March 04, 2026
Local NewsState & National

I-Cubs to visit kids in Orient

March 16 event open to kids of all ages

By Orient Community Library
Iowa Cubs

Iowa Cubs (Contributed)

Orient has long been known for its rich baseball tradition. Baseball legend “Dazzy” Vance, also known as “The Orient Express”, started his boyhood here. Well-known for his blazing fastball, Vance played for two major league baseball teams before being inducted into the baseball hall of fame in 1955.

Fast forward to 2011, and success in the sport continued, when Orient-Macksburg’s high school baseball team made its debut appearance in the state baseball tournament in Des Moines. You also can’t drive through Orient without noticing The Dugout Cafe, owned by former Orient-Macksburg baseball coach Louis Cruz — the restaurant is decked out in baseball and softball decor.

Monday, March 16, Orient will host a baseball-themed event as the town welcomes representatives from the Iowa Cubs organization. I-Cubs personnel, along with their famous mascot, Cubbie, will share their love of the sport with children 10 a.m. to noon at the Orient Community Library. I-Cubs staff will read baseball and softball stories and Cubbie will pose for pictures with those in attendance.

Children up to 4 years old are invited to attend for the first hour with older children welcome during the second hour. I-Cubs Director of Communication, Scott Sailor, will be available to visit with middle and high school youth about the wide variety of careers available today in sports.

All area youth are welcome and encouraged to attend this special story time sports event. The entrance to the library is located on the east side of the O-M elementary school building. The event is free and no pre-registration is required. For more information about the I-Cubs visit, please call the library at (641) 745-7441 or e-mail om.community.library@gmail.com.

Following the story time and picture activities, youth are also invited to try out their baseball and softball skills in the school’s gymnasium. There will be hitting, throwing and base running stations set up. All participants must wear clean tennis or sports shoes in order to participate in the skills stations.