Field of Dreams Sold to Local Non-Profit, Could Another MLB Game Happen?

A flurry of news and speculation has surrounded the Field of Dreams over the last few days. In an unfortunate coincidence, the news breaks at about the same time as eastern Iowa, and the larger cinematic world, is in mourning over the loss of one of the stars of the 1989 movie.

Taking the three big pillars one at a time, let's start with the most locally significant: the Field of Dreams Movie Site has been sold to an Iowa-based nonprofit as of last Wednesday. The sale price was not immediately disclosed.

The Field of Dreams Has Changed Ownership Hands:

The nonprofit who purchased the site is Dyersville Events Inc, who assumed ownership from Go the Distance Baseball, as first reported by the Telegraph Herald. The new ownership agreement is expected to lay the foundation for "the next exciting chapter in the Field of Dreams Story," per Nate Runde of Dyersville Events Inc. in a press release.

Back in 2022, it was revealed that everything from a sports complex to a hotel and additional fields could be coming to the iconic movie site. Work on that project, dubbed "Project Heaven," has already commenced as of fall 2022. An RV park and amphitheater are among the additional amenities that are anticipated in the building plans.

Per Telegraph Herald, the new ownership group has strong plans "to enhance and preserve the property." The initial prognosis of "Project Heaven" was for it to be completed by 2025, but the project has run into issues. Supply-chain issues are to blame for its delay in progress.

Will the MLB Return to the Movie Site?:

Initially, KWWL reported that the Mayor of Dyersville anticipated that another MLB at Field of Dreams game would take place in 2026, following the ongoing construction project. Later, Ron Steele of KWWL spoke with an official at Travel Dubuque, who stated that "was simply only a possibility." Nothing has been finalized at this point.

There was no MLB at Field of Dreams game due to the ongoing construction, prompting Major League Baseball to play a game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AB. Rickwood Field was the former home of the Negro League Birmingham Black Barons. The game was conceived as a celebration of baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays, but turned into a memorial at the last minute, as Mays died a day before the game was to take place.

At this time, it's unknown when/if the MLB will return to the Field of Dreams, even under the new ownership.

James Earl Jones' Death:

In lieu of all of this news surrounding the Field of Dreams, hearts shattered across eastern Iowa, and the larger film world, on Monday, September 9th when news broke that James Earl Jones, one of the stars in the 1989 movie, passed away. Jones was regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation; one of the few to be an "EGOT" (an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony-winning performer).

While maybe most famous for being the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars, James Earl Jones is locally known as Terence Mann from Field of Dreams. Terence was a controversial author from the 1960s, and in the film, his books are trying to be banned. James plays a pivotal role in the film.

Numerous eulogies poured in for the titan, who was 93-years-old, including James' co-star Kevin Costner, who had shared thoughtful words on his personal Facebook page.

Just last month, my girlfriend and I visited the Field of Dreams Movie Site to meet Chicago Cubs MVP Ben Zobrist, who was signing autographs ahead of his appearance in the "Ghost Players" game.

Read more about the Field of Dreams Movie Site being sold to a Dyersville non-profit on Telegraph Herald's website.