South Bend: Built By Baseball

Overview

Baseball laid the foundation for South Bend's growth. In the early 20th century, Black Studebaker employees formed the Foundry Giants, despite facing long shifts and segregation. The women of the South Bend Blue Sox broke barriers and inspired others to chase their dreams. Migrant farmworkers created a Mexican-American league that fostered decades of community connection and organizing. Today, investment in the South Bend Cubs fuels both the game and downtown's growth. Across generations, baseball has shaped the city - South Bend was, and is, "Built by Baseball."