USA Baseball

Aside from the Naval Base, one of Millington’s biggest landmarks was, and still is today, the USA Baseball Stadium. There is probably not a person in Millington who grew up here during the mid-80’s and forward who did not attend at least one game. If they didn't get to see any, then they have missed a piece of history that was literally right on their door step. One of Babe Howard's many visions for this town was baseball, and so the opportunity presented itself.

Millington was fortunate enough to be the training site for the USA Olympic baseball team from 1985-1996. This gave us baseball fanatics the opportunity to watch world renown amateur teams such as Cuba and Japan, as well as multiple countries from across the globe, settle in on our little town for short time. This was a treat that few can say they have seen. It was an ultimate dream for foreign players to play on American turf as well, not only because of our history with the game, but also the freedoms we cherish as Americans. I remember in 1991 one of Cuba’s players actually tried to defect because his dream of playing in the US was becoming a reality.

As a kid, attending these games was more than just a sporting event; it was a major gathering place for all other kids my age. Our little ears would be fixed on the sound of the crack of a bat and our personal gloves stretched high to catch fly balls. As I got older and my passion for the game increased, I spent less time chasing fly-balls and more time watching the future greats of this nation such as Alex Rodriguez and many others.

Today I am proud to say the USA Baseball Stadium is still hosting games and year- round events, thanks to the newly formed Millington Sports Authority. The Sports Authority has kept to Babe Howard’s original vision of not only keeping baseball alive in Millington, but to also make the complex as a whole a family-friendly atmosphere, hosting events like Goat Days and the most recent American Legion Fair.

Every time I hear the following Terrance Mann speech from Field of Dreams, I am reminded of Millington, Babe Howard’s vision, and the impact Millington baseball made on my life.

Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come….



-Steve Childress