Second Annual National Wanna Have A Catch Day: Living Donor Awareness Softball Tournament

The climactic scene from the iconic baseball film released in 1989, Field of Dreams, oftentimes brings women and men of all ages to tears when Ray Kinsella, played by Kevin Costner, utters the famous line:  “Hey, Dad, you wanna have a catch?”   

Since its release, the movie and its memorable lines have carved a space in the lore of Americana such that the National Day Calendar declared the second Saturday in May as Wanna Have A Catch Day.

In the inaugural game held in 2025, Team Iowa outscored Team Wisconsin 7-1 to win the coveted Shoeless Joe Jackson trophy with a roaring audience in attendance.

This year, on Saturday, May 9, 2026, the Living Liver Foundation, Transplant Life Foundation and Iowa Donor Network will host four teams participating in the Living Donor Awareness Charity Softball Tournament at the Field of Dreams movie site. The competing teams are: Team Iowa, Team MO-KAN, Team Rocky Mountain and Team Wisconsin.

The idea to pursue the national day designation and hold this event came from Dave Galbenski, a living donor liver transplant recipient and member of Team Michigan. Dave has had a life-long passion for baseball and unmatched enthusiasm for the Field of Dreams movie.

“There is no greater visual metaphor for living organ donation than having a catch”, said Galbenski.  He further noted, “The living organ donor throwing the ball to their recipient dispels the myth that organs from deceased donors are the only way to save the life of a person in need.  It highlights that both donors and recipients return to active lives and brings joy and delight to those witnessing and participating in the catch.” 

The original Field of Dreams diamond has been reserved for exclusive access from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm.  From 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, event attendees can have a catch with their donor, recipient or loved ones, mix, mingle and take photos with a few “ghost” players dressed in era uniforms and soak in the nostalgia of the movie site.   The semi-final games will be 90 minutes in length and will start at 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm. The championship game will begin at 5:00 pm.

At all games, there will be pre-game festivities with living donor and donor family recognition, ceremonial first pitches, game ball delivery, national anthem and more. In addition, between games, there will be informal educational sessions for attendees to learn more about the power and possibilities of organ donation.  

Tickets are $40 each for tournament participants and attendees. Children 13 years old and under attend FREE. 

We can't wait to celebrate the Second Annual National Wanna Have A Catch Day with you on May 9, 2026. Let's help make the event go viral by posting a video or photo of it on social media with the special hash tag: #haveacatchday.