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Washington County pork farm builds Independence Day baseball tradition

Kalen McCain

Jul. 8, 2025 4:13 pm

Cedar Rapids Reds player Jimmer Larson swings hard in a game of "banana ball" at the "Pig Pen," a baseball field squarely in the middle of Brenneman Pork's farmland in Washington County, Iowa. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Cedar Rapids Reds player Jimmer Larson swings hard in a game of "banana ball" at the "Pig Pen," a baseball field squarely in the middle of Brenneman Pork's farmland in Washington County, Iowa. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.

KALONA — When one of the state’s top pork-producing companies built a baseball field in its front yard, the farmers acknowledged it was an unusual move.

Prompted by a passion for baseball, Tim Brenneman said the field has since become a routine place for local teams to practice, a reason for community members to visit the farm, and even an attraction for visiting politicians.

“I grew up loving the sport, and there’s just not enough fields in the community,” he said. “Baseball was something that, with my younger boy and my older boy, it was six to seven days a week between games and practices. It was something we were already doing, and we loved.”

2025 marked the graduation year of the first team to play on the Brenneman Ballfield, shortly after it was built in 2017. Returning players attended the July 3 holiday game, and were gifted hats with the Bulltown Black logo of their childhood team. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
2025 marked the graduation year of the first team to play on the Brenneman Ballfield, shortly after it was built in 2017. Returning players attended the July 3 holiday game, and were gifted hats with the Bulltown Black logo of their childhood team. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

Tim Brenneman built much of the field himself back in 2017, with help from area contractors Bev and Jim Seelman.

Brenneman Pork’s baseball field has since become home to a yearly tradition: members of area teams are invited to play a game there every July 3. And anyone in the know — former players, community members, and their families — are welcome to show up. The event often ends in fireworks.

“To tell you the truth, when we started it, it was just the two teams,” Tim Brenneman said. “And then people just showed up, it was crazy. They just showed up and it went from there. And we want people to come out and enjoy themselves, that’s the goal.”

A sizable crowd lines the field at Brenneman Pork, where the farm owners hold a baseball game and firework show every July 3. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
A sizable crowd lines the field at Brenneman Pork, where the farm owners hold a baseball game and firework show every July 3. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Iowa Route Roadrunner players shout at a their teammate to turn around, as an unconventional ruleset kicks in and reverses the order of the bases during a game of banana ball in rural Washington County. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Iowa Route Roadrunner players shout at their teammate to turn around, as an unconventional rule kicks in and reverses the order of the bases during a game of banana ball in rural Washington County. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

This year, participating athletes played “banana ball,” a variant of the American pastime that aims to speed up play, involve the audience, and incentivize style points.

Playing last week’s holiday game were members of 13-under baseball teams, including the Cedar Rapids Reds, Iowa Route Roadrunners, and Bulltown Gold.

Cedar Rapids Reds player Caden Rehm watches a pop-fly sail over the Pigpen Park, Brenneman Pork's baseball field, during an exhibition game July 3, 2025. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Iowa Route Roadrunners player Braxton Tobin prepares to swing for the fences during an exhibition game at Brenneman Pork's baseball field. Owners said the field was used for practices about four times a week. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Iowa Route Roadrunners player Braxton Tobin prepares to swing for the fences during an exhibition game at Brenneman Pork's baseball field. Owners said the field was used for practices about four times a week. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

Athletes switched between teams as the night continued, keeping things lighthearted and fun as the night went on.

“We feel that baseball really teaches a lot of life lessons,” said Erin Brenneman. “It’s a great sport to grow youth in, it goes far beyond the actual sport itself. Failure, perseverance, being coachable, all those sorts of things … and we have kids that play, so it kind of fit for us.”

All eyes are on a fastball barreling toward the plate during a banana ball game at Brenneman Pork's baseball field July 3, 2025. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
All eyes are on a fastball barreling toward the plate during a banana ball game at Brenneman Pork's baseball field July 3, 2025. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

The Brennemans don’t equate their diamond to Iowa’s more famous Field of Dreams, instead calling it “Pigpen Park.”

Whatever the name, Erin Brenneman said the farm was pleased to bring people together every year.

Players switched teams throughout the night, during a casual game of banana ball at Pigpen Park in rural Washington County. (Kalen McCain/The Union)
Players switched teams throughout the night, during a casual game of banana ball at Pigpen Park in rural Washington County. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

“There’s really something special about gathering here, under the lights of this field,” she said. “Tonight isn’t just about the fireworks and the food … it’s about coming together to celebrate everything that makes this community strong. Love, laughter, and the memories that we build together.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com

Article Tags Washington County, Iowa
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