Field of Dreams Will Also Host an MiLB Game

Last year, the Field of Dreams site in Dyersville, Iowa, hosted an MLB game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox. This year, the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds will face each other on August 11. But a prelude will be played on August 9, when two Minor League teams will face each other.

It is a bit of old news since it has been announced last week. But yours truly missed it completely. Nevertheless, it is such a nice event, I had to write about it.

The two teams that will face each other in a regular MiLB game are the Quad Cities River Bandits and the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Since both teams are located in Iowa, the location is very appropriate.

The Quad Cities River Bandits will adopt the moniker of their predecessor Davenport Blue Sox which was their name from 1913-1916, 1929-1933, and again from 1934-1937. The Kernels will become the Cedar Rapids Bunnies, their name from 1904 to 1932. 

The game between the River Bandits and the Kernels “is a marquee matchup of minor league teams that have been rivals in the Midwest League for years. The River Bandits are the High-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Kernels are the High-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The two teams, who are located in eastern Iowa, will become the first two minor league teams to play on the field,” according to the Des Moines Register.

According to Kernels GM Scott Wilson, this MiLB game on Tuesday night will give Field of Dreams an opportunity to do some things on Wednesday as well, just between the MiLB game and the MLB game on Thursday night.

Since the River Bandits and the Kernels adopt the moniker of their predecessors, they will also wear some “throwback” uniforms, just like the White Sox and the Yankees did last year.

According to the Des Moines Register, River Bandits owner Dave Heller lobbied to have his ball club to play in the iconic game. “I’m just thrilled,” Heller said. “I’m over the moon excited about it. I just think it’s great for our fans. I think it’s great for eastern Iowa. I think it’s great for the people of the Quad Cities. I think it’s great for Minor League Baseball. I think it’s wonderful.”  “This is just a unique one-of-a-kind opportunity for our players and coaches and our staff and our fans,” Heller said. 

Ticket information for the game will be announced at a later date. But the minor le game could be a huge draw as well. Wilson said the team’s phones began ringing as soon as the announcement was made. Heller expects the game to provide unbelievable exposure for the club and the players.