The Northwoods League’s newest franchise announced Thursday that former big-league pitcher and Cedar Rapids native Wes Obermueller will serve as skipper for the club’s inaugural 2027 season. The hire was revealed during a press conference at This is Iowa Ballpark on the Field of Dreams Movie Site.

“When you think about all of the top things you’re looking for in identifying a field manager for our club, Wes checks all of the boxes,” Dreamers team president and owner Chris Goodell said. “As a former big leaguer who played in our league, he’s lived that world of knowing what it takes to reach the highest level of our game and we’re thrilled that he’s willing to share that experience with our first crop of Dreamers prospects. On top of that, he’s an Iowa guy … Can’t think of a better fit!”

Obermueller made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals on Sept. 20, 2002. He pitched parts of five seasons in the majors with the Royals, Milwaukee Brewers and Florida Marlins, starting 48 games and appearing in 80. He finished with a 5.82 ERA, 166 strikeouts and 315⅓ innings pitched. After his MLB career he pitched for the Orix Buffaloes in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and the Samsung Lions in South Korea’s KBO League.

A University of Iowa product, Obermueller played for the Hawkeyes from 1997 to 1999. The two-way player began his college career as a shortstop and right fielder before moving to the mound as a junior. In 1999 he posted a 6.83 ERA with 91 strikeouts in 88⅓ innings and hit .352 with 24 RBIs. The Royals selected him in the second round of the 1999 MLB Draft.

Obermueller also knows the Northwoods League firsthand. He played for the Wausau Woodchucks in 1996 and 1998 and became the first Woodchucks alumnus drafted when Kansas City took him in the second round. He was the ninth Northwoods League player overall selected in that draft.

“I am completely honored and excited for the opportunity to be the first field manager for the Dyersville Dreamers organization,” Obermueller said. “This league has some of the country’s best prospects come through it year in and year out and I want to pass along my experiences in baseball from all over the world and be a positive resource for the players and their college coaches. We want their coaches to know when they send their player to play here they are getting a first-class competitive experience and will return to their program more confident, developed and ready to help their program achieve their goals.

“This league is as close to a professional baseball atmosphere as you can get and that’s what I love about it. The Northwoods League propelled my playing career as it will for the prospects that come through here. I look forward to helping the players that come through here have a wonderful experience and keep achieving their goals when they compete for the Dreamers.”

Obermueller most recently served as director of player development for the University of Iowa baseball program in 2024 and 2025 before leading the Hawkeye pitching staff in 2026.

His family remains active in the game. Oldest son Cade was selected twice in the MLB Draft, most recently by the Philadelphia Phillies in the second round in 2025 out of Iowa. Cade completed his first full professional season this year with the High-A Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Youngest son Drake is in his second season at Des Moines Area Community College after hitting .388 with seven home runs and 44 RBIs as a freshman.

The 2027 Northwoods League schedule is expected next month. The Dreamers are projected to open their first season in late May 2027. Season tickets are available now at dyersvilledreamers.com. The team office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Professional Ballpark at the Field of Dreams, 28995 Lansing Road, Dyersville.

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