MLB commissioner announces Hall of Fame tour stops
DYERSVILLE, Iowa (AP) - Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred traveled to the "Field of Dreams" movie site in eastern Iowa on Thursday to announce this year's National Baseball Hall of Fame tour stops in six cities.
Manfred was joined by 2015 Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz in Dyersville to announce that Davenport, Iowa; Kansas City, Missouri; Milwaukee; St. Louis; Minneapolis; and Las Vegas will be host cities for this year's "We Are Baseball" tour stops.
Hundreds came to hear the announcement at the site of the 1989 movie. Manfred told attendees that the league wants to bring baseball's history to its fans because not everyone can make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
"We wanted to bring the Hall of Fame to the fans, and what better place to do that than in the Midwest," he said.
The interactive displays will include an IMAX experience, virtual-reality exhibits and custom-made Hall of Fame artifacts. The interactive elements are meant to appeal to younger fans.
"Part of our responsibility is to introduce and prepare a new generation of fans to enjoy a great game," Manfred said.
The tour will begin July 3-10 at Davenport's baseball stadium.
"It says a lot about Davenport and the Quad-Cities for baseball to choose our community as the starting point for a tremendous exhibit," Davenport Mayor Frank Klipsch said. "What a great day for Davenport."