A Majestic Homage: Unveiling MLB’s ‘Field of Dreams’ Ballpark in Iowa
In the heart of Dyersville, Iowa, Major League Baseball unveiled its latest gem to the press corps this Wednesday. Tommy Birch from the Register shared his impressions.
Stepping onto the infield dirt tracing the first base line of Major League Baseball’s bespoke ballpark in Dyersville, former Chicago White Sox player and manager Ozzie Guillen couldn’t help but marvel at the scene.
A sentiment of awe echoed in Guillen’s words as he surveyed the meticulous craftsmanship of the park, nestled adjacent to the iconic diamond from the beloved movie “Field of Dreams.”
“Every intricate detail, they’ve nailed it,” Guillen remarked.
The ultimate trial for the park awaits on Thursday night, as the White Sox face off against the New York Yankees in a nationally televised regular-season clash at 6 p.m. For many, it will mark the inaugural encounter with the temporary venue, boasting an 8,000-seat capacity and set to host MLB’s maiden regular-season match in Iowa.
“It’s simply incredible,” enthused Dwier Brown, known for his role in “Field of Dreams.”
The anticipation for Thursday’s game has been long in the making for the “Field of Dreams” locale. Construction of the MLB park commenced shortly after the game’s announcement in August 2019. Collaborating with Populous, BaAM Productions, and BrightView, MLB endeavored to fashion a temporary ballpark that paid homage to Iowa and the White Sox, integral elements of the movie and participants in the upcoming game.
Drawing inspiration from Chicago’s former Comiskey Park, the design team integrated elements reminiscent of the historic venue. Notable features include a 12-foot center field wall akin to Comiskey’s, bullpen placements behind said wall for both teams, and a rustic barn wood scoreboard adorning the right field.
Reflecting on the design process, Populous senior principal Todd Barnes, a former patron of the old park, fused nostalgia with innovation, resulting in a homage to the baseball heritage while embracing the essence of the movie.
Surrounded by 159 acres of cornfields, the ballpark stands as a testament to the cinematic iconography of “Field of Dreams.” A mesh 7-foot-high green chain-link fence with offset vertical support posts accentuates the right field, seamlessly blending with the surrounding cornfields. A 16-foot removable fence panel in right field serves as the gateway for teams to emerge onto the field from the cornfields, reminiscent of the film’s iconic scenes.
Emphasizing the Iowa backdrop, Barnes remarked, “It’s all about corn, corn, and more corn, and the ghost players emerging from the cornfields, immersing in that experience.”
For attendees, the journey begins at the “Field of Dreams” movie site, traversing a bridge to the 1989 movie’s diamond. Walking through the outfield cornfields, fans approach the new ballpark, accompanied by a sprawling maze featuring the MLB logo amidst the cornfields.
With meticulous attention to detail, MLB aims to captivate fans with a grand spectacle as they make their way to the park.
“As corny as it sounds,” quipped Cook with a chuckle, “the sight of all that corn is truly astonishing.”
Observing the wind sway the cornfields, Cook anticipates a distinctive playing environment for hitters.
“I believe it’ll be the most unparalleled place to bat,” Cook mused. “Predicting its behavior? Well, I can hardly wait to witness it myself.”
Guillen envisions the park transcending team allegiances, appealing to fans across the spectrum.
“I’m genuinely thrilled,” Guillen remarked, encapsulating the widespread excitement surrounding this unique baseball experience.