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OPENING DAY: Iowa Cubs kick off 2025 season Friday at Principal Park

OPENING DAY: Iowa Cubs kick off 2025 season Friday at Principal Park
FIRST PITCH IS AT 315. AND THE IOWA CUBS, HERE IN DES MOINES BEGIN THEIR SEASON TOMORROW WHEN THEY HOST THE OMAHA STORM CHASERS. FIRST PITCH IS SET FOR 708 TOMORROW NIGHT. YOU CAN PURCHASE YOU
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OPENING DAY: Iowa Cubs kick off 2025 season Friday at Principal Park
Opening Day for the Iowa Cubs is Friday — and it's going to be a warm one. If the forecast holds, we'll see a high of 80 degrees in Des Moines and it'll be about 75 degrees for the first pitch at 7:08 p.m. at Principal Park. That'd make it the second-warmest Opening Day for the Iowa Cubs in the last 20 years.Here's what you need to know about the Iowa Cubs this year.Opening Day weatherTemperatures this time of year can vary wildly with average highs sitting in the mid-50s. This year the forecast for the opener is a warm and very windy day with highs likely pushing near 80°. The record high temperature for March 28th is 82° set in 1910. Over the past 20 years the average temperature for an Iowa Cubs home opener has been 62° with the warmest home opener 82° back on April 12th, 2022 and the coldest 41° on April 12th, 2013. It'll be a warm one this year so if you're headed out to the game make sure to dress for sunshine and warm temperatures!Here's a look at the top 5 warmest Iowa Cubs home openers of the past 20 years:April 12, 2022: 82 degreesApril 17, 2015: 80 degreesMarch 31, 2023: 78 degreesApril 17, 2009: 73 degreesApril 6, 2006: 72 degreesIowa Cubs scheduleThe Cubs open the season with a three-game home series against the Omaha Storm Chasers — the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals — with games at 7:08 p.m. Friday, 3:08 p.m. Saturday and 1:08 p.m. Sunday. They're on the road for their next two series, with six games April 1-6 in Indianapolis and six more April 8-13 in Toledo. The Cubs return home for a six-game series April 22-27 against Louisville.See Iowa's full schedule here.Three new teams will be on the schedule for the I-Cubs in 2025. They'll host the Worcester WooSox (Aug. 12-17) and Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Aug. 19-24) and travel to the Las Vegas Aviators (Aug. 26-31).Tickets for games at Principal ParkThe Iowa Cubs have several ticket options, from single-game general admission to picnic packages, skybox suites and season tickets. Visit milb.com/iowa/tickets for more information.Iowa Cubs roster includes several of Chicago's top prospectsAs of Thursday, Iowa's roster includes eight of Chicago's top 30 prospects, according to milb.com's latest rankings.The Cubs' top-ranked prospect, third baseman Matt Shaw, made the big league roster. But the next five prospects on milb.com's rankings all start in Iowa. That includes pitcher Cade Horton, outfielder Owen Caissie, catcher Moises Ballesteros, second baseman James Triantos and outfielder Kevin Alcantara. Iowa Cubs coaching staffManager Marty Pevey, the longest-tenured manager in Iowa history and the franchise's all-time wins leader (748), returns for his 13th consecutive season. Pevey’s career total of 1,392 victories is sixth-most among active minor league managers.Pevey’s staff will include pitching coach Tony Cougoule, assistant pitching coach Andrew Betcher, hitting coaches Rick Strickland and Rachel Folden, bench coach Kyle Moore, athletic trainers Ed Halbur and Logan Severson and strength and conditioning coach Connor Rooney.New voice of the Iowa CubsThe Iowa Cubs in February announced that Jason Kempf had been hired as the team's play-by-play voice and director of broadcasting. He follows Alex Cohen, who had been with Iowa since 2018 and is now with Marquee Sports Network.Kempf is a Wisconsin native who has minor league broadcast experience with several teams, including St. Paul, Wichita, Dayton, Quad Cities and Charleston, where he spent the last four seasons with the RiverDogs."The I-Cubs have had a tremendous run of excellence in the broadcast booth over several decades and I am honored to take on the challenge of continuing that standard,” Kempf said at the time of his hiring. “It is exciting to be back in the Midwest and I look forward to sharing the story of the Iowa Cubs season with the passionate fans in Des Moines and Chicago." All 150 Iowa Cubs games are broadcast on Hope 940 AM. Iowa Cubs bobbleheads and other special promotionsAccording to the Iowa Cubs, the following regular promotions will be back for 2025 home games:Tuesday: “Twos-days” ticket offer, in which you get two reserved tickets, two pizza slices and two beers or soft drinks for $40.Wednesday: “Windy City Bundle” ticket offer that includes a reserved grandstand ticket, a Chicago Dog and an Over the Ivy beer or soda for $24.Thursday: Mug ClubFriday: Friday night fireworks shows are planned after each Friday night home game, as well as July 3.Saturday: Play catch on the field before every Saturday home game.Sunday: Kids run the bases after every Sunday home game. Bobbleheads: There will be two bobblehead giveaways this season featuring Owen Caissie on May 31 and Moises Ballesteros on July 19. Bobbleheads are given to the first 1,000 fans through the door each game.Dog Days: Dog owners can take their furry friends to Principal Park for Dog Days on May 13, June 10 and July 29.Dollar dogs: Fans can save a few bucks at the concession stand on dollar dog nights on May 13, June 10, July 1, July 29 and Aug. 19.Demonios de Des Moines: In conjunction with Minor League Baseball's "Copa de la Diversión" or "Fun Cup" initiative, which celebrates local Hispanic and Latino culture and heritage, the I-Cubs will wear their Demonios uniforms on May 4, June 29 and Sept. 20.Specialty jerseys: The I-Cubs will have four specialty jerseys this season that will be worn and auctioned off. Margaritaville Night on June 14, Star Wars Night on July 18, Peanuts Day on Aug. 24 and Harry Potter Day on Sept. 7. Other specialty jerseys you will see the I-Cubs don this year will be Jackie Robinson jerseys on April 15 and retro Iowa Oaks jerseys on May 1, June 12, July 31, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18.Other promotions: Mental Health Awareness Night on May 3 (Clive Behavioral Health and Des Moines University Behavioral Health); STEM Day on May 4; Outdoors Day on May 30; ASL Night on June 26 (Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf); Pickle Night on June 28; Sensory Friendly Day on June 29 (ChildServe and Autism Society of Iowa); and Hockey Night on Sept. 5.Citizenship Ceremony: The I-Cubs will host their 17th Citizenship Ceremony on July 3.Two-day concert series at Principal ParkPrincipal Park will host a two-day concert series Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24. The Pork Tornadoes will headline Friday night, with special guests Damon Dotson and Punching Pandas. Country singer Craig Campbell will headline Saturday, with special guests Jordan Beem and Brad Morgan.Gates open at 5 p.m. both nights and music begins at 6. The stage will be located immediately adjacent to the third base dugout. A two-day general admission ticket is $25 and one-day GA tickets are $15.Archive video from 1992: Final preparations at new Sec Taylor Stadium ahead of opening day

