Field of Dreams game

[chlankf]

So I signed up for the lottery on MLB, Iowa residents only, to purchase tickets for the Yankees/White Sox game at the Field of Dreams a few weeks ago. I had the wifey and kids sign up as well. Got the email today. I won the opportunity to purchase 2 third base line seats for the game on August 12th. Email says I can purchase tomorrow, dad's birthday. Thanks for the gift from the grave dad. Can't wait for wifey and I to enjoy the game.

Can't tell you how excited I am. Figured you are the right crowd to share my excitement.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

So awesome! Really wanted to go, wished they opened up drawing to the friendly neighbor up north (MN)

[mrreality68]

Congrats glad someone like you won it since you appreciate the game like us.

Enjoy the game and take some pictures to share

[Northviewcats]

Perhaps a once in a lifetime experience. Congratulations. Hope you will share your experience with us with a post after the game. Maybe even a few pictures.

Best regards,

Joe

[ccre]

That is awesome. Congrats! Should be one special game.

[christopher.herman]

Ray Kinsella:
Don't we need a catcher?

Shoeless Joe Jackson:
Not if you get it near the plate we don't.

[packs]

Wow that's awesome. Hope you wind up with a foul ball too.

[ushojh1]

way too cool.....congrats!

[icollectDCsports]

What a great thing to experience. Please do take photos and post them here!

[Rhotchkiss]

That is so cool. Congrats! I would have loved to go. I just looked on stub hub and they are asking $5500/ticket!!

I was there less than a year ago, totally awesome. It is exactly like the movie and there is a $20 suggested admission, as Terry Mann says.

Have a blast and please send pics do we can love vicariously

[Tabe]

I think it's great that they opened it up only to Iowa residents. I also think it's a shame people are selling their tickets on Stubhub.

Awesome that you got a chance to get tickets. Should be an amazing time. Take a ton of pictures of everything and post 'em here! That's not a request, btw. We're coming looking for you if you don't overload us with pics. Just a fair warning!

[Tom S.]

Congrats Craig! I'm sure that you and the wife will enjoy the experience.

Looking forward to seeing the White Sox winning the game.

[abothebear]

Congrats, Craig! I moved out of state two years ago so I didn't get a chance for them. So glad you got them!

[Snowman]

Wow! That's awesome! What a cool experience. Have a blast!

[rjackson44]

Wow

[bnorth]

That is awesome. I posted about the lottery a while back hoping a few member in Iowa might get lucky. Like others posted please take many pic and post them here.

[MJRaider]

Congrats! What an experience.

[chlankf]

Holy hell. Just bought my tickets. $371 for each ticket. This game is going to put a dent in my card purchase fund. Saw tickets next to mine on StubHub already selling for HUGE money. I showed the wifey, not happy about my purchase, and now she doesn't want to go to the game with me. 😂. She wants me to sell her ticket so she can take a weekend for herself. Might just take her up and enjoy the game myself. 😁

Regardless, I will be at the game. I will post pictures of this historic game and am excited to share my experience with you all.

Cheers Craig

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by chlankf

Holy hell. Just bought my tickets. $371 for each ticket. This game is going to put a dent in my card purchase fund. Saw tickets next to mine on StubHub already selling for HUGE money. I showed the wifey, not happy about my purchase, and now she doesn't want to go to the game with me. 😂. She wants me to sell her ticket so she can take a weekend for herself. Might just take her up and enjoy the game myself. 😁

I would be highly tempted to do just that.

9 years ago, I got tickets for the Alabama vs Michigan Cowboys Classic football game in Dallas. I bought 2, one for me and one for a friend. Paid $175 for the tickets. Saw similar ones selling right after that for $1600. Made me wish I'd bought more than 2

[CobbSpikedMe]

That's awesome man! A couple questions for you:

1. Are you able to walk around the field at all and if so, would you walk into the corn stalks?

2. How many seats are there? Seeing images of the field, it doesn't look like very many.

3. Not a question: TAKE PICTURES FOR US PLEASE!

Andy

[Joe_G.]

Congrats Craig !!

I entered as did my wife. I received a note yesterday that I didn't win, wife strangely didn't get a response.

Enjoy it!

[chlankf]

Joe, If my wifey didn't want to go, you'd be my next choice.

I'm going to pick up a few extra programs in case any collectors here want one.

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by Joe_G.

Congrats Craig !!

I entered as did my wife. I received a note yesterday that I didn't win, wife strangely didn't get a response.

Enjoy it!

Joe, sorry you didn’t get tickets. That would have been great. Joe

[chlankf]

Made it to the field of dreams. Got rockstar parking. Gates open at 3:00. So excited!!!

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by chlankf

Made it to the field of dreams. Got rockstar parking. Gates open at 3:00. So excited!!!

Glad you got their early

Looks like you have far to walk.

