“So this is the right time for this kind of project.”

No. Not us. South Bend.

Look at which MWL team they are using for an example. No. Not us.

More than two decades have passed since Coveleski Stadium opened in 1987. “I would encourage people to go over and look at what Fort Wayne did,” said Dick Nussbaum, Legal Counsel for the Midwest Baseball League. “Fort Wayne actually had a stadium that was built seven or eight years after ours (South Bend’s), they’ve completely abandoned that stadium and have built a brand new stadium downtown.”

According to Nussbaum, the attendance at Fort Wayne’s new stadium last season was three times higher than the attendance for Coveleski Stadium. “And it’s in conjunction with downtown development,” said Nussbaum. “There’s residential projects, there’s a new parking garage, I mean it’s part of a much bigger program, just as what the city here is trying to do.”

In the past year, the City of South Bend has acquired nearly 15 acres of property near the ballpark, including the former Gates car dealership, and Fred’ Transmission. It’s hoped that private developers will step forward to occupy some of that space.

And it is hoped that I hit the Powerball numbers tonight. Good luck with the presentation to the City Council on Monday.

Just like the moon, there are phases.

Phase 1 plans for the Cove include renovation to existing concourse suites, press box and clubhouses to start before the 2010 baseball season.

In Phase 2, the most extensive work will take place. A new main entrance would be built in centerfield, including a team store, concession stands and restrooms. Within the ballpark, regarded berms will enable new enhancements: a bar, a picnic terrace, a high-top group area.

Phase 3 would focus on right field and include the addition of new batting areas, a Kids Zone with kids’ concession areas and a display area for semi-trucks.

But, here is my favorite line of the entire article. I will highlight it so that you don't skim over it.

But if South Bend is interested in keeping up with other Midwest League cities, City Councilman Dr. David Varner has another suggestion. “They pay $1 million a year to lease the stadium in Kane County (Illinois) wherever that is, the western suburbs of Chicago. In South Bend the baseball team gets the entire use of that stadium for an entire year, for $75 thousand per year.”

I think that I might steal that every time I mention the Cougars...wherever they are.