Baseball returns to Municipal Stadium
Also, Duke Energy Foundation awards workforce grants; Stellantis revives SRT performance division
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Baseball is back. The City of Kokomo officially selected Bullpen Ventures to lease and operate Kokomo Municipal Stadium, ushering in a new era for the award-winning venue.
The agreement was formalized by the city’s Board of Works and Public Safety at its July 2 meeting.
Starting in 2026, Bullpen will bring full-time collegiate summer wooden-bat baseball back to Kokomo, while transforming the stadium into a year-round hub of entertainment, community events, and family fun.
Bullpen, known for managing Grand Park in Westfield and Championship Park in Kokomo, will launch a brand-new team, bringing the crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, and the magic of summer nights under the lights back to downtown Kokomo.
This won’t be Bullpen’s first pitch in the collegiate summer space. They successfully operated an eight-team college summer league hosted at Grand Park and Championship Park, which produced more than 30 Major League Baseball draft picks, including 2020’s No. 1 overall selection Henry Davis -- now a standout for the Pittsburgh Pirates -- and Kokomo’s own Jack Perkins, who recently made his Major League debut with the Oakland Athletics.
“Baseball is woven into Kokomo’s identity,” said Mayor Tyler Moore. “Because Bullpen is partnering with Kokomo native and former Major League pitcher Joe Thatcher, we know this club will carry our city’s energy and values while giving young athletes a clear path to the pros. Joe’s involvement keeps the stadium’s heartbeat local and reminds fans that big-league dreams really can start right here.”
Thatcher added, “We at Bullpen Ventures couldn’t be more elated to partner with the City of Kokomo to help bring college summer baseball back to Kokomo. Collectively, we’re committed to building something meaningful; a team the city can rally behind and a ballpark that is a true community asset.”
Bullpen will work with Kokomo School Corp., youth leagues, and Indiana University Kokomo to create access and opportunity. Upgrades will allow for enhanced concessions, revamped merchandise, fresh in-game entertainment, and fan-first promotions, turning every visit into an experience.
The new team name, branding, schedule, and ticket packages will be revealed later this year. But mark your calendars: Opening Day is May 2026.
Duke Energy Foundation awards workforce grants
Duke Energy Foundation announced it is awarding grants to four organizations in central and north-central Indiana supporting workforce development efforts. The shareholder-funded grants aim to equip Hoosiers with in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials to meet the needs of the region’s employers.
“Local business leaders regularly tell us that a skilled workforce is key to the continued economic growth of the communities we serve,” said Stan Pinegar, president of Duke Energy Indiana. “These grants will help expand the state’s skilled talent pool, create opportunities for individuals facing barriers to employment, and strengthen Indiana’s competitiveness when attracting companies. They are smart investments in our customers and the places they live and work.”
The grants awarded will support innovative workforce training programs that prepare individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in the state’s fastest-growing industries, including the energy, construction and technology fields.
Grants were awarded to a pair of local organizations:
Indiana University Kokomo was awarded $15,000. It will use its grant for its “Fueling the Future” internship program, providing up to five paid internships for undergraduate students with regional clean energy employers. This initiative will offer hands-on experience in renewable energy, infrastructure development and energy storage, preparing students for in-demand careers.
Grant funding will support student stipends and program management, which will foster applied learning and strengthen the university’s commitment to sustainability education.
Western School Corporation received a $20,000 grant. Through the High School Pathways in Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Certificate program, the corporation is preparing students for careers in the rapidly growing field of electric and hybrid vehicle technology. With the support of this grant, students will continue to gain the specialized knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to earn an Automotive Service Excellence Light Duty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Specialist Certification, a highly valued credential in the automotive industry.
The curriculum focuses on critical components such as high-voltage systems, converters, power inverters, and safety and interlock circuits, ensuring students develop a deep understanding of these advanced vehicle technologies.
Stellantis revives SRT Performance Division
Stellantis announced Tim Kuniskis is appointed head of American brands and North America marketing and retail strategy, reporting to Antonio Filosa, Stellantis CEO and chief operating officer, North America & American Brands. In this newly created role, he will work across the brand portfolio to further build and enhance the connections customers have with the company’s products, marketing efforts and dealer network in the region.
Kuniskis retains his position as CEO of the Ram brand. Each of the current brand CEOs will continue driving their respective brands.
“Connecting with our customers, delivering the products and experiences they want, is critical to reaching our full potential,” said Filosa. “Tim has proven time and time again that he is masterful at building brands that reach the heart and soul of the customer. We will leverage his energy, his strategic mindset and his competitive spirit to supercharge all our brand activities.”
Stellantis also announced the return of its iconic performance division, Street and Racing Technology (SRT), under the leadership of Kuniskis. The move marks a bold step in unifying high-performance engineering across Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram under a single, dedicated identity.
Consolidating the best performance engineering talent from across the four American brands, the SRT division will deliver vehicles that push the boundaries of power, aerodynamics, handling, and technology - on both the street and the track - ensuring enthusiasts get the power, precision and passion they expect.
“We’re getting the band back together,” said Kuniskis. “SRT is another box we needed to check as we head into a product launch cadence enabling more performance than we’ve ever seen before. We’re working with our product development and technology organization to select the best engineers in powertrain and vehicle dynamics to build a team worthy of the SRT name.”
The newly reestablished SRT performance division will oversee Direct Connection and North American motorsports initiatives under Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, including participation in the NHRA and Ram’s recently announced plans to enter the NASCAR Truck Series in 2026.