What to know about Field of Dreams Game
Bryan Hoch
@BryanHoch“Is this heaven?”
No, it’s Iowa -- and when Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Tim Anderson and José Abreu take their first steps out of the cornfield with their teammates on Thursday evening, they’ll bring “Field of Dreams” from the big screen to the big leagues.
The Yankees and White Sox are ready to “go the distance” in the long-awaited contest in Dyersville, Iowa, the first Major League game played in Iowa.
“'Field of Dreams' is a great movie; it embraces family and what the game’s all about,” said White Sox manager Tony La Russa, who will miss the game to attend the funeral of his sister’s husband. “It’s a very special opportunity. Our guys are really excited to be there. I’ve seen some of their comments already. It should be a great day.”
To Yankees manager Aaron Boone, the Field of Dreams Game fits right alongside Major League Baseball’s ventures in special events like the London Series, the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pa., and a 2016 game played at a military base in Fort Bragg, N.C.
“I think we all have a nostalgic view of 'Field of Dreams,'” Boone said. “These things in the course of a long season have all been great ideas and winners in my mind for Major League Baseball. It’s something that I think our entire group is really looking forward to being a part of.”
When is the game? How can I watch?
First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. FOX will televise the game. Gates will open to ticket-holders at 3 p.m. CT.
Who will be the home team? What are the logistics?
The White Sox, who factored heavily into the film with “Shoeless” Joe Jackson being a key figure, will be the home team. Both clubs will fly to Dubuque, Iowa, on Thursday, bus 25 miles to Dyersville and receive private tours of the movie site and stadium. The teams will wear retro uniforms meant to evoke the turn-of-the-century feel of the movie.
After the game, both clubs will fly from Dubuque to Chicago for a series that continues on Saturday.
“I’m excited about running through the cornfields, because who wouldn’t be?” said White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks. “I want to be able to walk on the set and sit in those wooden bleachers and do my own little Shoeless Joe thing and walk through the corn onto the field.”
Who are the starting pitchers?
Left-hander Andrew Heaney (7-8, 5.45 ERA) will start for the Yankees. With left-hander Carlos Rodón on the injured list, the White Sox will hand the ball to right-hander Lance Lynn (10-3, 2.04 ERA).
Pat Hoberg, a native of Urbandale, Iowa, will have the honors of shouting: “Play ball!” Hoberg has been tabbed as the home-plate umpire.
What are the starting lineups?
YANKEES
- DJ LeMahieu, 2B
- Brett Gardner, CF
- Aaron Judge, RF
- Joey Gallo, LF
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH
- Luke Voit, 1B
- Rougned Odor, 3B
- Kyle Higashioka, C
- Tyler Wade, SS
WHITE SOX
- Tim Anderson, SS
- César Hernández, 2B
- José Abreu, 1B
- Eloy Jimenez, LF
- Yoan Moncada, 3B
- Andrew Vaughn, DH
- Luis Robert, CF
- Adam Engel, RF
- Seby Zavala, C
What is Field of Dreams?
Famous for the phrase, “If you build it, he will come,” Field of Dreams is a 1989 film that starred Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster, adapting W.P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel “Shoeless Joe.”
It tells the story of Ray Kinsella (Costner), an Iowa man who is spiritually moved to build a baseball field on his cornfield. His actions summon the return of Jackson, the exiled White Sox great, and lead to an opportunity to play catch with his estranged father: “Hey Dad, you wanna have a catch?”
The film was nominated for three Academy Awards -- Best Original Score, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. In 2017, Field of Dreams was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.”
Will any of the actors from the film be in attendance?
Costner has been in Iowa for several days, as has Dwier Brown, who played Costner’s father in the film. Brown has said that other actors may also attend.
How did this come about?
The Field of Dreams Game between the White Sox and Yankees was announced in 2019 and originally scheduled to be played in August '20. Due to travel restrictions accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic, MLB briefly planned to substitute the Cardinals for the Yankees, but ultimately postponed the contest until '21.
Commissioner Rob Manfred visited the movie site in 2016, which sparked the idea to play a Major League game there.
Will the teams be playing on the field from the movie?
No. A new 8,000-seat facility was constructed for the game, located a quarter-mile west of the diamond from the movie. The field dimensions are 335 feet to left and right fields, 380 feet to the power alleys and 400 feet to straightaway center field, surrounded by 159 acres of corn.
The dimensions and appearance of the stadium are meant to resemble old Comiskey Park, the White Sox’s home from 1910-90. A corn maze leads fans from the movie site to the stadium.
How were tickets distributed?
The Field of Dreams Game has proved to be one of the hottest tickets in recent sports memory. A lottery was held for people with Iowa zip codes to attend the contest. A sellout crowd is expected. “People will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.”
What will happen after the game?
After Thursday’s game, construction crews will dismantle the temporary stadium, placing seating and other materials into storage. The field will remain in use for future events, including all levels of baseball.
Can I visit the Field of Dreams movie site?
Yes. The Field of Dreams ballfield, with its quaint and recognizable farmhouse, is available for year-round viewing. Visit https://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com for more information.