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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Victory Field is being prepped for opening day on March 31.

When you come to an Indianapolis Indians game this year and sit down things will look a little different before first pitch because the team wants to pay homage to the land that Victory Field is built on.

Before the sounds of baseball fill the stadium, fans will hear a land acknowledgement statement, “As we prepare victory field for today’s game. The Indianapolis Indians wish to acknowledge the Miami, Potawatomi, Shawnee, Delaware, Peoria, and Kickapoo peoples. On whos ancestral homelands this field was built. We honor these grounds and all indigenous people who continue to reside in Indiana … and celebrate their resilience and strength’s,” read Chief Brian Buchanan of the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana.

When Buchanan read that statement over the loudspeaker before every single game, what went through his mind?

“It touches your heart. It really does. It almost brings a tear to your eyes that something that’s happened so long ago by our ancestors, and then some 100 years later they’re finally getting recognition of. It’s very admirable,” Buchanan said.

The Indianapolis Indians told I-Team 8 they plan on this being a long-term partnership that could include highlighting culture of the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana during games.

Bruce Schumacher, chairman and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Indians, said, “We’re very open-minded about it. Whatever tells their story the best way. They’re the best judge of that, we’re not. We have the ability to amplify it and give them a platform.”

Buchanan told I-Team 8 the Miami Nation had concerns that their endorsement of the team would not be well-received, but they chose to do so anyway because they view the team name as an honor.

“I hope many people don’t judge the Miami Indians of Indiana on our decision to do so,” Buchanan said.

The Indianapolis Indians will also be giving financial support to the Miami Nation for scholarships so their tribe members can pursue their educational goals.

The Indianpolis Indians play their final home games of the season against the St. Paul Saints this weekend, and that means there will be plenty of family fun just for you!

The two teams will play through Saturday, September with plenty of excitement happening for the fans along the way.

Cheyne Reiter, director of communications for the Indianapolis Indians, joined us Wednesday on “Life.Style.Live!” to share what you can expect at Victory Field this week and weekend.

Series promotions include a Circle City jersey auction (Sept. 22) and Fan Appreciation Weekend (Sept. 23-24).

When the first 2,000 fans through the gates receive scratch-offs to win prizes while the team’s game-worn Home White jerseys will be auctioned off to benefit Indianapolis Indians Charities.

The Indians’ “Nine Innings of Winning” promotion on Fan Appreciation Weekend features grand prizes like concert tickets to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, an Indianapolis Zoo package, JW Marriott one-night stay and $1,000. To be eligible to win, fans must have their ticket scanned into either game. 

Wednesday, Sept. 21 – Wednesday Day Game 

Take the afternoon off from work and enjoy a ballgame at Victory Field. Gates open at 12:30 p.m. ahead of first pitch at 1:35 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23 – Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Great Clips, Friday Fireworks, Indianapolis Indians Charities Mystery Sale 

The Indians are celebrating the best fans in baseball with Fan Appreciation Weekend. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a scratch-off to redeem prizes. Fans who have their ticket scanned will also be eligible to win grand prizes during “Nine Innings of Winning” including concert tickets to Gainbridge Fieldhouse, an Indianapolis Zoo package, JW Marriott one-night stay and a $1,000 cash prize, among others. 

Saturday, Sept. 24 – Fan Appreciation Weekend and Postgame Fireworks presented by Great Clips 

The Indians are celebrating the best fans in baseball during the 2022 home finale. 

For more information, click here.

The Indianapolis Indians continue their six-game series against the Louisville Bats, Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds at Victory Field this weekend with a variety of fun theme nights.

Cheyne Reiter, director of communications, and Rowdie, the Indianapolis Indian Mascot, joined us Friday on “Life.Style.Live!” to share what you can expect at the stadium this weekend.

Friday, May 6 is Indy 500 Night, Saturday, May 7 is Star Wars™ Night and Mother’s Day Catch on the Field rounds out Indy’s third homestand of the 2022 season on Sunday, May 8.

For more information visit, milb.com/indianapolis.

You can find more from all of today’s “Life.Style.Live!” guests at the links below:

Eggshell Bistro

eggshellbistro.com

Teachers’ Treasures – Teacher Appreciation

teacherstreasures.org

Indianapolis Indians

milb.com/indianapolis

Behind the Bricks  – Indianapolis Motor Speedway

wishtv.com/behindthebricks

indianapolismotorspeedway.com

wishtv.com/podcast-episode/welcome-to-behind-the-bricks

Small Business Week – Kaitlyn Wilkins

 Facebook.com/Metaforbusiness 

Cardinal Spirits – Bloomington

cardinalspirits.com

Nathan Lowe – The Indy Dog Whisperer

TheIndyDogWhisperer.com

facebook.com/theindydogwhisperer

LD Smith Plumbing

dsmithplumbing.com

Indianapolis Indians

milb.com/indianapolis

Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month

Parkinson.org

Sherri French – Easter Ideas

MomHint.com

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Indians have released their 2022 broadcast schedule on WISH-TV and MyINDY-TV 23.

