Matthys ballpark re-opens uniting the community after 15 years of it sitting empty  

SOUTH BEND, Ind—Matthys Ballpark, located on the west side of South Bend, has reopened to the public after being closed for around 15 years.  

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held where local community members and former ball players joined together at the field. This park was established in 1955, so many people who attended the ceremony today had many fond memories of this baseball field.  

Edward Rinker, who played ball in 1959, said he visited this field for a while, but as it got in worse condition, he said, “I saw this place was a disaster, so I quit coming by here.” 

But he now returns to see it open back up to the community, and with that come back many fond memories.  

Rinker says, “I rode my bike, live by Navarre school on Ford Street, and hop on the bike and put my mid-section over the handlebar and drive over here for the game. And then my mom and dad, grandma and grandpa, came down from Michigan, and they all came out here to watch it.” 

Daniel Bella, who played ball here in 1968, tells ABC 57’s Sidney Moore that it used to be “wall to wall, there were probably 15 to 20 teams here back then.”  

Portage Township Trustee, Jason Critchlow, says now on weekends, “over 1000 people are going to come and play ball here on these fields.” 

At the ribbon cutting, some softball teams got a chance to be the first ones to take to the field and fill up the dugout. The bleachers once again were filled with families supporting their kids play ball, which Edward Rinker says is a full-circle moment. He explains, "It's going to be used again somehow, someway, and I think this, along with the complex where they play softball, is a real gem for our city.” 

This grand opening reunited many people who shared fond memories of this place. While for many it was difficult seeing this ballpark sit abandoned for many years, they were thankful that they got to see it return to its glory days.