Baseball Is Back: Indiana's Flying Mummies & CreekChubs Bring Summer Ball Back

This summer marks the return of two new summer collegiate baseball teams to Indiana. The Richmond Flying Mummies (Northwoods League) and the Kokomo CreekChubs (Prospect League) are bringing the game back to communities that have been without baseball for the past few seasons.

The Flying Mummies played in front of a packed crowd at McBride Stadium. The home opener resulted in fans waiting in line 45-minutes before the game, and crowds large enough to make waiting for a hot dog or soda somewhat laborious. Still, many grabbed a seat along the fencing, underneath the wooded grandstand, or sprawled out on the giant grass hill down the left field line to view the game.

“I have never seen so many people at the stadium,” Zach Beeson said, who was there with his family.

That had not been the case a couple of years ago, when the Richmond Jazz were operating out of McBride Stadium. The Great Lakes Summer Collegiate club was in its 8th season, and games were sparsely attended. You could count the number of people on your fingers and toes at some games, and little promotion or entertainment was on display for those in the stadium. The Jazz quietly folded sometime after the 2023 season with little fanfare.

Wilbur greets fans entering McBride Stadium, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey.

The vibe was different for the Mummies, which included plenty of on-field promotions, a friendly new mascot named Wilbur, and a man who interacted with the crowd and balanced everything from a baseball to a prosthetic leg on his face. It was baseball entertainment done right.

The ownership group is led by Matt Bomberg and includes a star-studded lineup of actors, including Napoleon Dynamite stars Jon Heder and Efren Ramirez, as well as The White Lotus actor Jon Gries.  They have a range of promotional nights that include fireworks nights and a Sunday Bracket Buffet for $25.

A similar case could be made for the Kokomo CreekChubs, who brought back summer ball after only a summer hiatus. They replaced the Kokomo Jackrabbits, who played in the Northwoods League before they were booted from Kokomo Municipal Stadium after the 2024 season. The ball club's dismissal was met with shock, but that mood changed when the new team was announced.

The Chubs are owned by former Major League pitcher and Kokomo native Joe Thatcher, with Bullpen Tournaments and Prep Baseball serving as key partners in the organization. A group that is determined to make the city’s second go-around a well-run operation, according to Director of Community Relations, Jen Bingaman.

“The owners and leadership of this organization are well-versed in running great businesses and have incredible strategies in place to ensure we have great success.  We’re bringing a new level of baseball to our community, and they deserve it.

​The CreekChubs name ranks up there with the best of other baseball teams and is named after a freshwater minnow native to the area. The colors of blue and green are also eye-popping, along with its own mascot, Hooks, who makes his way through the crowd posing for pictures.

The stadium was power-washed, the concession menu revamped, the CreekChubs signage lit up outside the stadium, and local businesses set up tables with free giveaways and other promotions.

​Players line up for the National Anthem in Kokomo, Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey.

Opening night for the team drew a crowd of more than 1,500, with fans buying merchandise, grabbing a bite to eat, children frolicking in the play area, and friends and family mingling on the concourse. It was an atmosphere not always seen before and one that hopes to be a regular occurrence this summer in Kokomo.

However, this is not the same organization that used to play at the ballpark. It is a completely new organization, with new personnel and a new league. However, it will still take hard work and commitment to appeal to the hometown faithful, according to Bingaman.

“Most people, if not all, are very excited to have baseball back in our community and love the team's and ballpark's vibe and excitement.  Our loyal fans have shown up for these games and shown their excitement and commitment, too.”

It is not good for anyone when a baseball club ceases operations, and for two communities in Indiana, they are getting another chance at baseball. The Flying Mummies and CreekChubs have ownership and branding that should make them mainstays for years to come.

Fly Mummies Fly and Go Chubs Go!

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Follow all of Marc’s stadium journeys on Twitter @ballparkhunter and his YouTube channel. Email at Marc.Viquez@stadiumjourney.com