MiLB Field of Dreams game FAQ
It's not heaven, but for baseball fans, it's close.
Following the success of last year's inaugural MLB at Field of Dreams game featuring the Yankees and White Sox, a pair of Minor League clubs got their chance to play in the cornfields of Dyersville, Iowa.
While the Cubs and Reds prepare to wade their way through the cornstalks on Aug. 11, a couple High-A Midwest League clubs took the field first. The Quad Cities River Bandits, a Royals affiliate, played host to the Cedar Rapids Kernels (Twins).
MLB Network's Harold Reynolds, who called the game along with John Morosi and Greg Amsinger, had been looking forward to the event.
"This is a real exciting time … any time you get a chance to showcase the different things we do in our sport, this stands up there as a shining light," Reynolds said. "This year we’re taking it another step further by bringing a Minor League game in there. I played in Quad Cities and I played in Cedar Rapids [as a Minor Leaguer], so it’s pretty cool for me to get a chance to call their game."
Last year's showcase between the Yankees and White Sox turned into one of the classic regular season-games of 2021. Played in front of a capacity crowd of nearly 8,000 fans, the teams staged a back-and-forth affair that ended on a walk-off home run by Chicago's Tim Anderson in the ninth.
It was the first Major League game played in Iowa, right next door to the iconic field where Kevin Costner, Ray Liotta and James Earl Jones brought Field of Dreams to life on the silver screen in 1989.
The stars of tomorrow got their chance on the heavenly field.
"I recognize a lot of guys from the Drafts and prospect shows that we’ve done," Reynolds said. "There’s quite a collection of talent on both sides. I look forward to it being a great game."
Here's a quick primer on this year's MiLB at Field of Dreams Game:
Who's playing?
Two Midwest League staples and Iowa-based clubs are squaring off ... but with a twist. Like last year with the Yankees and White Sox donning 1919-era uniforms, the River Bandits and Kernels will change their identities for the game.
Cedar Rapids Kernels
The Kernels morphed into the Cedar Rapids Bunnies, the club's identity from 1904-1932. Cedar Rapids has been affiliated with Minnesota since 2013 and has been home to a host of current big leaguers, including Royce Lewis and All-Star Byron Buxton. Several of Minnesota's Top 30 prospects are on the roster, including Alerick Soularie (No. 18), David Festa (No. 25) and Sean Mooney (No. 26).
Quad Cities River Bandits
Competing as the home team, the Royals affiliate will become the Davenport Blue Sox, the franchise's name during various seasons from 1913-1937. In the midst of its second season with Kansas City, Quad City features Top 30 prospects Beck Way (No. 12), Peyton Wilson (No. 14) and Luca Tresh (No. 26).
Where is the game?
The Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa