It's not heaven. It's Iowa.
And after a four-year hiatus due to site renovation, Major League Baseball is returning to the iconic "Field of Dreams" movie site in Dyersville, Iowa.
On Aug. 13, the Phillies and Twins will meet in the third edition of MLB at Field of Dreams, presented by John Deere. There’s a completely refurbished facility with all sorts of new amenities at the ballpark, not to mention two teams very much in the postseason hunt. So while much of the event will feel familiar, there’s also plenty that’s new.
“Being able to come back to Field of Dreams and come back to Dyersville, and certainly come back to Iowa, is something that is really important for the league,” said Jeremiah Yolkut, MLB’s senior vice president of global operations. “To be able to continue to program these special event games at different times of the year, in locations that are not always getting Major League games.”
With a week to go until the iconic event, here are five things that you need to know.
MLB at Field of Dreams, presented by John Deere
• Phillies vs. Twins: Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET on Netflix
• Field of Dreams FAQ
• Set a Netflix reminder
You can watch it on Netflix
The MLB at Field of Dreams Game will be broadcast exclusively on Netflix, with first pitch scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Netflix obtained exclusive rights to the Field of Dreams Game as a part of a new partnership with MLB in the offseason. This will be the third live MLB event streamed on Netflix this season, joining Opening Night and the T-Mobile Home Run Derby.
They’re aware they have a line to walk -- bringing the uniqueness of the special event while also presenting a baseball game between two contending teams.
“For everyone here at Netflix, the Field of Dreams game represents the best of sports,” said Gabe Spitzer, vice president, sports, at Netflix. “It highlights baseball in its purest form. It showcases the love of the game. It’s a communal experience. It’s nostalgia. And we want to deliver credible and entertaining coverage that honors the integrity of the game that can be both globally resonant and locally grounded as well.”
More than 25 HOFers will be in attendance
The Field of Dreams Game is a celebration of everything that makes baseball magical. It's fitting, then, that the pregame ceremony will pay tribute to some of baseball's all-time greats.
More than 25 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame will be a part of Thursday's on-field festivities. It's believed to be the largest gathering of living Hall of Famers at one game since the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.
Among those expected to be in attendance are Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Joe Mauer and Rod Carew.
And maybe, just maybe, one other famous name -- Kevin Costner, the star of the original movie.
“Obviously Kevin is an icon,” said Spitzer. “I don’t want to spoil any of the fun, but he’ll be a part of our broadcast in some way. I can’t say if he’s going to be there or not. But definitely he’ll show up and the movie will feel present in what we’re doing.”
A custom menu includes "Heaven on a Hot Dog"
If you're going to this year's Field of Dreams Game, don't expect typical ballpark food. A specially-curated menu will feature an array of Midwestern flavors and hometown eats from Philadelphia and Minneapolis.
The "Heaven on a Hot Dog" might be a must-try item. It's a signature hot dog with sweet corn relish and corn-bacon jam.
Vintage team unis will pay homage to the past
Both teams will wear uniforms befitting the occasion.
The Phillies' grey jerseys are inspired by road uniforms that the club wore from 1939-1941. There is a red "Phillies" script with a navy blue outline across the chest, along with a retro sleeve path that is a replica of the one the franchise wore in 1939; the patch was a tribute to what was then believed to be baseball's centennial.
Meanwhile, the Twins are set to wear white tops with navy blue pinstripes, an ode to the club's original home uniforms that debuted in 1961. The jerseys also have a sleeve patch of the famous "Minnie and Paul" logo.
There's also a HS All-American game -- with two legends managing
The Phillies-Twins contest isn't the only game at the Field of Dreams site.
The seventh iteration of the MLB High School All-American Game will take place on Aug. 12, with first pitch set for 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT on MLB Network. In a fun twist, two franchise icons will be managing the game. Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who spent parts of four seasons with the Phillies from 2003-05 and 2012, will lead one team; five-time All-Star and longtime Twins standout Torii Hunter will be at the helm of the other team.
Plenty of Major League talent has come through the High School All-American Game over the last few years: Fourteen active MLB players have played in the game.
There's also the MiLB at Field of Dreams Game on Aug. 11 between the St. Paul Saints (Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate) and the Iowa Cubs (Chicago's Triple-A affiliate). FIrst pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on MLB Network.