“Hey, is this Heaven?”… “No…It’s Iowa.” The best movie quote ever. I am so very proud to be from Iowa. George and I are from the little town of Garnavillo, 33 miles north of Dyersville, and the Field of Dreams. We weren’t at the game, but I am happy to post a photograph of a couple of cousins of ours, who were at the game. Their parents sent us this picture on Thursday evening. What a wonderful experience to be in Dyersville for this memorable game. And what a game it was.

Have you seen the movie? I watched it for the first time just a few years ago. Loved it. But after this past week of documentaries and interviews, I learned so much about the making of this little movie, as Kevin Costner called it, I watched it again and loved it so much more. And the hoop-la leading up to the game certainly didn’t disappoint. There is too much great information about it all, I won’t go into that. Google it, there is no doubt replays of the whole week to be found.

But the game. Kevin Costner appeared out of the corn. After greeting the fans, he turned and looked back at the tall green stalks of Iowa corn. There, the Yankees and the White Sox materialized from the rows of corn. The 8000 fans erupted in a welcome roar of glee. The teams lined the diamond and stood proud, hands over their hearts, as Maddie Poppe, an Iowa native, sang our National Anthem. The game couldn’t have been more entertaining, and suspenseful for both sides. Eight home runs sent the fans again roaring with joy, as the ball soared over the park and into the field of corn. After nine innings of a back and forth lead by each team, the White Sox, at the bottom of the ninth inning scored a walk-off two run homer to beat the Yankees. What a thrill for all.

One of the cool facts of the game is that because there is no electricity at the field, the clock that overlooked the stadium, was hand turned every minute during the four hours of the game. A special delight that was a necessary staple at the concession stand was, what else, hot dogs and apple pie. And would you believe this? I glanced out our front room window during the game and a 1956 red and white Chevy drove by. No fooling.

The game was not played on the diamond made for the movie. I was disappointed until I learned that the diamond for the game on Thursday was measured and designed to match the diamond where Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Chicago White Sox played, and were disgraced, during the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. Comiskey Park was demolished in 1990. Plus, a scattering of other buildings were constructed to accommodate the fans and others who would be attending the game. All of this is because of a book written by W. P. Kinsella called Shoeless Joe.

The last cool thing is when one enters the area, the movie set diamond is the first field one sees. After walking through this beloved site, an opening at the far out field border leads through the corn field opening onto the new field. What an experience for Field of Dream fans. Upon leaving, the path leads back into the corn where the visitor can get one last look at the Field of Dreams before heading toward the parking lot.

What a magical place indeed. I will look forward to the next major league game next year. I love you Iowa, you did good.