Four Winds Field: Blending Tradition with Innovation Through Thin Brick

Since opening its gates in 1987, Four Winds Field — home to the South Bend Cubs — has been more than just a baseball stadium. It’s been a gathering place, a local landmark, and a piece of the community’s identity. Over the years, it has evolved through multiple renovations, yet one thing has remained constant: brick.

Brick has always been the backbone of Four Winds Field’s character, symbolizing permanence, tradition, and the kind of urban charm that only masonry can bring. Now, with a major expansion underway, that legacy is being honored in a fresh way — by pairing traditional full-size brick with innovative thin brick solutions.

Why Thin Brick?

The latest expansion adds a new upper level with luxury suites and a two-story left-field building housing offices, a kitchen, and technical spaces. Here, thin brick plays a starring role. Its lighter weight and adaptability make it ideal for use with modern steel framing and prefabricated wall systems — without losing the authentic masonry look fans expect.

On vertical surfaces like the press box and seating structures, thin brick delivers the same rich texture and timeless appearance as full-size units, but with benefits that include easier installation, reduced structural loads, and greater design flexibility.

Blending Old and New

To maintain architectural consistency, full-size brick is still used in high-traffic areas and at the base of structures where durability matters most. Thanks to products from Hebron Brick, both full-size and thin brick were perfectly matched in color and texture, creating a seamless visual connection across the stadium.

The TABS Wall System Advantage

A key part of the stadium’s masonry success has been the TABS Wall System — a U.S.-made, mechanically supported, and polymer-bonded cladding system designed specifically for thin brick. This system addresses common challenges like facade weight, height limitations, and long-term performance. It’s already proven itself in previous renovations at Four Winds Field, and now it’s helping bring this latest expansion to life.

The installation process is simple yet effective: a moisture barrier, perforated structural panels, fasteners, adhesive, polymer-modified mortar, and flexible joint sealant. The system accommodates any thin brick style and makes customization around windows and transitions straightforward.