Field of Dreams game

[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!

[Snapolit1]

I’m sure it was a lovely thing to attend. But I had to check out of the TV broadcast after a bit. Like the Olympics, the manufacturered smaltz and sugar saturated sentiment is just too much. And I
Actually like the movie.

[BRoberts]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I’m sure it was a lovely thing to attend. But I had to check out of the TV broadcast after a bit. Like the Olympics, the manufacturered smaltz and sugar saturated sentiment is just too much. And I
Actually like the movie.

On the bright side, at least you didn't receive a lot of email reminders about the game.

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

I’m sure it was a lovely thing to attend. But I had to check out of the TV broadcast after a bit. Like the Olympics, the manufacturered smaltz and sugar saturated sentiment is just too much. And I
Actually like the movie.

I absolutely agree with you. And also what they do during the All-Star game.

I loved the movie.

EDIT: Didn't mean at all to detract from what was obviously a great time for the OP. I would like to see the place myself, someday.

[abothebear]

Thanks for the pictures, Craig. This is great!

[chlankf]

Having trouble posting pics. Most in my phone won't upload. Try again later.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by chlankf

Having trouble posting pics. Most in my phone won't upload. Try again later.

Thank you for the story and pictures.

Most phone pics are way too big to upload without resizing them first.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by chlankf

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 sat here reading your recap and picturing the scenes in my head. I'm seeing groups of people playing catch next to their cars. I'm seeing you whipping around the stadium site on this golf cart getting the VIP tour treatment. And I'm sitting here grinning ear to ear. It sounds like you had a truly incredible, magical experience and I'm super happy for you. What an amazing day!

[peanuts]

Originally Posted by 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

Craig, I'll gladly take one of those programs!

And WOW. That sounds like it was an even more amazing experience in person than it was on TV! The bit about people trying to get photos through the corn sounds like such a special atmosphere. So glad you were able to see it all!

Here's hoping that MLB make this an annual occurrence. Highest rated regular season game in 16 years!

[robert67]

The Field of Dreams game is the only game this season I have watched from start to finish.

Incredible watching on TV and even more so in person I'm sure. Thanks for posting your experience.

[abothebear]

Also the only game I have watched this season (I wish I saw Waiwright's complete game this week). I enjoyed it. I hate manufactured schmaltz, and there was plenty about the broadcast that was overdone. The whole thing is kinda weird, but the fundamental thing of it, baseball in a timeless setting, with a small crowd, rang true. And you could see it with the way the players were enjoying themselves and were really into the game. It was fun to watch players playing the game like that, and the crowd enjoying the game like that.

And Craig's story of strangers playing catch as they waited for the gates to open was pretty great too. That can only happen at a game with conditions like that, where there is space, and the time and space allow for it. I hope they continue to do games like this. But I also hope they don't ruin it. What worked, in my opinion, was the way they protected the experience and made for that time and space. That is the guts of what they got right from the movie. But that can and should be done in other places, and it doesn't need to keep having a strong movie tie-in. You could do a protected timeless game in any of the rural places baseball used to be played - in the mining areas of the Appalachians, upstate New York, In the lumber mills of the south. I'm sure the people here could suggest hundreds of places MLB would do well to host these protected games that would be visually beautiful and would celebrate the ancient history of the game. They could still call it the Field of Dreams game because they would be building the field, and people would come.

[Yoda]

I think this event, as well-done as if scripted, was good both for baseball and the country, particularly now.

[Hirbonzig]

If the Field of Dreams field is to be dismantled and stored, it can be trucked to a new location too. I would suggest a MLB game at a HOF’s birthplace like Hank Aaron’s in Mobile Alabama. Like Iowa, bring Major League Baseball to a new state- albeit for just one game.

[abothebear]

The could call it the Barnstorming Series to step it away from the movie. Or even the Field of Dreams Barnstorming Series to keep the connection to the original. MLB should read Net54, these ideas are gold!

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Originally Posted by abothebear

Also the only game I have watched this season (I wish I saw Waiwright's complete game this week). I enjoyed it. I hate manufactured schmaltz, and there was plenty about the broadcast that was overdone. The whole thing is kinda weird, but the fundamental thing of it, baseball in a timeless setting, with a small crowd, rang true. And you could see it with the way the players were enjoying themselves and were really into the game. It was fun to watch players playing the game like that, and the crowd enjoying the game like that.

And Craig's story of strangers playing catch as they waited for the gates to open was pretty great too. That can only happen at a game with conditions like that, where there is space, and the time and space allow for it. I hope they continue to do games like this. But I also hope they don't ruin it. What worked, in my opinion, was the way they protected the experience and made for that time and space. That is the guts of what they got right from the movie. But that can and should be done in other places, and it doesn't need to keep having a strong movie tie-in. You could do a protected timeless game in any of the rural places baseball used to be played - in the mining areas of the Appalachians, upstate New York, In the lumber mills of the south. I'm sure the people here could suggest hundreds of places MLB would do well to host these protected games that would be visually beautiful and would celebrate the ancient history of the game. They could still call it the Field of Dreams game because they would be building the field, and people would come.

Brilliant idea! I hope this comes to pass. Craig thanks for sharing and you're a good writer!

[chlankf]

Here are a few more pictures from the game. I took a few awesome panoramic pictures but they won't load here. If you want to see them, friend me on Facebook. Craig Lankford in Iowa.

[Popcorn]

Originally Posted by robert67

The Field of Dreams game is the only game this season I have watched from start to finish.

Incredible watching on TV and even more so in person I'm sure. Thanks for posting your experience.

Same here, watched the whole thing. First time in a long time.