As the spring high school baseball season is a few weeks from wrapping up and the youth seasons ramp up, there’s another group of ballplayers getting ready to make their 2025 debut. The Brookings Cubs are back for another summer of baseball.

The Cubs are Brookings’ adult amateur baseball team, one of the longest tenured sports teams in the state with roots dating back over 120 years. Over the years the team has had various names like the Reds and Merchants, before a failed fund drive resulted in the team purchasing an old set of Chicago Cubs uniforms for the 1934 season, forever changing the team’s name.

The Cubs provide players with an opportunity to showcase their talents beyond their high school years and to continue playing the game they love at a high level. The level of talent grows annually and it’s as competitive as can be every time on the field. This is far from a “beer league” team, league, or class of baseball.

Brookings placed fifth last year and is looking to bounce back with a new cast of playmakers ready to give this city a state title, the first since 2002.

The Cubs play home games at Bob Shelden Field and the 22-game schedule includes 10 games at home, an early-June tournament in Minnesota, as well as hosting the North District Tournament at the end of July. The team opens play on the road this Monday, May 12, against the reigning Class B champion Dell Rapids PBR, before making its home debut two nights later, Wednesday, May 14, against the Volga Cormorants.

After district play, the first weekend of the state tournament for Class A is in Aberdeen, Aug. 8-10, with six teams moving on to join Class B in Brandon (which is hosting the B’s for the first time ever) the second weekend, Aug. 15-17.

Brookings is one of seven teams in the super-competitive Sioux Empire League. Dating back to 1996, a Sioux Empire League team has won the Class A championship each year except for 2006 (Vermillion) and 2003 (Yankton), with the Cubs claiming five straight titles (1996-2000), plus a sixth in 2002.

The Cubs welcome several new faces to the team this year. The 2025 roster includes 19 current or former college players, as well as several others who will have years of amateur baseball experience under their belts. While the team will again be one of the youngest in the Class A ranks, there’s a whole lot of talent to go around on this squad.

Admission to all Cubs home games is $6 for adults, while seniors, veterans or those showing a Friends of Brookings Baseball season pass can enjoy the game for $3. Children under the age of 18 are free. Cubs season passes will be available at the gate and are $50 each. The team will also offer beer sales during home games and the concessions will be open nightly.

If you’re looking for a great way to spend a night at the ballpark, we encourage you to visit Bob Shelden Field and take in a Cubs game and cheer on the team.

The Cubs are also gearing up to host a youth clinic on Sunday, May 18. Nearly 100 area youth baseball players are registered!

For more information on the Cubs, check out their website at brookingscubs.com, or you can find the team on social media (Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram), @brookingscubs.

Play ball!