South Bend: Built by Baseball cover art

South Bend: Built by Baseball

South Bend: Built by Baseball

By: PBS Michiana - WNIT
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From the greatest women's baseball pitcher to the high schooler who earned a major league contract, South Bend is home to some incredible baseball stories. This 6-episode series dives into the tales of the city's early baseball heroes (or villains). Hosted by producer Nathan Krebs, with writer and historian Aaron Helman as featured guest. The feature documentary "South Bend: Built by Baseball" is also available on YouTube.PBS Michiana - WNIT Baseball & Softball
Episodes
  • Charles "One-Arm" Schmalzried - A Tale of Perseverance
    May 20 2026

    His name speaks for itself - Charles "One-Arm" Schmalzried did indeed face an uphill battle in life. Yet Charles pushed forward, and later became South Bend's best industrial league pitcher with the Muessel Breweing Company.


    Nathan Krebs and Aaron Helman explore Charles' early life, the accident that took his arm, and how he became perhaps South Bend's first true baseball star.


    You can also find the feature documentary "South Bend: Built by Baseball" on PBS Michiana's YouTube page.

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    18 mins
  • Eddie Hanyzewski - Striking Out Big-Leaguers in High School
    May 13 2026

    It's rare to see a young ballplayer make the jump straight from the sandlot to the Show. But after striking out 14 Chicago Cubs in an exhibition game, Eddie Hanyzewski was on his way to the big leagues.


    Join Nathan Krebs and Aaron Helman as they talk about Eddie's dominant high school and industrial league career, as well as how this local kid became an instant South Bend legend.


    You can also find the feature documentary "South Bend: Built by Baseball" on PBS Michiana's YouTube page.

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    19 mins
  • The Unshakeable Demons of "Curve Ball" Ring
    May 6 2026

    Devastating curveball? Check. Long track record of arrests in two separate cities? Check.


    John "Curve Ball" Ringelski was a tremendous pitcher in South Bend's industrial league, but he could never shake his inner demons. Nathan Krebs and Aaron Helman explore the wild life of "Curve Ball" Ring up to his last punchout - literally.


    You can also find the feature documentary "South Bend: Built by Baseball" on PBS Michiana's YouTube page.

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    18 mins
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