Little Cubs Field- A Wrigley Field story

Are you a baseball fan, especially a Cubs fan? If so, do I have a place for you! On our way home from the Badger Steam and Gas antique tractor show, we saw a sign on a barn for Little Cubs Field. I have been in Freeport many times.

We recently visited the Stephenson County Historical Society Museum. It is a wonderful place where we were in pursuit of John Manny history. But this Little Cubs Field was new!

Freeport is known as “Pretzel City”. The former Billebeck Bakery started in 1850. They produced pretzels to go with local beer. At one time, Freeport had six local breweries. That is how it got the “Pretzel City” nickname. Turns out they have a bit of baseball history as well.

Stopping, we enjoyed this detailed replica of Wrigley Field, home of the 2016 World Series Champions.

Chicago Cubs history goes way back to February 2, 1876. Baseball’s National League formed, and before becoming the Cubs, the team was known as the Chicago White Stockings.

In honor of the original Chicago stadium, Freeport has an honorary street of N. Clark St and W. Addison intersection.

An interview

Dennis Goodman told me about how this unique baseball stop began. ” In 2003, Dennis Garkey came home and told his wife he had this crazy idea.”

The idea was, create a replica of Wrigley Field in his hometown. “He went to the Chicago Cubs with his idea, and they are 100% behind them.”

Dennis was talking to his wife Judy at Rookies Sports Bar near Black Earth Wisconsin. Seeing kids playing in a nearby wiffle ball field he commented, “Too bad this does not look like Wrigley Field”. That’s when the idea began.

“They went to Wrigley Field and took the exact measurements and made it this size,” Dennis said, creating a 1/3 scale of the original stadium. “We are a non-profit organization. We rent the field out for fundraisers.”

The stadium opened in 2008. Keeping a promise made in 2011, after winning the World Series in 2016, the Cubs included the Little Cub Field in their historic 2016 World Trophy Tour.

Local cooperation went into this effort. Dennis Goodman said across from the field, the park pavilion was an Eagle Scout Project created by Alex Marck., completed in 2012.

Details of the Field

At Little Cubs Field they have items originating at Wrigley Field. The ivy on the outfield walls were grown from Wrigley Field ivy clippings.

They use traditional centerfield scoreboard with flags and pennants. There is a hand painted crowd scene mural they are currently fund raising to replace. They have authentic grass field grown in dirt excavated from Wrigley Field renovation along with their own statue of Harry Caray.

There are a couple of original bleachers from Wrigley. They are in a place of honor behind home plate.

There are original bricks that were donated by the Cubs. Dennis Goodman said at Little Cub’s Field the Cubs gave them permission to use the Cub chant, “Hey, hey.”

Fun at the field

Open on Saturdays and Sundays, visitors can hit wiffle balls, local little league plays on the field and events are held here. Dennis Goodman shared a lady recently celebrated a big birthday at the stadium. Weddings have happened here and during the week people stop by to enjoy the beauty of the field.

They even have special events like on Saturday September 5th when Chicago Cub Ben Zorbrist will visit as a fund raiser for his sports mental health nonprofit, Champion Forward.

There is a lot to love at this baseball stop. Even if you are not a huge baseball fan, the enthusiasm for the game and love of the Cubs is contagious. Lots of memorabilia is available inside, and Dennis said there is even a webcam camera on 24/7 that you can watch activities there from the comfort of home.