‘Dream’ becomes reality for Cedar Rapids Kernels

During one road trip to Wisconsin each season prior to the pandemic, Minor League Baseball’s Cedar Rapids Kernels annually made a pit stop in Dyersville.  The visits allowed the Midwest League team to enjoy the same simple “game of catch” inspired by one the sport’s most-beloved movies – and on the site of that famed […]

During one road trip to Wisconsin each season prior to the pandemic, Minor League Baseball’s Cedar Rapids Kernels annually made a pit stop in Dyersville.  The visits allowed the Midwest League team to enjoy the same simple “game of catch” inspired by one the sport’s most-beloved movies – and on the site of that famed film, “Field of Dreams.”  For this summer’s long-awaited sequel, the players get to dream even bigger, with the timeless tradition receiving the Hollywood treatment. The Kernels have been cast opposite their long-time regional rivals, the Quad Cities River Bandits, to meet in the first Minor League game played as part of Major League Baseball’s Field of Dreams celebration.

The Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are playing Aug. 11 in this year’s nationally televised Major League Baseball encore to last year’s inaugural game dedicated to the film. The Kernels and Bandits are the opening act Aug. 9 at the “Field of Dreams” stadium erected alongside the movie set by MLB to host last year’s game.  “People saw how special that was last year,” Kernels General Manager Scott Wilson said. “What an honor now to be part of the first minor league game at that iconic venue. The fact we’re both from Eastern Iowa – and we both have 120-plus years of (professional) baseball history in our communities – makes it even more special.” Mr. Wilson credits QC owner Dave Heller for coming up with the idea and including the Kernels, who were already set to open a six-game series Aug. 9 at Davenport’s Modern Woodmen Park.  Now, that series opener has been moved north to Dyersville and under the purview of Major League Baseball, which has yet to release ticket information. Bandits General Manager Joe Kubly said Mr. Heller first began seeking a Minor League game in association with last year’s Field of Dreams celebration. However, the COVID-19 pandemic cast that game in doubt – especially after the Minor League season was canceled in 2020 and delayed by a month, starting in 2021. The MLB season also was abbreviated in 2020. “The players were super excited when it was announced,” Mr. Wilson said. “The unfortunate aspect for them is a tossup – do they want to be promoted to Double-A before August or do they want to be here playing in that game?” Mr. Wilson said Kernels fans have been thrilled as well, with many more likely to land a ticket to the Aug. 9 game than the Cubs-Reds clash two days later. “Baseball is all about building memories and here’s another neat thing to share with your family,” Mr. Wilson said. “This is a chance to visit the museum and other (attractions) and the movie site before enjoying our game that night.” Mr. Wilson said he see this year’s two games easily extended into a three-day or weeklong event. “If you do a Minor League game on Tuesday, maybe there is something else for fans on Wednesday to stick around for the Major League game on Thursday – and then that weekend there are even more possibilities,” Mr. Wilson said. “Considering the excitement the announcement generated, just imagine when the next piece of this comes out. Whether that’s what else is happening, or if that’s (fan) merchandise or the uniforms the teams will wear – any of those things, it’s going to just build to that August event.” Among the few details shared so far with the Minor League teams and the public, the clubs will wear throwback jerseys honoring their past – same as last year and this year for the Major League teams involved in the festivities. The visiting Kernels will transform into the Cedar Rapids Bunnies – their name from 1904-32 – while the hosting Bandits become the Davenport Blue Sox (a name used from 1913-16, 1929-33 and 1934-37). “I love the throwback aspect because it perfectly ties into the movie and field, which romanticizes baseball and honors the game’s history,” Mr. Wilson said. “We did a throwback jersey some years ago for the Bunnies – any retro logo here always seems to be super exciting for people. There’s a lot of old reference to Bunnies — or ‘Cedar Rabbits’ was the way that the people would say ‘Cedar Rapids’ – so there are sweatshirts and clothing that was out during the time that say ‘Cedar Rabbits.’ So I can’t wait to see what some of the merchandise looks like that MLB comes out with.” Despite being a Thursday night affair, the 2021 game between the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox attracted 5.9 million viewers – the most-watched regular-season baseball game on the FOX TV network in 16 years. “If this is entertaining enough and draws well enough, you never know where this might lead to,” Mr. Wilson said of 2022’s Minor League addition. “I’d certainly welcome being part of the festivities each year.”