The Real Field of Dreams
2002 College World Series - family photo with Kevin Costner
“I met Kevin Costner once. Want to see the picture?” I ask, half-joking, every time the College World Series comes up. Locating my 2002 photographic treasure, I show it to those around me with fangirl allure.
Although Kevin Costner is now best recognized for his portrayal of John Dutton in the hit series Yellowstone, he was a baseball player to us in 2002. Portraying the Iowa farmer, Ray, we loved Kevin wooing us from his Field of Dreams. “If you build it, they will come.”
My boys were raised in the neighboring state of Nebraska. Known for its many cornfields, Omaha is also well-known for another field — baseball’s College World Series.
Each year, there was a feeling of excitement as we waited for eight teams to win their way to final play at the CWS. Watching the young men play with heart and passion for the game was pure bliss. For our family, the College World Series was a favorite time of year, one we eagerly anticipated and cherished as a summer tradition.
Others from outside the Midwest are also enamored with the games. They would flock to our city, supporting their favorite team, watching the “best show on dirt.” Those with celebrity status have often filled the stands.
Everyone from U.S. presidents to dignitaries, professional athletes, and actors came to throw a first pitch or quietly catch a game or two. A common celebrity visitor was Kevin Costner. And my husband (at the time), Scott, was his security detail. When not escorting Kevin to games, Scott would take Kevin‘s entourage to outings and dinners.
My celebrity photo was snapped in between events. It was a hot and humid afternoon, and I was shuffling our three young sons from the zoo. Kevin had just gotten off the golf course, fresh-faced and sun-soaked. Scott was able to meet us in the CWS parking lot with Kevin for the ten-second photo op. When introduced, Kevin gave me a courteous nod as his eyes wandered to the entrance to his private box seats.
Leading the boys from the picture-taking production, Zach, our oldest, asked, “Who is Kevin Costner?” As I explained Kevin’s resume to fame to Zach, he quickly lost interest, instead heading toward his favorite section, General Admission.
Later, Zach was thrilled to receive a Rawlings wood baseball bat his dad brought home for him. It was inscribed “Enjoy your own field of dreams,” signed by Kevin Costner. Although the bat was enthusiastically added to a shelf of memorabilia, this didn’t ultimately fall into his list of most cherished CWS memories.
Signed bats, caught foul balls, and celebrity encounters are fun, but they are not the experiences that brought the boys back each year. What has stood the test of time are the memories from nail-biter games featuring remarkable player feats, and afternoons spent with buddies in the bleachers.
CWS is about the love of the game and wins of a lifetime. The fans savor being a part of these moments.
In 2002, Texas played South Carolina for the championship. Scott had the night off from security detail and instead took our two oldest boys, Zach and Ben, to the game. In orange Texas ball caps with baseball gloves in hand, they were excited to watch their favorite team play.
I cheered on Texas from home with our napping two-year-old. After watching the winning run, I was excited to hear about the older boys’ experience from inside the stadium. Little did I know that they enjoyed the win well out of the stands that afternoon.
Scott got to know Texas coach Augie Garrido through his work escorting Kevin Costner during the tournament. Augie had once coached at Cal State Fullerton — Costner’s alma mater and baseball team — and he and Costner had remained close. Over time, Scott built a friendly rapport with both Augie and his wife, Jeannie. That connection would come into play at just the right moment.
Before the championship game kicked off, Jeannie spotted Scott near the stadium. She paused to say hello and was charmed by the two boys in their bright Texas-orange ball caps.
Later, as Scott and his sons cheered the final out of a thrilling Texas win…his phone rang. It was Jeannie.
“Bring the boys. Hurry!”
With smiles from ear to ear and “hook ’em horns” fingers flying, they were swept through security. Jeannie rushed Zach and Ben onto the field as they watched the team dog-pile in celebration. The boys experienced the shouts of joy and euphoria that came with the win. Smack dab in the middle of the media frenzy, they felt like they were part of the team.
As the mayhem died down, the Texas players signed winning baseballs, presenting them to the boys. Zach and Ben stood on the field, the dirt still warm from cleats and chaos, eyes wide as players high-fived and hugged.
While the team posed for media pictures, Zach quietly went to home plate and filled his pocket with dirt. Ben saw what his brother was doing and did the same.
As they later told me their wide-eyed tale of the CWS win on the field, Zach showed me his signed ball and pulled out of his pocket a treasure of field dirt. Smiling with a father’s pride, Scott dug out some square plastic baseball covers from a drawer. The boys filled the display cubes with their signed balls, pouring the dirt on top.
Our sons are now adults. They still have their 2002 baseballs in the original, dirt-filled holders. Zach could probably locate the signed Rawlings bat if asked. But neither has ever requested a copy of their photo with Kevin Costner.
What they remember isn’t meeting a celebrity or taking the photo. It’s that summer afternoon in 2002, watching the jubilation of the winning college players. It’s the moments on the field where the greatest memories are made. And that is what we call bliss.
My ex-husband, Scott, with our sons celebrating Father’s Day 2025 at the College World Series