Indians Broadcast Schedule on WISH-TV (11 games)
Sunday, April 10 vs. Omaha
Sunday, April 24 vs. Columbus
Sunday, May 8 vs. Louisville
Sunday, May 22 vs. Toledo
Sunday, June 12 vs. Columbus
Sunday, June 26 vs. Memphis
Sunday, July 10 vs. Iowa
Sunday, July 24 vs. St. Paul
Sunday, Aug. 7 vs. Louisville
Sunday, Aug. 21 vs. Iowa
Sunday, Aug. 28 vs. Rochester


Indians Broadcast Schedule on MyINDY-TV 23 (24 games)
Tuesday, April 5 vs. Omaha
Friday, April 8-Saturday, April 9 vs. Omaha
Wednesday, April 20 vs. Columbus
Friday, April 22-Saturday, April 23 vs. Columbus
Friday, May 6-Saturday, May 7 vs. Louisville
Friday, May 20 vs. Toledo
Friday, June 10 vs. Columbus
Thursday, June 23-Saturday, June 25 vs. Memphis
Thursday, July 7-Friday, July 8 vs. Iowa
Friday, July 22 vs. St. Paul
Thursday, Aug. 4-Friday, Aug. 5 vs. Louisville
Thursday, Aug. 18 vs. Iowa
Saturday, Aug. 20 vs. Iowa
Thursday, Aug. 25 vs. Rochester
Thursday, Sept. 15 vs. Toledo
Saturday, Sept. 17-Sunday, Sept. 18 vs. Toledo
Lawn ($12), Reserved ($15), Box ($18), Yuengling

As the Indianapolis community returns to healthy activities with their friends and families, Stryker is eager to educate the public about joint health and innovative medical technologies like Mako SmartRobotics™. Joining us today was Dr. David Graybill, orthopedic surgeon, of Central Indiana Orthopedics to tell us how this innovative technology works and how they’re teaming up with the Indianapolis Indians.

On Thursday, July 15 and Friday, July 16, Indianapolis Indians fans can step right up to the SmartRobotics™ Stadium booth at Victory Field to learn more about Stryker’s Mako SmartRobotics™ technology and participate in fun activities for the whole family.

At the games, fans will also have the opportunity to speak to an orthopedic surgeon and learn how Mako SmartRobotics™ can help get patients back in the game quicker.

The SmartRobotics™ Stadium will include fun, interactive activities for families – with the chance to win a prize! Stryker’s booth will feature important information about joint health and treatment options available.

Following the games, Stryker will be hosting a seminar at the stadium for individuals to learn more on Thursday, August 19th.

Additionally, for every walk issued to a batter during the regular season, Stryker will donate $1 to K9s For Warriors, the nation’s largest provider of service dogs to American veterans living with military-related trauma.

Stryker has been a committed partner of K9s For Warriors since 2015, having sponsored 31 service dogs to date — the largest number by any corporate partner.

Stryker is one of the world’s leading medical technology companies and, together with its customers, is driven to make healthcare better.

The company offers innovative products and services in Orthopaedics, Medical and Surgical, and Neurotechnology and Spine that help improve patient and hospital outcomes.

For more information visit, Makosmartrobotics.com and Facebook: @StrykerActive.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY STRYKER ORTHOPAEDIC.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The government of Indianapolis is offering a grant to businesses to help them get outdoor dining set up for the winter months.

The city is offering to reimburse businesses up to $2,500 for items including heaters, outdoor seating capacity, canopies, or personal protective equipment.

Restaurants operators in October usually begin to bring in their outdoor seating for the season. With coronavirus capacity restrictions still in place in Marion County, some restaurants are trying to figure out how they can make their outdoor seating areas bearable for winter.

“I mean if we could keep it, it would be great. You know if we could keep it through the winter and keep it heated, keep it warm, keep people out there, it would be awesome. I do not foresee that happening,” said Stefan Burrows, general manager of World of Beer bar and kitchen.

Burrows says he doesn’t think it would be worth it logistically for his business to invest in the outdoor seating for winter. “How many people are actually going to sit out there? Even if you do get it all set up, are people going to sit out there in the dead of winter? Probably not.”

Slapfish Restaurant owner Mark Weghorst already has a tent set up with a heater and he shares them with the business next door.

“I was thinking about this day in August when it was 100 degrees out and what are we going to do when it gets cold, trying to figure that out, and we are still trying to figure that out,” Weghorst said.