Opening Day for the Iowa Cubs is Friday — and it's going to be a warm one.

If the forecast holds, we'll see a high of 80 degrees in Des Moines and it'll be about 75 degrees for the first pitch at 7:08 p.m. at Principal Park. That'd make it the second-warmest Opening Day for the Iowa Cubs in the last 20 years.

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Here's what you need to know about the Iowa Cubs this year.

Opening Day weather

Temperatures this time of year can vary wildly with average highs sitting in the mid-50s. This year the forecast for the opener is a warm and very windy day with highs likely pushing near 80°. The record high temperature for March 28th is 82° set in 1910. Over the past 20 years the average temperature for an Iowa Cubs home opener has been 62° with the warmest home opener 82° back on April 12th, 2022 and the coldest 41° on April 12th, 2013. It'll be a warm one this year so if you're headed out to the game make sure to dress for sunshine and warm temperatures!

Here's a look at the top 5 warmest Iowa Cubs home openers of the past 20 years:

  • April 12, 2022: 82 degrees
  • April 17, 2015: 80 degrees
  • March 31, 2023: 78 degrees
  • April 17, 2009: 73 degrees
  • April 6, 2006: 72 degrees

Iowa Cubs schedule

The Cubs open the season with a three-game home series against the Omaha Storm Chasers — the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals — with games at 7:08 p.m. Friday, 3:08 p.m. Saturday and 1:08 p.m. Sunday.

They're on the road for their next two series, with six games April 1-6 in Indianapolis and six more April 8-13 in Toledo.

The Cubs return home for a six-game series April 22-27 against Louisville.

.

Three new teams will be on the schedule for the I-Cubs in 2025. They'll host the Worcester WooSox (Aug. 12-17) and Sugar Land Space Cowboys (Aug. 19-24) and travel to the Las Vegas Aviators (Aug. 26-31).

Tickets for games at Principal Park

The Iowa Cubs have several ticket options, from single-game general admission to picnic packages, skybox suites and season tickets. Visit for more information.

Iowa Cubs roster includes several of Chicago's top prospects

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Owen Caissie of the Chicago Cubs high fives teammates after a win at Scottsdale Stadium on February 24, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)
Matt Dirksen
Owen Caissie of the Chicago Cubs high fives teammates after a win at Scottsdale Stadium on February 24, 2024 in Scottsdale, Arizona. 

