"I'm excited to come back to Four Winds Field and see the amazing fans in South Bend," said Happ, a former South Bend Cub. “We're lucky to have amazing affiliates in the Cubs organization and I loved every second of being a South Bend Cub!"

Happ will be able to slip away from his Chicago club on an off day to make the trip to South Bend before traveling on to Philadelphia with the rest of the team for a game against the Phillies on July 2.

“We are incredibly honored that Ian Happ would take the time out of his busy schedule to come back to Four Winds Field where his professional baseball career started,” said South Bend Cubs Team President Joe Hart. “It speaks to the character of Ian that in the middle of the MLB season, he would come back to South Bend for a special appearance for charity. I encourage the fans to pack Four Winds Field and give him a warm welcome back.”

Gates open at 6 p.m. on July 1 and first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

In addition to a VIP Meet and Greet, Happ will throw out the first pitch before the game and sign autographs on the concourse for one hour.

The South Bend Cubs say the VIP Meet and Greet is limited to 100 tickets and includes a two hour all-you-can-eat Classic Ballpark Buffet (grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, mac and cheese, cookies, lemonade, water and soda).

Those tickets are $125 per person with proceeds going to Ian Happ’s charity of choice: First Tee of Greater Chicago.

VIP tickets go on sale March 13 at SouthBendCubs.com or by phone at (574) 235-9988. Field box and dugout box tickets will be available when all individual game tickets go on sale March 6.

The holiday weekend series will see the South Bend Cubs welcome the Peoria Chiefs to Four Winds Field July 1 -3.

Both July 2-3 will have a special firework display and July 3 will also feature a special post-game concert.

Details on the concert will be available in the coming weeks.

Happ’s appearance is subject to change due to the Chicago Cubs baseball schedule.

From the South Bend Cubs:

Originally selected with the ninth-overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft out of the University of Cincinnati, Ian Happ's path to the Chicago Cubs almost immediately began in South Bend. Following a quick stint in short-season Eugene, Happ was assigned to South Bend to conclude the summer of 2015.

While playing as a member of South Bend's inaugural Cubs season, Happ crushed five home runs and drove in 22. He quickly elevated up the farm system, making his Major League debut on May 13, 2017, and mashing 24 home runs his rookie season. In seven seasons with Chicago, Happ has hammered 125 round trippers, to go along with 392 RBI.

The 29-year-old also started his 2018 season with a bang, when he took the first pitch thrown in the MLB that year out of the yard in Miami for a lead-off home run. He was voted a National League All-Star in 2022 and has won back-to-back Rawlings NL Gold Glove Awards in 2022 and 2023.'

Off the field, Happ is known for his generous contributions to the Chicago community and beyond. In 2018-19, Happ began the "Through My Eyes" project, where he commissioned art prints of Wrigley Field from his view along with artist Patrick Vale. The proceeds from the project went to Happ's charity.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Happ released his own coffee brand, 'Quarantine Coffee', which had a portion of sales go directly towards COVID-19 relief charities. Since then, he has also teamed up with Connect Roasters and Morale Supply Company to sell 'Morale Blend' coffee.

In 2015, the same year he was drafted, Happ's father, Keith, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Later, the Happ family debuted the 'Happ Family Charitable Fund' to support mental health awareness and wellness through organizations like Bring Change to Mind and First Tee Greater Chicago. Happ continuously works with a number of Chicago based charities to raise money for those in need.