South Bend Cubs season opener

Baseball season is back in Michiana. The South Bend Cubs opening day kicks off on Saturday as they play the West Michigan Whitecaps at 7:05 p.m.

Gates for this game will open at 5. Ultrafab will have a pre-game concert and the National Anthem will be sung by Chicago Cubs artist John Vincent.

South Bend Mayor Roger Parent will be honored in this year’s 30th anniversary celebration. The first 2,500 fans will receive a South Bend Cubs rally towel and the first 2,000 fans will be receiving a South Bend Cubs 2017 magnet schedule.

Also, flat screen Saturday means at every inning one fan in attendance will win a 50-inch flat screen TV.

On the concourse expect to find balloon artists among other surprises. The first pitch for Saturday’s game will be by Crane Kennedy, president of business operations for the Chicago Cubs,

On Sunday the game will begin at 2:05 p.m. and gates will open at noon. During that game the first 2,000 fans will get, again, a magnet schedule, but the first 1,000 fans receive a South Bend Cubs fleece blanket.

Also on Sunday you can play catch on the field before the game and meet your favorite South Bend Cubs player during the post-game autograph session.

As a reminder gates open two hours prior to the first pitch. The South Bend Cubs Performing Center will be open during home games to all ticket holders.