[MooseDog]

Originally Posted by CobbSpikedMe

That's awesome man! A couple questions for you:
1. Are you able to walk around the field at all and if so, would you walk into the corn stalks?
2. How many seats are there? Seeing images of the field, it doesn't look like very many.
3. Not a question: TAKE PICTURES FOR US PLEASE!
Andy

I think that I heard that the new "stadium" is not on the location of the original movie field, but is built adjacent to it.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by MooseDog

I think that I heard that the new "stadium" is not on the location of the original movie field, but is built adjacent to it.

That's correct. The original movie field is still in use and was used for a youth game on Wednesday.

The "new" stadium is next to that. It has a capacity of 8000 and is still nestled right up against the corn field.

[packs]

Excited for the game tonight. Congrats again on being there.

[Shoeless Moe]

The Outfield or Bleachers I should say looks cool, but that big GEICO & MLB sign behind home, they really know how to wreck a good thing all for a few more bucks.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by Shoeless Moe

The Outfield or Bleachers I should say looks cool, but that big GEICO & MLB sign behind home, they really know how to wreck a good thing all for a few more bucks.

Not surprised about it, but I was thinking the same thing. Would really add to the atmosphere if those signs weren't there.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by icollectDCsports

Not surprised about it, but I was thinking the same thing. Would really add to the atmosphere if those signs weren't there.

Agreed but unfortunately someone has to pay for it.

But the place looks amazing and the players coming out of the cornfield very cool

[Foo3112]

Cant forget the Mattress Firm sign behind home plate.

[jbsports33]

Has been a good game - with some HRs!!!

Hope you enjoyed!!

Jimmy

[Shoeless Moe]

F#%K the Yankees!!!!!


and that's a White Sox winner!!!!!

[ullmandds]

great game! even if the wrong team won!

[MVSNYC]

Really special and entertaining game.

[RCMcKenzie]

Neat game. I enjoyed it. Who paid to build that place? Do Iowa college teams play there? What's it for? I would have expected it to be called the 'Carl's Jr. Field of Dreams game.'

[ThomasL]

Great Game! I have not watched a MLB game on TV in about 2 years, went to my parents and watched with my dad.

Yall might know this or have seen it but did you know the first ever White Sox walk off HR win against the Yankees was hit by Joe Jackson in 1919...crazy!

Gambling promos, the White Sox in 1919 inspired unis and caps, the mentions of Joe Jackson, and the fact that several White Sox game used items are going to Cooperstown...oh the irony of it all

Side note...I really wanted to see an interview with the farmer(s) and land owners...or better yet the neighboring farmers...to get their thoughts...and did they really need a batters eye and jumbotron...those seemed out of place and pointless to me...but still BIG WIN for MLB

[chlankf]

Just got home from the 3 1/2 drive. What an amazing experience. I will post more tomorrow.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by chlankf

Just got home from the 3 1/2 drive. What an amazing experience. I will post more tomorrow.

Nice seats and nice picture

Amazing view

Thanks for sharing and looking forward to the rest of the pictures

[campyfan39]

I have no rooting interest in either team but was captivated by the visuals and the play. MLB could not have scripted a better night in regards to weather or the game itself. A walk off HR into the corn field wow!

BTW that is my fave movie of all time, even more so since my Dad passed in 2004. I was hoping they would have a couple more actors from the movie there and maybe Costner would throw out the first pitch to his "Dad"

Really great night and glad the OP got to attend

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

I'm a big Costner fan so was glad he was involved. I too wish they had more tie-ins to the movie. What a great idea to do this and MLB pulled it off perfectly. This might be a once a year event no?

[oldeboo]

Originally Posted by ajjohnsonsoxfan

This might be a once a year event no?

It seemed like they were pointing towards that during the broadcast. The game was a great idea for all kinds of reasons. Another great move was the Little League Classic when they started that a few years back.

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by ajjohnsonsoxfan

I'm a big Costner fan so was glad he was involved. I too wish they had more tie-ins to the movie. What a great idea to do this and MLB pulled it off perfectly. This might be a once a year event no?

Yah was hoping James Earl Jones showed up. He's 90, but still, he should have been there. And the wife who tried to kill the little girl with the hot dog.

[Shoeless Moe]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

It seemed like they were pointing towards that during the broadcast. The game was a great idea for all kinds of reasons. Another great move was the Little League Classic when they started that a few years back.

...and the Fort Bragg game in 2016.


Be nice if they played a game in states that don't have a team every now and then.

And not F-ing London.

[Mighty Casey]

It was incredible night for myself and my 18 year old son. I'm a lifelong
Iowa resident so I'm a bit bias. If you ever have the chance to come to Iowa and see the game... Do it! Regardless of cost.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

great game! even if the wrong team won!

They did? I thought Chicago won?

