Barrington man builds wiffle ball field in his backyard

Barrington's Red Barn Road might as well have been the corner of Clark and Addison on Thursday.

There was the perfectly manicured green grass, the crack of the bat, hotdogs, even Harry Caray singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" -- on tape, of course.

Michael Goodman, a father of four sons, held his own Opening Day of sorts to unveil the Wiffle ball field he's built in his backyard.

Goodman, who owns a landscaping company, got inspired to build the field because, he explained, so many kids love the game but often have the same complaint: "You always wanted a real field to play on," he said.

More Coverage Video Barrington wiffle ball field

With that in mind, Goodman built his own miniature field of dreams, complete with 30-foot base paths, a pitcher's mound, bases and scoreboard.

"The idea is to try and get all the kids to play here," he said. "Hopefully, everyone will be playing here all the time and we will know where they are."

More than 30 kids turned out for Thursday's first annual Fox Point Wiffle Ball Tournament.

"I have never seen a baseball field in someone's backyard," said 7-year-old Alex Yacono. "It's pretty cool."

Six-year-old Matthew Halerpin came all the way from Lindenhurst to play and said he loved the field.

"I like that it's not too big and it's not too small," he said. "It's the perfect size."

The kids weren't the only ones marveling at the Wiffle ball field.

Alex's father, Dan Yacono, thinks the field is a perfect way to get the kids playing outside more.

"I think (Goodman) really came up with a great idea," Yacono said.

Goodman's 10-year-old son Keaton said he likes the new source of backyard entertainment.

"There is not going to be as much swimming this summer," he said.

So far, Michael Goodman said he's been really happy with how well received the miniature diamond has been.

"Everybody loves it," he said. "It is a great part of Americana."