Notre Dame staff fill Four Winds Field for sold-out South Bend Cubs game

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Four Winds Field traded Cubbie blue for a sea of Irish green Thursday night as more than 10,000 fans packed the ballpark for the South Bend Cubs’ annual Notre Dame Staff Appreciation Night.

The sold-out crowd, made up largely of Notre Dame faculty, staff and their families, turned Game 3 of the Cubs’ six-game series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers into one of the team’s biggest crowds of the summer.

The Cubs embraced the Fighting Irish theme throughout the evening, wearing special Notre Dame-inspired jerseys while Notre Dame wide receiver Jaden Greathouse threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Players also took the field to Notre Dame’s iconic entrance music, adding to the game-day atmosphere.

A pregame prayer honored Notre Dame employees and their families, while fans dressed in Irish green filled the stands alongside traditional Cubs colors, highlighting the close connection between the university and the South Bend Cubs.

“There’s going to be over 7,000 faculty and staff members and their families celebrating here tonight,” said Michael Seamon, Notre Dame’s vice president of events and operations. “What a perfect summer night to be celebrating the South Bend Cubs and Notre Dame. And to all the family members here, thank you for sharing your mom, your dad, your brother, your sister with us on this journey. You are as much a part of the Notre Dame family as anyone.”

The series against Wisconsin continues this weekend, with first pitch scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Four Winds Field.