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Barrington's Own "Field of Dreams"

Baseball has always been a popular sport in America and is played by a variety of age groups all over the country. As most people know, “little league” is one of the most popular forms the sport takes with younger children. Barrington’s little league was formed in 1948 and organized into the Barrington Little League, Inc. in 1953. Ray "the Barber" Tourville was one of the league’s early presidents, and the Barrington Youth Baseball and Softball (BYB&S) Founders’ Award is named after him.

With the number of children increasing in the Barrington community, league-size limitations kept many children from playing, which became more and more of a problem. Initially, two leagues were set up so that more could play — the American and the National. As this growth continued however, it was becoming increasingly difficult for the park district to accommodate all the younger children in the community, and the high school also needed to have space for their baseball and softball games.

In late 1987, board members and others involved with Barrington Youth Baseball and Softball began exploring an idea to build a ‘Field of Dreams’ Park. In 1988, through much legwork, fundraising efforts and generous donations by individuals and businesses, BYB&S was able to enter into a 30-year lease agreement with Barrington High School and School District 220, which owned the land to build on. BYB&S would build the park, sharing it with Barrington High School, and construct not just one—but four fields on the property. The name of the project then changed to “Fields of Dreams” to reflect the multiple spaces that were to be built.

Long-time Deer Park resident Bob Jensen was the project chairman for “Fields of Dreams” and helped assist with everything from fundraising to construction. At the time Jensen was serving on the little league board, and he reflects, “We had a good committee and it was a total community effort to get this project completed.”

Although planning, fundraising and construction took some time, Barrington’s Fields of Dreams Park area opened in May 1991 with help from architects who actually built the movie version in Dyersville, Iowa. The concession stand opened the following year, 1992. Hence, one can borrow not exactly (but close enough) from the popular line, if you build it — the kids will come. Bob Jensen points out that the fields really serve to pull community members together into a central location and refers to the area as “a gem for the community.”

The Fields of Dreams Park is a state-of-the-art facility, with over 2,000 very happy boys and girls playing over 1,200 games a year. Fields are shared with the high school’s girls softball team, which uses it during the school year and for tournaments, and Bob Jensen notes that the fields have enhanced both the young ladies’ program and the little league organization. The designated space provides Barrington youth the opportunity to play baseball and softball, learn competitive skills and still have a lot of fun. Children acquire a love of the game to take with them throughout their lives and share with their children. “It is a huge success today,” said Dick Culver, past BYB&S President and Founders’ Award recipient. “Over 2000 kids — boys and girls — all are able to PLAY BALL!”