Businesses that have a winter setup are paying from $1,000-$1,700 a month to rent tents. “It is pretty hard to find a tent. It is even harder to find a heater,” Weghorst said.

Restaurant owners are having to ask themselves if it is worth it to invest in the setup without knowing if it can with stand the winter conditions for a dining experience.

“We know that January, February, where there could be 3 or 4 feet of snow or more, and we are just going to be stuck with no patio seating and less people going out in general,” Burrows said.

“If it (the temperature) gets down to 20s or 30s, I don’t think really anybody is going to be eating outside,” Weghorst said.

In its news release, the city said the reimbursable grant funds can be used for purchases or rentals from July 1 through Nov. 20. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

The application process for the reimbursement will be open from Friday-Nov. 20.

Coronavirus links

Indiana coronavirus timeline

With information from the Indiana Department of Health through March 4, 2021, this timeline reflects updated tallies of deaths and positive tests prior to that date.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Indians baseball team said Tuesday that after more than a century, a name change might be needed.

The announcement got support from Native Americans but a divided response from fans.

A committee to explore the idea will include the executive director of the American Indian Center of Indiana, Carolina Castoreno-Santana.

The Indians have been the mascot of the Indianapolis baseball team since 1902. While logos have evolved through the decades, those who are Native American, including Castoreno-Santana, say those changes aren’t enough.

“I’m really glad to hear they’re listening to what we’re saying,” she said.

She adds that the name isn’t the problem. It’s the imagery that goes with it that is offensive, with fans wearing war paint and headdresses, doing mocking cheers like the “tomahawk chop,” all of which reinforce harmful stereotypes.

“It’s the idea of taking a group of people and making them a mascot for entertainment,” Castoreno-Santana said.

Back in the 1980s, one of the team’s logos was an Indian caricature shown wearing Native American clothing and getting ready to throw a baseball. An earlier logo also merged baseball with Native American imagery.

Things changed in 1993 with new team colors and a new logo unveiled to go along with a new affiliation with the Cincinnati Reds.

But the name stayed.

While Castoreno-Santana credits the team’s incremental changes, “It’s 25 years later; maybe it’s time to take that next step.”

Some fans certainly agree.

“It’s really about time,” said Kevin Robertson, wearing a Cubs hat downtown Tuesday as he walked his dog. He’s been to a handful of games over the years. “Indians is just a ridiculous name anyways. They’re Native American, for one. They’re only Indians because Christopher Columbus thought he was in India.”

But other fans, like Steve Groce, who have grown up with the Indians, who has attended dozens of games over the years, aren’t so sure.

“I don’t see what the problem is, it’s just a name. No one is making fun of anyone,” Groce said. “They’ve been that way for so long, everybody will still call them the Indians anyway.”

Jaimie Maple estimates he’s attended close to 100 games.

“It’s good to have discussions about things, but at the same time, let’s not jump to conclusions,” Maple said.

But others like Robertson are ready to see immediate change.

“They are native to this land and if they feel it’s racist to them or rude to them, it’s definitely something we should look into,” he said. “It’s a long time coming and probably overdue.”

Castoreno-Santana said her mission on the committee will be one of educating the other members. But she will be disappointed if the name sticks.

“They are some native people who don’t find offense. They are definitely in the minority,” she said.

The team declined to be interviewed Tuesday but released a statement:

“Indianapolis Indians baseball dates back to 1902 and it’s been the organization’s goal to be low-cost family entertainment for all fans in an inclusive environment. We take this mission very seriously. We also feel strongly about the relationship we have with our fans, community and corporate partners. Knowing that the appropriateness of our team name is being questioned, we will be forming a committee to explore it while also gathering community input. As background, the name is derived from our state, Indiana, which means “Land of the Indians” and our city, Indianapolis, which means “City of Indians.”

“We are prepared to collaborate with our community and appropriate stakeholders. We understand that our team name has not been endorsed by some but trust they understand the historic and respectful context in which it has been used over the years. We are committed to engage, listen and exchange ideas.”

The team also said forming a committee is just the first step, and it’s too early to know who else will fill the committee and when they will begin to meet.

A team spokesman was not sure what prompted the logo change in 1993, if it was public pressure or simply conveniently timed as the team switched from the Expos to the Reds. He said he would be looking in the archives Wednesday and promised to have an update. When we hear back, we’ll update this story.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indianapolis Indians may soon have a different name.

The team announced on Tuesday that they are forming a committee to consider a possible name change.

The organization said that while forming the committee they will also gather input from the community on the situation.

The club released a statement that said in part:

We are prepared to collaborate with our community and appropriate stakeholders. We understand that our team name has not been endorsed by some but trust they understand the historic and respectful context in which it has been used over the years. We are committed to engage, listen and exchange ideas.

The Indianapolis Indians are the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.