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| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
Thirty years ago, the Universal Studios movie Field of Dreams was released. It was a film about baseball, but, more than that, it was a magical fairy tale for anyone who has a dream they wish would come true.
After the movie was done, the baseball field the main character (Kevin Costner) creates in his corn field (because of a message he receives “If you build it, he will come”) was kept by the property owners and turned into a tourist attraction.
To this day, you can visit the Field of Dreams for free, bring your ball,
bat & glove and play baseball on the field or watch a pick-up game
from the stands.
August is the best time to visit because the corn field behind the baseball diamond is at it's tallest and fullest prior to the Fall harvest.
August is the best time to visit because the corn field behind the baseball diamond is at it's tallest and fullest prior to the Fall harvest.
Our Visit to Field of Dreams
The year after the movie was released in 1989, we visited Dyersville, Iowa and saw the Field of Dreams. This past week August 2019) we returned for another visit. It was just as enchanting as it was the first time. Especially for this baseball fan who loves the movie.
A few changes have been made over the years. The original owners sold out to another owner who later sold the rights to the area to 'Go the Distance' Baseball, which has owned and preserved the site since December 2012. A gift shop has been added (I bought a T-Shirt that says “Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa” (another iconic line from the movie), which brings in operating revenue for maintaining the site. The original house, in which several scenes were filmed, is now available to rent for the night. Plus, Go the Distance has hosted several events, such as the “Ghost Players game”, and have more events planned. Under this new ownership, attendance has nearly doubled to over 100,000 visitors a year.
Our Day at Field of Dreams in Photos
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| Field of Dreams Outfield |
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Visitors playing pick-up baseball on the Field of Dreams |
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| Wednesday Elf on the Pitcher's Mound |
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| Field of Dreams view from the Cornfield |
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The cornfield from where (just like in the movie) Shoeless Joe & the White Sox Players enter the field. |
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| Farm House at the Field of Dreams |
MLB at Field of Dreams
Just recently it was announced that in August, 2020, MLB will play a major league game (the first ever held in Iowa) at a temporary field being built for the event. Since the movie is based on the book Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella about Shoeless Joe Jackson of the 1919 White Sox coming to play (as a ghost) at this Iowa baseball field with his teammates, this MLB game will be between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees.
A new stadium, with seating for 8,000 fans, began construction right after our visit and will be ready next August for what is being billed as “MLB at Field of Dreams”.
Don Lansing, owner of the Lansing Farm, was recently interviewed by Phil
Roberts for The North Scott Press in Eldridge, Iowa. Lansing was quoted as
saying he thinks the MLB venture will be a huge success.
Like Terrence Mann (James Earl Jones) said in the movie to Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella:
Like Terrence Mann (James Earl Jones) said in the movie to Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella:
"This field, this game, it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again. Oh people will come, Ray, People will most definitely come."
Field of Dreams baseball field is here to stay!*
*Update Note: The
2020 MLB at Field of Dreams game was postponed due to the panendemic.
It was finally held, and was a huge success, last night (8/12/2021).
The teams were the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees, with
the White Sox winning in a wild and exciting walk-off home run finish.
Final score 9-8.
Because this special game, the first time a Major League Baseball
game has ever been played in Iowa, was so well received, what was to
have been a 'one-time-only' event is already sparking rumors that it
will become an annual event. A baseball game in the cornfields of
Iowa, just like the iconic movie starring Kevin Costner, is special
and deserves to be repeated ~ it reflects a 'dream come
true'.
(c) Wednesday Elf 8/31/2019. Updated 8/13/2021
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
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How very cool! I had no idea the real movie site had been preserved. It is truly the perfect Baseball Fan destination for a fun day off the baseball diamond or stadiums. I must also say, those corn fields look pristine! They must have a crew that tends the corn fields to maintain such a beautiful crop. I know how much you love baseball, Elf. I'm glad you got to go, twice!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun place to visit right after the movie was released. Now that I actually live in Iowa, we just had to visit again. We did not know about the major league game scheduled to be played next year until we got there. Would love to go, but I imagine the 8,000 seats will be very expensive and filled immediately. Luckily, the game will be televised, so I'll get to see it. :)
DeleteGosh, wish I had thought to visit this special place before moving from Iowa (or on my visits back home). I guess I didn't realize it had been turned into a tourist attraction. I'd love to see it. I'll have to watch the movie again before making my pilgrimage. I enjoyed it the first time and am certain to find much to like the second time around. What a great review. It transported me to another time and place. I love when that happens.
ReplyDeleteIt IS a special place, especially for fans of the movie and any baseball fan. It was only about an hour and a half trip for us up from the Quad Cities area where we now live. Fun times. You'll have to visit Iowa again and come see it, Diana.
DeleteLoved that movie! What a fun trip, I wasn't aware the "field" still existed!
ReplyDeleteTracey, I think a lot of people are not aware that this special baseball field was preserved and turned into a tourist attraction. Even 30 years later, around 100,000 people visit each year. It's open Spring through Fall and closed in the winter months ~ natch. Wouldn't be much to see with snow covering the field. LOL.
DeleteVery interesting! Our son (who is a huge baseball fan) took a road trip up there when he got out of law school. He loved it. Thanks for an interesting review.
ReplyDeleteI love that movie and had no idea that the Field of Dreams had been preserved and opened to the public. The way they are allowing visitors to interact with it is a marvelous idea! I can imagine how much fun it would be to spend an afternoon there. Clearly, you two had a fantastic day there. I love your photos! Thanks so much for letting us know about this hidden gem and for sharing your second trip there so we can enjoy your visit vicariously!
ReplyDeleteWow, I had no idea you could visit it, or that it existed as on ongoing feature from the movie. Love your photos and would absolutely enjoy visiting the Field of Dreams. That movie was fabulous.
ReplyDeleteOh it looks like you had a really fun time at the Field of Dreams. I loved that movie and I'm sure would enjoy a visit to this site. One day it will happen, I just need to put it on my "Places to Go" list. Thanks for giving me a heads up!
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