Biotech seed brand DEKALB — Bayer’s national flagship for corn, soybeans, and canola — will be the Official Corn Seed of MLB at Field of Dreams presented by GEICO. On Thursday, Aug. 11, the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs will take the field next to the legendary filming site of the Field of Dreams movie in Dyersville, Iowa, surrounded by none other than DEKALB corn.
The filming site of the iconic 1989 baseball movie, starring Kevin Costner, continues to make dreams come true. Rahe Farms of Dyersville has farmed the Field of Dreams filming site for several years and has long grown DEKALB corn seed here, one of the most famous fields in the world.
“The Field of Dreams filming site is truly one of the most special places on earth, and we are honored to be able to farm it and grow DEKALB corn there,” said Andy Rahe of Rahe Farms. “Just like in the movie, the cornfield is our heaven – it’s where our dreams come true as farmers, and where legendary performance lives and new goals are reached for our generational family farm. To be involved, and to smell the ballpark, dirt and corn growing, makes you feel like a child again. There’s no other place like it, and we are happy to be able to share the experience.”
Field of Dreams — starring Ray Liotta, James Earl Jones, and Amy Madigan, in addition to Costner — was nominated for Best Picture in 1990. Adapted from W. P. Kinsella’s 1982 novel, Shoeless Joe, the 1989 film tells the story of Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, a husband and father who is tending to his cornfield when he hears a mysterious voice intone, “If you build it, he will come.” Following his vision, Kinsella builds a baseball diamond in his field and is visited by ghosts of baseball legends. Ultimately, the attraction of baseball allows him to save the family farm.
This week’s game marks the second installment of the special event, following the first-ever Major League Baseball game played in Iowa last summer. MLB constructed an 8,000-seat ballpark next to the Dyersville movie filming site. A pathway through a cornfield takes fans to the ballpark, which will overlook the famous movie location.
Last year’s game was played between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees
“We are honored to be the Official Corn Seed of MLB at Field of Dreams,” said DEKALB Brand Manager Jamie Horton. “With the DEKALB corn brand’s deep legacy of providing performance to farmers, it only makes sense that these two American classics – baseball and the famous winged ear of corn — come together. We’re excited to partner with MLB to bring this iconic game to life and help make dreams come true, not only at baseball heaven, but also for farmers everywhere. We believe winning has roots no matter what field you’re on, and a legacy of legendary performance comes from generations of meeting challenges head-on with persistence, passion and team support.”
