Griffeys set the tone in Iowa: 'Dad, wanna have a catch?'

DYERSVILLE, Iowa -- The first father-and-son duo to play together in AL/NL history opened the Field of Dreams Game on Thursday in heartwarming fashion by doing something real simple.

"Hey, Dad, wanna have a catch?" Ken Griffey Jr. asked his father after the duo emerged from the cornfield beyond right field at the ballpark.

It mimicked the final scene of the movie, and the nearly 8,000 fans cheered with great approval.

Then father and son did just that, throwing the ball back and forth while they soaked in the moment. They were soon joined by a group of kids.

Moments later, the Griffeys were joined by several Cubs and Reds living Hall of Famers -- Johnny Bench and Barry Larkin from Cincinnati and Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg, Billy Williams and Andre Dawson from Chicago.

Everyone gathered on the infield -- along with the Reds and Cubs -- for the national anthem. A ceremonial first pitch followed, from the pitching great Jenkins to the catching legend Bench.

Not a bad way to begin a special night in Iowa.