All Tony Dettore needed was for actor James Earl Jones to say the famous movie line, ‘If you build it, they will come.?
While Dettore may not have played baseball with Hall of Fame players like Kevin Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, did in the movie ‘Field of Dreams,? he did have a chance to meet several players familiar to Tigers fans.
Dettore, 40, a Brandon Township resident, was one of 30 campers at the Detroit Tigers? ‘Field of Dreams? Weekend camp July 29-31 at Comerica Park. While at the camp, Dettore met former Tigers players Jason Thompson, Dan Petry, Dave Rozema and Gates Brown.
He noticed when he first walked into the visitors? locker room at Comerica Park that it would be a unique experience.
‘All the uniforms were hanging up with our names and numbers on them, just like a regular locker room,? he said. ‘It’s pretty much a fantasy, as they say.?
The camp attracted people of all ages. Dettore said the youngest camp participant was 26 years old, while the oldest was 77.
Campers paid $1,200 for the three-day camp, according to the Tigers? Web site.
On his first day at the camp Friday, July 29, Dettore, an area supervisor for Hungry Howie’s who works out of their Madison Heights headquarters, took batting practice from Rozema, a former Tigers pitcher. He then played a game that night with his fellow campers under the lights, which he described as his favorite camp experience.
‘A lot of dreams came true for a lot of people with that game? he said. ‘Dave Rozema was one of my coaches, and having one of those guys throw me batting practice was great.?
Altogether, the campers played a total of seven games during the three-day weekend. Dettore said he played third base, second base, center field and right field during those games.
In addition, Dettore enjoyed the chance to talk with the former Tigers about their most memorable experiences in baseball. Rozema and Petry were members of the 1984 World Series champion team, while Brown was a member of the 1968 World Series champion Tigers.
Dettore also noted that Alan Lee, a reporter for FOX 2 News (WJBK-TV in Detroit) was on hand to cover the camp. Dettore said he thinks the segment may air Friday, Aug. 11 or Sunday, Aug. 13, but is not sure of the exact time.
While Dettore said the camp was enjoyable, he also said ‘to be honest, it was a lot of work.?