The Fairfax Stars captured the Iowa Valley League title last season and also claimed the IABA state title to finish a terrific year.

Now the 2018 champions are headed home.

The Stars, who feature a strong nucleus of former Mount Mercy and Kennedy ballplayers, will be playing all their home games on friendly fields this time around.

The Stars have scheduled three doubleheaders on the new turf field at Mount Mercy University and they'll also have two home doubleheaders on Herkelman Field at Kennedy.

The Iowa Valley League, which began way back in 1935, begins its 83rd season this Sunday with three doubleheaders.

The Stars begin the season at Walford, Norway visits Red Top, and Williamsburg plays at Watkins. All of the action begins at 1 p.m.

Red Top is also on the move this year, with four of its home doubleheaders scheduled at Iowa City West, including the opener this  Sunday.

The Iowa Valley League runs for 10 weeks from May 27 through July 29,  followed by the IABA state tournament during the first two weekends in August.

The league is looking for more umpires the season. Anyone interested in working should contact Mike Gibney at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Anyone interested in working the games at Williamsburg should contact  Lloyd Brockshus at 319-470-9270.

2018 SCHEDULE
(All Doubleheaders)

MAY 27

Williamsburg at Watkins, 1 p.m.
Stars at Walford, 1 p.m.
Norway at Red Top, at Iowa City West, 1 p.m.

JUNE 3

Red Top at Stars, at Mount Mercy, 1 p.m.
Walford at Williamsburg, 1 p.m.
Watkins at Norway, 5 p.m.

JUNE 10

Watkins at Red Top, 1 p.m.
Williamsburg at Stars, at Mount Mercy, 1 p.m.
Walford at Norway, 5 p.m.

JUNE 17

Red Top at Walford, 1 p.m.
Norway at Williamsburg, 1 p.m.
Stars at Watkins, 4 p.m.

JUNE 24

Williamsburg at Red Top, at Iowa City West, 1 p.m.
Norway at Stars, at Kennedy, 1 p.m.
Walford at Watkins, 4 p.m.

JULY 1

Watkins at Williamsburg, 1 p.m.
Walford at Stars, at Mount Mercy, 1 p.m.
Red Top at Norway, 5 p.m.

JULY 7

Norway at Watkins, 5 p.m.

JULY 8

Stars at Red Top, at Iowa City West, 1 p.m.
Williamsburg at Walford, 1 p.m.

JULY 15

Norway at Walford, 1 p.m.
Stars at Williamsburg, 1 p.m.
Red Top at Watkins, 4 p.m.

JULY 22

Watkins at Stars, at Kennedy, 1 p.m.
Walford at Red Top, at Iowa City West, 1 p.m.
Williamsburg at Norway, 5 p.m.

JULY 29

Watkins at Walford, 1 p.m.
Red Top at Williamsburg, 1 p.m.
Stars at Norway, 5 p.m.