“People will come, Ray,” actor James Earl Jones says within the 1989 movie Field of Dreams. “People will most definitely come.”And they are coming, by the thousands. Dyersville, Iowa, a town of just over 4,000 people, could see its population quite triple on Thursday when the long-anticipated MLB Field of Dreams game between the Chicago White Sox and therefore the NY Yankees is finally played. The classic Field of Dreams movie was shot within the village over 30 years ago, and now a fresh field and eight, the 000-seat stadium is constructed right next to the film site in preparation for the sport.
Dyersville’s claim to fame means the tiny town has long been a tourist attraction. However, consistent with Mayor James Heavens, this game could also be its biggest tourist boom so far, although officials are unsure of just what percentage of people to organize for. “We do not know quite what to expect,” Heavens told NPR. “We’re getting to have twice as many of us just within the stands as [those who] sleep in town.” Additionally, once you count staff, MLB support, and news people “you could easily think that there might be 9,000 to 10,000 people in town, but we’ve never skilled it before,” he said.
The historic game was originally scheduled for last year but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The view from inside the stadium hasn’t yet been released to the general public. Not until Thursday, when thousands of lucky viewers will enter for the primary time into the fresh stadium. the sport also will be broadcast nationally on Fox, starting at 7:15 p.m. ET. “This is as big because it gets,” said Roman Weinberg, director of operations for Go the space, the organization that owns and operates the movie site. “Especially in baseball, there is no bigger platform than big-league Baseball. once you get someone of that … caliber shining the spotlight on your location, all you’ll do is tip your cap, smile and say, ‘Thank you considerably,
‘ ” he told the Des Moines Register. to organize, volunteers have spent the week fixing for the official watch party within the town square and restaurants have shipped in extra food. Vendor tents have popped up. Extra security has been brought in and existing security amped up. The town’s three hotels were all quickly booked, meaning surrounding cities also are carrying a load of housing tourists for the week. “Everyone has their lawn mowed and their flag out, and that we fixed all the potholes in town, just trying to place our greatest foot forward,” Heavens said. “It’s showtime and that I think we’re able to go.”
