“Take me out to the ballgame….” There’s nothing like playing catch on a baseball field. Day 4 gave me the opportunity to play a game of catch on the field of the South Bend Cubs, the A-Affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, with game broadcaster Max Thoma.
We met Max before the Cubs game against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He ushered us down from the concourse level of the stadium onto the field, where we started to play catch with my family on the field next to me.
Max grew up north of Chicago as a Cleveland Indians fan. Kind of surprised I asked how a northsider could grow up a Cleveland fan. He shared that his mom grew up in Cleveland. I understand that connection. I grew up in northwest Indiana, and my dad grew up on the south side of Chicago, so it was easy to cheer for both the Cubs and Sox.
I had to ask Max if he had a favorite game he called. Last year the South Bend Cubs were playing for the championship, and Max had the chance to call the final out. He shared that he might have been more nervous than the pitcher on the mound. He also shared the time last season when Cubs player, Owen Caissie, hit a grand slam to win the ballgame just before midnight before his 20th birthday. This was Owen’s last swing as a teen, and it gave the Cubs an 8-6 victory that night!
No stranger to broadcasting, Max has called some other baseball games and sporting events. He shared about calling the Notre Dame vs. Northwestern game in Wrigley Field in May this year. The view must have been amazing as he said you could see all of the “Friendly Confines,” including Lake Michigan, from Pat Hughes’s box.
It was such a joy to play a game of catch on the field. Even though Max gets access to the players for interviews and even took batting practice on the field at the end of the championship season last year, this was his first game of catch on the field of Four Winds Field. Before we left, he gave us a chance to take in the field and stadium, which our whole family really enjoyed. The grounds crew was on the field getting it ready for play, and Max said, “There’s something beautiful to watch it all.” I couldn’t agree more.
Before we departed ways to let Max get to work, he gave us a quick tour of his broadcasting booth above Homeplate. We all really enjoyed seeing his “office.” We even got to see his grand Championship ring from last season. I really hope Max gets to make it to the big leagues someday, but until then, there’s lots of beauty and action to take in with the South Bend Cubs.
Special thanks to the South Bend Cubs’ amazing broadcaster Max Thoma, Chris Hagstrom-Jones, Assistant General Manager – Media & Marketing, and Joe Hart, President of the South Bend Cubs, for making this happen. The South Bend Cubs are an outstanding organization! They connect with the community in many ways, making professional baseball accessible and fun for the whole family!
“Go Cubs, Go….”
I’ll be sharing some stories on this blog throughout the month of August. If you feel moved to share a financial donation for my Gleaners fundraiser, use the link below.
https://give.gleaners.org/fundraiser/4739257
Get outside. Play catch. Find something that brings joy and a smile to your face.
Thank you for supporting Gleaners and following my 30 days of catch!