INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Get out the fluorescent baseball gear and turn on the black lights.

Or, as a news release from downtown’s Victory Field says, “Indianapolis is ready to take a shot in the dark.”

The Cosmic Takeover Tour will bring the Tri-City Chili Peppers – a college summer baseball team based in Colonial Heights, Virginia – to Indianapolis and four other locations on dates to be announced later. The Coastal Plain League team’s cosmic games will feature glow-in-the-dark gear under special black lights made for stadiums, and selected music to add to the psychedelic experience.

So, why announce the show coming to town without the date?

Fans can now enter the ticket lottery and select “Indianapolis Indians” on the dropdown menu.

“Dates for the Cosmic Takeover Tour will be announced soon, and lottery selection dates will be declared after game dates are revealed,” the release issued Tuesday afternoon said.

At least, it’s assumed, it’ll be a night game.

The Chili Peppers have Coastal Plain League dates from May 23 through July 24 on their schedule.

The black-light games also will be played in the Triple-A stadiums of Durham, North Carolina; Lehigh Valley in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Nashville, Tennessee; and Sugar Land, Texas.

Statements

“We are thrilled to have Victory Field included as one of five hosts for the 2025 Cosmic Takeover Tour. Cosmic Baseball puts another unique spin on America’s pastime and will ultimately attract and create new baseball fans along the way.”

Randy Lewandowski, president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Indians baseball team

“We are excited to bring history to Indianapolis and provide a never-before-seen atmosphere where fans not only see the experience but are part of the experience,” said Chris Martin, owner of the Chili Peppers. 

Chris Martin, owner of the Tri-City Chili Peppers

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — At the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis regional headquarters, two Hoosiers on Tuesday left to make a long trip to North Carolina, where people are struggling after Hurricane Helene.

They’ll be driving an emergency response vehicle that will eventually be used to serve warm food.

Volunteer Cindy Kvale noted three large red containers inside the vehicle. “They have space for these large aluminum trays of food, and you can fit at least two in each of these. … We can put hundreds of meals in this vehicle at once and deliver it to a shelter or, if the need is different, we can put a few trays of food and drive to the communities and open it up on this side and serve plates of food to the local community.”

Tuesday wasn’t Kvale first deployment as a Red Cross volunteer. She’s done it multiple times. “It’s the desire to keep going because I can make a difference.”

She got emotional, but said she can’t explain why.

With videos of the disaster on TV, it’s no wonder Kvale is emotional. More than 152 people have died. Nearly half the deaths are in North Carolina due to flooding and landslides. Hundreds of people are missing.

For two weeks, she and fellow volunteer Dave Baker will help with relief efforts, specifically feeding people in North Carolina. They’ll first drive more than 550 miles to Greenville, South Carolina, and await their assignment of where in North Carolina they’ll be located.

Baker said, “In situations like this, we have people that have very significant needs. They’ve lost everything.”

Tuesday was the first time Baker has been deployed as a Red Cross volunteer. “Why would I not go? I’m retired. I have the time. … It’s a combination of being excited and anticipating what’s going to be like helping people. Boots on the ground, but, at the same time, being apprehensive and nervous because I don’t know what to expect.”

Baker, Kvale and 24 other Indiana volunteers will join more than 900 Red Cross disaster workers to help distribute meals, water and critical supplies.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts have lost another key member of the defensive line.

The team has placed starting defensive end Tyquan Lewis on the injured reserve list after injuring his elbow during Sunday’s 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Lewis has started every game for the Colts so far this season. In those four games, he’s recorded 1.5 sacks — the half coming against Steelers’ quarterback Justin Fields Sunday. His 17 total tackles is seventh best on the Colts defense.

Lewis will miss at least four games while designated on IR.

This is just the most recent injury for Lewis, who the Colts selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He missed half of the 2022 season after rupturing his left patella tendon against the Commanders in October that season. He suffered the same injury on his right leg the at the same point in the season the year prior against the Titans.

Lewis is now the fifth defensive player — third lineman — the Colts have placed on injured reserve this year. Two weeks ago, All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was sidelined after injuring his ankle against the Packers. Last year’s sack leader Samson Ebukam had his season end before it even started after he hurt his Achilles tendon during training camp. Cornerback JuJu Brents (knee) and linebacker Cameron McGrone (elbow) are the other two defensive players on the Colts IR.

In response to the recent string of injuries, the Colts elevated defensive tackle Adam Gotsis from the practice squad to the active roster Tuesday. The nine-year veteran made his Colts debut Sunday against the Steelers in a limited defensive and special teams role. Gotsis was on the field for 14 of the Colts’ 70 defensive plays, recording one tackle during that time. The former second round pick has played for the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars, appearing in two playoff games.

The Colts hit the road this week for their second away game of the season. Indianapolis heads to Jacksonville where they’ve lost nine straight road matches against the Jags dating back to 2015.