“Service is wretched here. They forget items in your order and then act like its the world’s biggest inconvenience to correct it. Apparently this place is run by a bunch of rude teenagers.”
Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis, City of Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen and New Jersey Assemblyman Bill Spearman (D-5) were among those who marked the historic day under “pitcher-perfect” skies with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. More than 200 people from the Rutgers–Camden and Camden communities gathered for the event.
“Rutgers is proud to be a partner in helping to launch this county-owned and -operated facility,” said Chancellor Tillis. “These playing fields will provide a home base for our NCAA and club sports. This complex also will provide the families of Camden and Camden County with opportunities to exercise, play, and build healthy communities.”A field of dreams five years in the making came to fruition today as the Camden Athletic Complex, located at Delaware Avenue and Penn Street on the Camden waterfront, was officially opened.
“I am excited to know that community teams will play on the same fields and run on the same track as our Scarlet Raptors,” said Chancellor Tillis. “Everybody wins.”Rutgers is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to direct suggestions, comments, or complaints concerning any accessibility issues with Rutgers websites to [email protected] or complete the Report Accessibility Barrier / Provide Feedback form.
Jeff Dean, director of athletics and recreation services at Rutgers–Camden, noted what a tremendous asset the sports complex will be to the future of the university’s teams. “Track and field has never had a home at Rutgers–Camden during my time here and baseball has played on the road the last several years,” he said. “It is a fantastic development for these teams as well as our other sports to have the opportunity to practice and play on campus.”
In 2017, the Rutgers University Board of Governors approved the investment of $7.5 million in the redevelopment of the complex, located on the site of the former Campbell’s Field in Camden. The multi-purpose athletic facility include fields for baseball, lacrosse, and track and field to be utilized by Rutgers University–Camden’s NCAA Division III and club teams as well as by the larger Camden community. Camden County owns the property and will manage operations of the complex.City of Basehor residents may qualify for a rebate equivalent to 50% of the total registration fee paid for youth sports. Additionally, each Basehor City Limit household is entitled to two Field of Dreams Admission Passes which do not expire. Youth sports registration is not required for free admission passes. If the admission passes are lost they will be $2 per pass to replace. Receipt of payment and residency will be verified before refunds are issued. To obtain a rebate and/or admission passes please complete the Rebate Form. Rebates will be mailed in the form of a check after the season begins. If you have any further questions, please email Shauna Hernandez at City Hall.
In order to qualify, you must reside within the city limits of Basehor and must be current on your utility bill. Completed forms can be returned to the City in three convenient ways:
The cornerstone of the Field of Dreams Athletic Complex is Field of Dreams Football Stadium, where four local high schools play their home games. The sparkling venue opened in 2000; artificial turf was installed in 2014. Football games are played inside the stadium, of course, though in May of 2019 the Gus Macker 3on3 Basketball Tournament took place in the venue’s main parking lot. Still, the Field of Dreams Complex is bigger than just football and three-on-three hoops: the Softball Complex houses four diamonds, while the Baseball Complex offers an additional three. Both facilities have hosted state tournaments and large invitationals in the past. Finally, the Field of Dreams Soccer Complex is a soccer mecca with more than a dozen fields and ample parking. In short, Field of Dreams is the type of complex that turns dreams into reality.RELATED STORIES: In the end, all the world’s an Iowa movie set; Building the ultimate Field of Dreams; Field of Dreams ballpark takes shape in Iowa; Field of Dreams ticket lottery limited to Iowa residents; New date set for 2021 Field of Dreams game; With game postponed, Field of Dreams lies fallow; 2020 Field of Dreams game canceled; Field of Dreams game still tentatively on, with White Sox facing Cards; Field of Dreams construction work continues
The plan, as unveiled by Go the Distance Baseball, LLC, yesterday, isn’t exactly new–the late Denise Stillman and partners had sought investors for such a development before she passed away–but the exact scope of the project is new and beyond Stillman’s original vision.This development hops on a big trend: sports tourism facilities. It’s a trend we’ve been watching closely; we may have a surprise or two on this topic in the near future.“I am grateful for all that the game of baseball gave me throughout my career, and now I am proud and excited to lead a team that is building opportunities for players, fans, and families to enjoy our national pastime and for teams to train and compete,” Thomas said in a press release.The original 190-acre farm will be the base of the development, augmented by addition of almost 100 more acres to the west. The first phase of the project, which will installed largely on the new land, will include nine new diamonds, a youth player dorm and a new hotel. It’s currently scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023. The existing movie site will remain intact, while the base of the temporary ballpark built for the 2021 Field of Dreams Yankees/White Sox event, will be expanded into a permanent facility.
There are some familiar names associated with the project, including Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, CEO of Go the Distance Baseball, and industry veteran Dan Evans, the group’s chief operating officer. Evans, former general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, had previously served as a consultant to Go the Distance Baseball.We have a major sports tourism project in the works, as the iconic Field of Dreams site in Dyersville, IA is set for an $80-million multi-phase development adding more fields and amenities to the movie location. Additional phases, set to be completed in 2025, will include a concert amphitheater, an RV park, 100,00-square-foot FieldHouse and a park geared toward adults and children with disabilities. Enter your email address to subscribe to Ballpark Digest and receive notifications of new posts by email immediately when a new story is posted. This is not a replacement for the newsletter, but rather a real-time notification system!Baseball / Softball FieldBenchesFacilities, Fields, and CourtsOutdoor Event SpaceParks and Recreation DirectoryParks, Open Space and Historic SitesSoccer FieldSport Field Available for Rent or Reservation
Description: Field of Dreams is a sport and recreational complex located in the heart of Sonoma Valley. Featuring athletic facilities for baseball, softball, soccer, football, and lacrosse. In addition, open space for outdoor events, fitness groups, sports camps, and more.
According to the press release provided to the Register, future MLB games are being discussed, along with a permanent stadium to host the games at the complex. The stadium could also host high school and college tournaments and championships for men’s and women’s sports.”I am grateful for all that the game of baseball gave me throughout my career,” Hall of Famer and Go the Distance CEO Frank Thomas said in a statement provided to the Des Moines Register, “and now I am proud and excited to lead a team that is building opportunities for players, fans and families to enjoy our national pastime and for teams to train and compete.”
