(South Bend) — You may not recognize a lot of the names on the South Bend Cubs roster in 2026.  That’s common in minor league baseball.

You may not recognize the ballpark either.

Adding a second deck to 39-year-old Coveleski Stadium, the franchise is ready to show off its newly-refurbished digs Friday night when South Bend opens the season against Quad Cities.

“It clears every field by a mile. It’s elite,” says South Bend pitcher Kenten Egbert, who saw all the fields of the Midwest League during a pitching stint with the team last season. “The facilities that we have, the performance center in right, the clubhouse, the playing surface itself, the stadium, the fans…it all goes into it. It’s all miles ahead of everywhere else.”

Outfielder Kade Snell joined the team last August after being drafted in the fifth round. He knew changes were coming, but beamed as he looked around the ballpark.

It was beautiful when I got here last year, and it’s just even prettier now,” says the Dothan, Alabama native. “Adding on to the stuff…I’m actually staying over there at The Ivy, so I get a good view all the time. This is probably one of the coolest stadiums I’ve been at, and for me to be able to call this place home means the world to me.”

The ballpark isn’t the only thing with a different look. The ballclub will have many changes as well, starting with manager Daniel Wasinger, who was South Bend’s bench coach last season.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity, just so happy to be back,” says Wasinger, in his 8th year of professional baseball and third with the Cubs organization. “I was really excited when I got that phone call saying they wanted me to manage. When they told me it was South Bend, I was really ecstatic to come out here. I feel I’m prepared and ready for it.”

Wasinger already has the respect of his players.

“He’s my guy,” beams Snell, who remembers Wasinger as the first base coach last season. “I wouldn’t want to play for anybody else. I think he’s gonna handle it just fine.”

“It’s fantastic,” smiles Egbert, noting Wasinger was a catcher as a player. “THe guy gets it. He’s gonna do great for sure.”

Friday’s first pitch is set for 7:05, with Saturday’s game at 4:05 and Sunday at 2:05.