‘If you build it, he will come.’ 

These are the famous words whispered to Ray Kinsella at the beginning of the iconic baseball movie, Field of Dreams. Major League Baseball’s 2019 decision to play a regular-season game at the historic setting of the movie renewed awareness of the movie and the iconic line. The immensely successful delivery of the game, which took place in August 2021 between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, provided sport and recreation entrepreneurs with an idea. That idea, coupled with the successful development of youth sports complexes across the country, led to the vision currently under construction in Dyersville, IA. 

Frank Thomas and Rick Heidner formed This is Heaven, LLC and bought the interests in Go the Distance Baseball, the entity that owns and operates the Field of Dreams Movie Site. The following spring, Go the Distance’s plans for an $80 million project featuring fields, housing, and supplementary amenities were unveiled. Additional information about the project is available via KCRG and Iowa’s News Now. 

In anticipation of the completion of the complex and its variety of planned uses, Go the Distance Baseball began adding youth tournaments and exhibition games in summer 2022. To help plan and execute all planned activities, Go the Distance Baseball’s COO, Dan Evans, worked with UISRM Field Experience Director, Anna Jensen, to develop internships that provided students an opportunity to work in event management, outreach and engagement, and revenue generation. 

Then rising Junior, Delaney Banowetz (ex. BS 2025, pictured top right), jumped at the opportunity to be UISRM’s inaugural intern with Go the Distance Baseball. Of her experiences during the summer of 2022, Delaney has this to say: 

My time as an Event and Tournament Operations Intern at the Field of Dreams Movie Site provided me with valuable skills. This internship gave me experience in event management, youth sports, and customer service. I was also provided with a unique opportunity to work the MLB at the Field of Dreams game. My internship was a memorable experience and prompted me to come back for another summer.   

Following her impressive work that summer, leadership with Go the Distance Baseball attended the 2022 UISRM Symposium in September, hoping to bring on more interns in their second year. Go the Distance Baseball’s contributions at the symposium yielded strong results as three more UISRM students, Avery Martensen (ex. BS 2023), Devin Schwarz (ex. BS 2025), and Clayton Kerch (ex. BS 2024, pictured right), worked alongside Delaney throughout this past summer. Of his internship, Clayton has this to say: 

It has been a profitable and enjoyable summer while working at this Iowa icon. My experience with Go the Distance Baseball has offered great insight and experiences with guest services, working as a team, and even introducing me to the concept of groundskeeping. I am excited to apply my new knowledge of these areas to my future in the sports industry and to also see what the future holds for the movie site as it develops its new campus. 

This past summer, the quartet of UISRM students planned and executed events ranging from a naturalization ceremony to youth tournaments to a multi-day baseball experience. The busier summer calendar is part of Go the Distance Baseball’s business plan culminating with completion of the youth sports complex by the end of 2023. In addition to contributing to the events mentioned above, Delaney has grown in her role and knowledge of sport and recreation. Of her responsibilities this past summer, she shares: 

This past summer I worked as a Sports, Events, and Operations Intern for Go the Distance Baseball. This internship has provided me with unique opportunities. I worked on business plans for the development of Go the Distance Baseball's sports complex, as well as for "This is Iowa Ballpark," a permanent ballpark that is planned to be built in hopes to host events year-round. 

Travel Dubuque, which focuses on tourism in the Dubuque and tri-state area, is now managing the Field of Dreams Movie Site as well as the complex and ballpark projects. As the Field of Dreams is a tourist destination, this partnership has also expanded my knowledge of the tourism industry. I have also gained more experience in event management. "Beyond the Game at the Field of Dreams" is an event that took place August 11-13. The event featured a slow pitch softball game between the USA Patriots and the world-famous ghost players, a home run exhibition, autograph sessions from celebrities, as well as a pro-am cornhole tournament. The planning of this event has provided me with great experience in the sport and tourism industry. 

Thank you to Go the Distance Baseball for providing learning experiences in a growing sector of sport and recreation management. While it is unknown when Major League Baseball will return to Dyersville, the construction of the youth sports complex at the Field of Dreams Movie Site and the contributions of UISRM students during peak months means that baseball players and fans of America’s pastime will continue to come for many years.