Field Of Dreams Or Field Of Schemes?

By Samantha Abernethy in News on Nov 26, 2011 9:30PM

The owners of the Lake County Fielders minor league baseball team have filed a lawsuit against the City of Zion and the owner of a would-be stadium site, accusing them of fraud.

The plan was basically, "If you build it, they will come," but the plans to build the stadium for the Field of Dreams-inspired team in Zion fell through. The team's owners -- which include Field of Dreams actor Kevin Costner -- blame the city for falling through on their end of the deal.

The eight-count lawsuit claims the stadium site land owner, Green Bay Crossing, violated the city's lease agreement with the team, and it also names the town's mayor and economic development director as defendants.

demands the city either build the stadium and pay the team $3.7 million, or pay the team $10.7 million plus attorney fees and other damages, court papers show. The Sun-Times writes:

The suit claims, among other things, that (Zion Mayor Lane) Harrison, (Zion Economic Development Director Delaine) Rogers and (developer Richard) Delisle were “personal” friends who “engaged in a series of false material representations” related to building a permanent baseball stadium for the team. Specifically, Harrison, Rogers and Delisle “intended to block construction of the stadium” and prevent the sale of municipal bonds that would have been used to pay for the stadium construction.

The lawsuit says the city must either follow through on the original plans to build the stadium with a $3.7 million settlement, or abandon stadium plans and pay the Fielders' owners $10.7 million plus court fees.

The actual field in Iowa where Field of Dreams was filmed is still in tact and available for dreaming. A couple bought it in October and are planning to turn it into a regional hub for youth baseball and softball.