They built it, and thousands came.
The Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville, Iowa, roared back to life last Thursday to host upwards of 8,000 fans, 26 Hall of Famers and VIPs like Theo Von to take in Major League Baseball’s regular season matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. The high-profile outing, presented by John Deere and streamed live on Netflix, marked only the third MLB game to be played on the grounds where director Phil Alden Robinson filmed the beloved 1989 sports drama starring Kevin Costner.
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But it was the first in four years and the first to take place inside a newly constructed, permanent stadium adjacent to the movie’s original baseball field and farmhouse. True to its inspiration, it’s also framed by meticulously arranged cornrows, which guests passed through in order to access the stadium. The wait only served to amp up the anticipation, and one could feel the excitement on the grounds as gates opened for press and special guests hours ahead of the 6:30 p.m. start time. It also helped that rain clouds that had been dumping on Iowa all week dried up just in the nick of time.
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 (with gloves and balls available to use free of charge). 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.
It was a pinch-me day for Phillies player and Iowa native Derek Hill, who hails from Des Moines. “It means a lot to me to be here, but I think it means more to the state by bringing the recognition,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “Seeing all these people out here enjoying the game of baseball and tying it back to the movie, it’s incredible.”
Hill has seen the film “countless times” over the course of his 30 years, joking that he “probably watched it the day I was born with my pops.” The film is currently on Netflix, and the streamer must have seen a bit of a surge in viewership, as nearly every person THR encountered at the field said they watched it again in recent days or weeks leading up to the game.
“I watched it on an airplane the other day because I knew we were coming here,” Von told THR from his seat mid-game. “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.”
Hollywood has had a rough go in recent years, so it’s heartwarming for many industry insiders to hear just how alive the legacy is for one of its exports, especially after the passing of decades. Though he wasn’t in attendance, producer Larry Gordon just recently shared what an uphill battle it was to get the picture 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 all because one day working in his field that farmer heard an unattached voice whisper to him in a very easy to decipher message that anyone would quickly get: ‘If you build it, he would come,'” Gordon said while accepting Producers United’s Legacy Award on Sherry Lansing’s back lawn. “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.
Hall of Famer CC Sabathia, who parted the cornrows to walk on the field as part of a group of 26 legends before the first pitch, told THR that he only watched the film for the first time last week. “I loved it,” said Sabathia, who also joined Netflix as an on-screen commentator for the broadcast. “When you watch the movie, it gets you back into the memories of what got you into baseball in the first place. Baseball is one of those sports that relies on an older father, brother, grandfather or uncle to play catch with you, toss some ground balls, pitches or pop-ups. For me, I was an only child and there were three people — my dad and two uncles — who were never too tired to play with me. They meant a lot to me so watching the movie meant a lot to me because of them.”
Netflix and the MLB pulled out all the stops and a gaggle of talent to fill out the broadcast. On the scene were broadcasters Anthony Rizzo, Elle Duncan, Matt Vasgersian and Lauren Shehadi along with baseball greats Sabathia, Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols who joined the telecast to provide insider commentary. “I’m glad that Netflix jumped into bed with us to be able to bring the sport to a wider fan base,” Sabathia told THR of the streamer’s recent and inaugural foray into MLB action with three events: opening night in March, the Home Run Derby in July and the Field of Dreams game. “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. The film is not that old in the grand scheme of things, and the movie set still exists. It’s not like going to Universal Studios and seeing the New York street sets and having somebody tell you, ‘This is where they shot the movie.’ This is here and it’s special.”
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.”
If you ask anyone in attendance at the game, they would also cite the magical moment of watching those 26 Hall of Famers emerge from the cornfield in the outfield to make their way to the infield to be introduced by Schwarber and fellow All-Star Byron Buxton of the Twins. Newly inducted Hall of Famers Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent had the honor of throwing out the first pitches while Alana Springsteen sang the National Anthem.
Schwarber did his best to keep the good vibes going. As the first batter to kick off the game, he smashed a home run deep into right field for what would be his first of two. It was greeted by fireworks. “It’s so cool to see a ball disappear into a cornfield,” said a fan seated near THR. In total, there were four home runs (three for Philadelphia and one for Minnesota) as the Phillies rallied to beat the Twins 7-1. Aside from the fully grown stalks in the fields, corn was seemingly everywhere.
There was 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. He said, “It was really cool to be able to come back here and live out my dream.”
Hill snags a souvenir after his team won the MLB matchup.Credit: Chris Gardner/The Hollywood ReporterA general view of the original house used for filming. It’s now for rent on Airbnb.Credit: Chris Gardner/The Hollywood ReporterA general view of the atmosphere on the original field used for filming with “ghost” players.Credit: Chris Gardner/The Hollywood ReporterPhiladelphia Phillies players walk the field before game time. Credit: Chris Gardner/The Hollywood ReporterJohn S. Middleton, managing partner and principal owner of the Philadelphia Phillies, plays catch with his grandchildren on the Field of Dreams movie site.Credit: Chris Gardner/The Hollywood ReporterOne of the film’s most iconic lines.Credit: Chris Gardner/The Hollywood ReporterMinnesota Twins emerge from the cornfield to walk out onto the field. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)The Philadelphia Phillies pose for a team picture before the start of the Field of Dreams game.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Fans arrive for the Field of Dreams game while walking on a gravel path after passing through corn rows.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)A general view of the cornfield.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Minnesota Twins players seen before the start of the Field of Dreams game.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Elle Duncan, Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and Anthony Rizzo teamed for Netflix’s broadcast.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)The Minnesota Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies line up on the field for pregame festivities.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Singer Alanna Springsteen performs the National Anthem.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Josh Bell and Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)A general view of the field.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Broadcasters Matt Vasgersian, CC Sabathia and Hunter Pence pose with guest MLB legend Roger Clemons.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)A general view of a cameraman working for Netflix.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)A general view of the atmosphere outside the stadium.Credit: Chris Gardner/The Hollywood ReporterKyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates his first-inning homer during the Field of Dreams game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Minnesota Twins in Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 13, 2026.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Fans watch play.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Members of the military are honored during the Field of Dreams game.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Broadcaster and Hall of Famer CC Sabathia(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)A general view of the atmosphere with a Fanatics merch bus.Credit: Chris Gardner/The Hollywood ReporterLuis Arraez of the Philadelphia Phillies.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies is interviewed by broadcaster Lauren Shehadi.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Broadcaster Anthony Rizzo eats corn during his post-game interview with MVP Kyle Schwarber.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)A general view of the scoreboard showing the final score with the Philadelphia Phillies defeating the Minnesota Twins 7-1 in the Field of Dreams game. On the heels of the game, MLB announced that the 2027 Field of Dreams Game will feature a matchup between the Kansas City Royals and the Boston Red Sox in Dyersville, Iowa, on Aug. 12, 2027.(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Netflix)Best of The Hollywood Reporter- 24 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History
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