Yu Darvish (2018), and Drew Smyly (2018) and five former South Bend Cubs reached the Major Leagues with Chicago: Ian Happ, David Bote, Dillon Maples, James Norwood, and Duane Underwood Jr.

In 2019, the South Bend Cubs will be the first Chicago Cubs affiliate to host an All-Star Game since the Tennessee Smokies hosted the Southern League All-Star Game in 2012.