As of Thursday, , according to .

The Cubs' top-ranked prospect, third baseman Matt Shaw, made the big league roster. But the next five prospects on milb.com's rankings all start in Iowa. That includes pitcher Cade Horton, outfielder Owen Caissie, catcher Moises Ballesteros, second baseman James Triantos and outfielder Kevin Alcantara.

Iowa Cubs coaching staff

Manager Marty Pevey, the longest-tenured manager in Iowa history and the franchise's all-time wins leader (748), returns for his 13th consecutive season. Pevey’s career total of 1,392 victories is sixth-most among active minor league managers.

will include pitching coach Tony Cougoule, assistant pitching coach Andrew Betcher, hitting coaches Rick Strickland and Rachel Folden, bench coach Kyle Moore, athletic trainers Ed Halbur and Logan Severson and strength and conditioning coach Connor Rooney.

New voice of the Iowa Cubs

Jason Kempf is the new play-by-play voice and director of broadcasting for the Iowa Cubs.
Iowa Cubs
Jason Kempf is the new play-by-play voice and director of broadcasting for the Iowa Cubs.

The Iowa Cubs in February announced that Jason Kempf had been hired as the team's play-by-play voice and director of broadcasting. He follows Alex Cohen, who had been with Iowa since 2018 and is now with Marquee Sports Network.

Kempf is a Wisconsin native who has minor league broadcast experience with several teams, including St. Paul, Wichita, Dayton, Quad Cities and Charleston, where he spent the last four seasons with the RiverDogs.

"The I-Cubs have had a tremendous run of excellence in the broadcast booth over several decades and I am honored to take on the challenge of continuing that standard,” Kempf said at the time of his hiring. “It is exciting to be back in the Midwest and I look forward to sharing the story of the Iowa Cubs season with the passionate fans in Des Moines and Chicago."

All 150 Iowa Cubs games are broadcast on Hope 940 AM.

Iowa Cubs bobbleheads and other special promotions

According to the Iowa Cubs, the following regular will be back for 2025 home games:

  • Tuesday: “Twos-days” ticket offer, in which you get two reserved tickets, two pizza slices and two beers or soft drinks for $40.
  • Wednesday: “Windy City Bundle” ticket offer that includes a reserved grandstand ticket, a Chicago Dog and an Over the Ivy beer or soda for $24.
  • Thursday:
  • Friday: Friday night fireworks shows are planned after each Friday night home game, as well as July 3.
  • Saturday: Play catch on the field before every Saturday home game.
  • Sunday: Kids run the bases after every Sunday home game.

Bobbleheads: There will be two bobblehead giveaways this season featuring Owen Caissie on May 31 and Moises Ballesteros on July 19. Bobbleheads are given to the first 1,000 fans through the door each game.

Dog Days: Dog owners can take their furry friends to Principal Park for Dog Days on May 13, June 10 and July 29.

Dollar dogs: Fans can save a few bucks at the concession stand on dollar dog nights on May 13, June 10, July 1, July 29 and Aug. 19.

Demonios de Des Moines: In conjunction with Minor League Baseball's "Copa de la Diversión" or "Fun Cup" initiative, which celebrates local Hispanic and Latino culture and heritage, the I-Cubs will wear their Demonios uniforms on May 4, June 29 and Sept. 20.

Specialty jerseys: The I-Cubs will have four specialty jerseys this season that will be worn and auctioned off. Margaritaville Night on June 14, Star Wars Night on July 18, Peanuts Day on Aug. 24 and Harry Potter Day on Sept. 7. Other specialty jerseys you will see the I-Cubs don this year will be Jackie Robinson jerseys on April 15 and retro Iowa Oaks jerseys on May 1, June 12, July 31, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18.

Other promotions: Mental Health Awareness Night on May 3 (Clive Behavioral Health and Des Moines University Behavioral Health); STEM Day on May 4; Outdoors Day on May 30; ASL Night on June 26 (Iowa Baseball Camp for the Deaf); Pickle Night on June 28; Sensory Friendly Day on June 29 (ChildServe and Autism Society of Iowa); and Hockey Night on Sept. 5.

Citizenship Ceremony: The I-Cubs will host their 17th Citizenship Ceremony on July 3.

Two-day concert series at Principal Park

Principal Park will host a two-day concert series Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24.

The Pork Tornadoes will headline Friday night, with special guests Damon Dotson and Punching Pandas. Country singer Craig Campbell will headline Saturday, with special guests Jordan Beem and Brad Morgan.

Gates open at 5 p.m. both nights and music begins at 6. The stage will be located immediately adjacent to the third base dugout.

and one-day GA tickets are $15.

Archive video from 1992: Final preparations at new Sec Taylor Stadium ahead of opening day