[chlankf]

WOW. What an over the top experience. Only thing that could have made this dream opportunity better would have been with my father. He was with me, got notification from MLB on his birthday that I could buy tickets.

The wifey and I left the Des Moines area at 10am for the 3 hour drive to Dyersville. Traffic was light and unnoticeable. We stopped in Dyersville at a convenience store to pick up some tailgating refreshments. Headed to the Field, 5 minutes out. Pow. Traffic is at a stop. Gates open at 2 and it's 1:30. For 30 minutes we creep forward watching people get out of their cars to play catch. These were total strangers. Carloads of people tossing a ball around. Mind you that all the roads leading to the field had police and you had to show your tickets so there was no traffic coming the opposite direction. What a beautiful baseball sight.

2pm and the traffic starts to move. Gates are open. Holy hell. It's happening. I get to the front of the car line quickly and show my handicap parking permit,. I'm disabled and walk with a cane. The attendant points me to the ADA parking lot. I pull up and there are about 6 cars parked in front of the entrance. Rock star feeling to get this spot. The gates to the site open at 3. People watching was terrific. Thousands of people lining up to go in. The wifey and I join a group of southsiders, have some refreshments and play some White Sox cornhole.

Five minutes till gates open. I walk right to the front of the line and ask if I have to wait in line citing my cane. Mr St Peter, the gatekeeper, looks me over and says follow me. With my escort, my wifey and I were taken right to security and let in the park. Unfortunately, due to my disability, I was unable to walk most of the movie site and missed most of what was there. I was ok since I couldn't have a catch with my dad. Just as my legs started to feel uneasy, a limo of a cold cart pulled up to me and asked if I needed a ride. The corn maze and movie site are quite the distance apart. I let the driver know that I wanted a Six hat and a couple programs. He said jump in. Without question, I took his advice. The driver took us around the maze where the team busses, meal facilities for the teams and the locker rooms are. Damn. I'm behind the scenes at this game. Tries as I did, I couldn't get the driver to drop me off right there. Eventually, we pop out of a gate right by a souvenir stand. This part of the stadium was empty. Everyone was still at the movie site. Awesome. Bought some programs, a Sox hat for me and a Yankees hat for the wifey. Now don't judge me. I'm a Tigers fan but I felt I needed to choose a side. Wifey and I grabbed some food and drinks and headed to our seats.

The stadium was pretty empty. The sun was almost unbearable. Fortunately, wifey knows I suffer from heat exhaustion easily and brought an umbrella. We watched the White Sox batting practice. What a treasure seeing all the interaction the players had with those watching. By the time the Yankees took the field the crowd had grown and the excitement in the stands intensified.

The fox pre-game time was filled with rivalry between fans in the stand. Highlighting the pre-game was Kevin Costner, the teams walking out of the cornfield and the bombers flying over. Everyone watching live and on tv saw and probably felt emotionally the same as myself. The thing I struggle to express is what happened when the jets flew over. I thought at first that my legs were becoming unstable. Nope. The damn grandstand was swinging. Everyone in the crowd looked at each other with concern, confusion and excitement. I was honestly scared. Visions of collapse ran through my mind. Hell with it. I'm not going anywhere.

The game was fantastic. Eloy was interacting with the entire left field bleachers the entire game. He has a new fan base here in Iowa. It was funny to see people who wandered off the corn maze and ended up behind the outfield wall. You would see the corn move, then some arms stick up holding a cell phone then the corn move again. At times I found myself watching the corn instead of the game. The game had it's share of home runs hit into the corn and the game ended in some of the most exciting baseball I've ever witnessed. After the game I was picked up by the golf cart and driven back to my car on the same behind the scenes route.

I find it hard to express my emotional experience but this will truly be hard to top. I can tell you that I went to bed tired and with home runs running through my dreams.

I did pick up 5 programs/scorecards. I'm keeping one and another member has asked me for 2. I have 2 left if anyone wants one. They were $10 so that's all I'm asking, plus shipping.

For all the guys asking about paper tickets I have some information.

Paper tickets were not issued. However, I did speak with a guy who had a paper ticket. He stated that at will call they would print your ticket for you. He had done this and I'm sure others did as well. There was also a QR code on the jumbotron stating ticket holders could get their tickets printed and mailed to them for $10 each. They will include your seat assignment. I did order mine and am curious to see if they are different or the same.

I have lots of pictures to upload and will do so this evening.

Side information from the game. The stadium is able to be and is being dismantled after the game. It was announced that the stadium is being put into storage until the next event. I believe that this will become an annual event.

Craig

[Arazi4442]

Thanks for the write up, Craig.

Sounds like an incredible experience. The behind-the-scenes golf cart tour will be hard to top. And talk about a great game - walk-off homer, Judge with 2 bombs. Amazing.

[abothebear]

Great report, Craig. Thanks!