Dyersville ‘Ghost Player’ to Feature on Iowa PBS’s Iowa Life

If you’ve ever visited the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville, Iowa, you might have seen a familiar face wandering the diamond; sometimes appearing out of nowhere, almost like a ghost from the baseball past. That’s Russ Bolibaugh, the man in charge of keeping this iconic field in tip-top shape, and he’s about to step into the spotlight himself on Iowa PBS’s Iowa Life.

The episode featuring Bolibaugh premieres Tuesday, November 4th at 6:30 PM, with a rebroadcast on Sunday, November 9th at 10:30 AM. Fans of the series will get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to maintain the beloved Field of Dreams, from the perfectly manicured grass to the magic that keeps visitors coming back. And yes, Bolibaugh also occasionally plays as one of the “ghost” players, bringing a bit of the movie’s original charm to life.

But Bolibaugh’s talents don’t stop at baseball. He’s an accomplished local bowler, having rolled his seventh perfect game in 2023. Additinally, he even takes time to coach in the local Dyersville baseball league. In addition to Bolibaugh, this episode features Simpson College professor Jamie Poulsen and the Oakridge Neighborhood driver’s education program.

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Hosted by Charity Nebbe, Iowa Life celebrates the people, places, and stories that make Iowa special. The series has recently been recognized with two Regional Emmy Awards, including one for its Magazine Program category. Catch Russ's episode on Iowa PBS or stream it online, and get ready to meet the man behind Iowa’s, scratch that, the nation's most magical baseball field.