The Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa, recently hosted a Major League Baseball game, marking a magical moment in sports history. This event, presented by John Deere and streamed live on Netflix, brought together thousands of fans, 26 Hall of Famers, and VIPs like Theo Von. The game was played on the grounds where director Phil Alden Robinson filmed the beloved 1989 sports drama starring Kevin Costner, and it was the first in four years to take place inside a newly constructed, permanent stadium adjacent to the movie's original baseball field and farmhouse.
The movie site filled up first as fans flocked to take photographs of the scene and mingle with "ghost" players who were keen to play catch. Star players from the Phillies and Twins also roamed the field freely with families, friends, and fellow players. It was a uniquely special sight that even saw Phillies managing partner and chief executive officer John Middleton hitting the infield to play catch with his grandsons.
One of the players, Derek Hill, who hails from Des Moines, expressed his excitement about being part of the event. "It means a lot to me to be here, but I think it means more to the state by bringing the recognition," he said. The film is currently on Netflix, and the streamer must have seen a bit of a surge in viewership, as nearly every person encountered at the field said they watched it again in recent days or weeks leading up to the game.
Theo Von, who was also in attendance, shared his thoughts on the film. "I watched it on an airplane the other day because I knew we were coming here," he said. "I wanted to relight the candle a little bit. It’s a nice story about a father-son that really brings people together. I’ve run into some fathers and sons here at the ballpark today, so that’s been really cool and kind of heartwarming to see."
The event also served as a reminder of the challenges faced by Hollywood in recent years. Producer Larry Gordon, who was not in attendance, shared his experience of getting the film made back in the '80s. "Whenever you think you have a hard pitch to sell, think about this one: A farmer plows on his corn crop to build a baseball diamond so that the ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson comes back to the team of dead players," he said. "We were turned down and practically thrown out by every studio more than once. It took years, but we got it made."
The film went on to secure three Academy Award nominations, including one for best picture. Robinson also snagged one for best adapted screenplay, which was based on Canadian novelist W. P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel Shoeless Joe. Iconic lines and script passages — "is this heaven?" to "if you build it, he will come" — were peppered throughout the grounds, from Fanatics merch stands and backdrops to billboards.
The event also featured a gaggle of talent to fill out the broadcast, including broadcasters Anthony Rizzo, Elle Duncan, Matt Vasgersian, and Lauren Shehadi, along with baseball greats Sabathia, Barry Bonds, and Albert Pujols. "I’m glad that Netflix jumped into bed with us to be able to bring the sport to a wider fan base," Sabathia said. "Netflix has hit it right on the money with trying to expand the fan base."
The push is part of a wider trend in sports to eventize regular season games to rally existing fans while embracing new ones. "The challenge for baseball is how do you create these jewel events in a schedule that requires 162 games be played in a 180-day window? It’s very difficult," Vasgersian said. "As opposed to doing a game from an iconic ballpark that’s been around for a hundred years, like Fenway Park in Boston or Wrigley Field in Chicago, where you’re just steeped in the history, the history for the Field of Dreams game is really accessible."
Shehadi agreed. "I always talk about moments in time in life. This is a moment in time for me. It’s one of those things that I’ll think about for the rest of my life. I grew up around this game. I was at the ball field when I was seven years old and my dad and mom would drop me off. And I grew this deep love, this deep love for the game," she explained. "This game is for love of sport and love of country. Having this game in such a beautiful place at the Field of Dreams, it takes you back to your childhood to those simple, pure times. … That’s what this game represents. It’s a magical moment in time."
The event also featured a corn shucking contest, elote corn bites at concession stands, and fans decked out in corn costumes or hats. Before the game and in between innings, fans kept busy playing cornhole. After the final pitch had been thrown, Phillies players ran onto the field to celebrate their victory. The final score and the entire experience delivered a Hollywood ending for Iowa native Hill, who was seen taking an ear of corn as a souvenir. "It was really cool to be able to come back here and live out my dream," he said.
