Iowa Likely Won’t Be the Site for the 2024 Field of Dreams Game

With an $80 million construction project currently underway at the Field of Dreams, there was no hope of having the annual game in the quaint little town of Dyersville, IA in 2023. However, baseball fans and Iowans alike at least anticipated a contest in 2024. But according to reports, that doesn't look like the plan the MLB has in mind.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the 2024 Field of Dreams Game could be taking place at another destination. Which leads to the burning question... why bother calling it the "Field of Dreams Game" if there will be little-to-no connection to Iowa, cornfields, or the iconic movie site?

Where Will the Game Be Played?:

According to reports, the 2024 Field of Dreams Game will reportedly be a matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants at the Rickwood Field in Birmingham, AL. Now, Rickwood Field does have some substantial history behind it. It is the oldest professional ballpark in the United States, having opened in 1910.

For the Giants, the ballpark carries the weight of history on it too. It was home to the Birmingham Back Barons of the Negro Leagues, which is where the legend Willy Mays made his professional ballplaying debut in 1948. According to SI, it's the only ballpark where Mays played that is still open to this day.

When Will the Game Officially Be Announced?:

More details on the 2024 Field of Dreams Game is expected to be announced this summer. Last year, the Chicago Cubs faced the Cincinnati Reds at the Dyersville movie site. The Cubs beat the Reds 4-2.

I'm not a big baseball fan, admittedly, but the Field of Dreams Game has been appointment viewing for me both in 2021 and 2022. Fox has nailed the production of the game every year. The natural beauty of the ballpark is palpable even on a television set, and I'll never forget the exhilaration of Tim Anderson hitting that walk-off homer which resulted in the Chicago White Sox beating the New York Yankees 9-8 during the first game.

As an Illinois native, the comforting thought at the moment is Chicago is 2-0 in Field of Dreams games. However, the thought of the game moving south for the 2024 contest and still using the name of the Iowa icon doesn't sit well with me.

Read more about the early reports of the 2024 Field of Dreams Game here.