Field of Dreams sale has stirred emotions

DYERSVILLE -- The field looks the same. So does the white house with the wrap-around porch and swing. The surrounding cornfields continue to sway with the ever-present Iowa breeze.

You still can play catch, take photos and buy souvenirs. What's different these days is the letter and flyer on the wall by that souvenir stand.

The Field of Dreams is for sale as those two documents explain. Many among the millions who have visited the site the last two decades are concerned that the potential buyer will follow the advice of the bankers in the classic 1989 film: get rid of the baseball field and plant rows of corn.

They want to plea “say it ain't so” to owners Don and Becky Lansing the same way a youth once asked Shoeless Joe Jackson about his guilt during the Black Sox scandal.

Since putting the property on the market in May, the Lansings have been taken aback by the response.

“Reaction has come from all four corners of the world. People certainly are worried about the future of the farm,” Becky said. “It has been a phenomenal experience these past three months. In many ways, it has taught us a lot about who we are and what we've done. But the majority of questions, comments, concerns have been about the future of the field.”

While Becky spoke last Friday on a sun-drenched morning, cars from a half-dozen states lined the parking lot and people were all over the place. A father was hitting fly balls and grounders to his two sons. Another family was walking in and out of the corn fields in the outfield. Others were posing for photos or signing the guest book.

If you think the Lansings are not concerned about the future of what is arguably Iowa's most famous landmark, you're wrong. Still, once the sale of the two-bedroom house, six outbuildings and 193-acre property closes … que sera sera.

“People want to make sure that the field remains intact in some capacity,” she said. “And, we want to reassure everyone that we are doing everything in our power to make sure the field is passed along to the right buyer.”

Becky said there are no stipulations to the purchase.

“However,” she added, “we want to assure the world that Donnie and I are extremely diligent in our vetting process of those individuals who have shown some interest. I think it's really important to say that. I also have to be careful in that we have to remember that once the field is sold, there's nothing that we can do. We are doing due diligence in making sure the farm and the field are here for generations.”

 That begs the question: Who has inquired about the property and its reported $5.4 million price tag?

According to Becky, 7 to 10 separate parties have asked the right questions to go on the list of potential serious buyers. There even have been face-to-face meetings, but no physical contract offers.

Some people have wondered if the state should purchase the property and turn it into a state park and recreation area. Others have mentioned the star of the film, Kevin Costner, and hope he will take a swing.

The Lansings reached out to Mr. Costner, as Becky calls the actor, through a courtesy letter to his attorney and publicity people.

“We did not get a response,” she said.

Asked if they have any regrets about putting out the For Sale sign, Becky shakes her head sideways.

“The reason we have no regrets is that we see the field needs to come up a level,” she said. “Donnie and I believe in slow-managed growth and we are now at a point in our lives that after our 21 years and my husband's many years on this farm, it's time for someone to grow the field in another capacity.”

Despite the desire to retire, Becky wanted to point out that this is no fire sale.

“This process could take two years. There is no timetable,” she said. “Donnie and I know in our hearts and our soul that the right party to purchase the field and continue the legacy will appear one day.”

Still, Friday's visitors knew about the iffy future. Several wondered if a new owner would do more with the property, such as adding a baseball museum, hotel or campground and start charging a nominal admission fee. Becky said they will draw a record 65,000 visitors this year because “we're in the news a lot.”

One of those stopping by last week was Jeff Pulver, a New York native and the founder of Vonage. Pulver, an Internet entrepreneur who was touring the Midwest on his #140 Conference Road Trip 2010, said he might be interested in making an offer for the Field of Dreams if his Twitter stock keeps rising.

“I believe in following our dreams and this place is an inspiration,” Pulver said.

 As someone who has played catch with his dad on the field and watched my two young daughters run the bases, I agree. Here's hoping the Lansings sell to someone who has their hearts in the same place as Don and Becky.

“We still love every minute of it. Are we going to be sad to see it go? You bet,” Becky said. “But there's resolve in the faith of what is yet to come … for this property, our family, our lives.”