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03/09/2006 6:30 PM ET
Former mayor's group set to buy Silver Hawks
Midwest League champions will remain in South Bend
By Benjamin Hill / MLB.com
Cesar Nicolas helped the South Bend Silver Hawks win the 2005 Midwest League Championship Series. (Emily Smith)

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The South Bend Silver Hawks, 2005 Midwest League champions, are under new ownership. And they won't be leaving town after all.

It was announced Thursday that the Silver Hawks have been purchased by the South Bend Professional Baseball Club, LLC (SBPBC), a limited liability company operated by former South Bend mayor and ex-Indiana Gov. Joe Kernan. The transaction is pending upon the approval of the Midwest League, Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball.

The Silver Hawks, a Class A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, previously had been owned by Palisades Baseball, Ltd. Throughout much of the 2005 season, rumors had circulated that the club would relocate to Marion, Ill. Those rumors have now be put to rest.

"The franchise will be in the hands of local ownership and will remain in South Bend," said Alan Levin, managing meneral partner of Palisades Baseball Ltd. "Joe Kernan has been a friend of mine during the past 18 years, and I can't think of a better successor to Palisades Baseball's ownership than Joe."

Kernan, who served as the mayor of South Bend from 1987-1996, echoed Levin's sentiments.

"This agreement will keep the Silver Hawks right where they belong, here in South Bend," he said. "It's good for the ballclub, good for the franchise, and, most importantly, good for the community."

Benjamin Hill is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.