“The one constant through all the years has been baseball […] Baseball has marked the time. This field,this game: it's a part of our past […] It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again,”intones James Earl Jones as Terence Mann in 1989’s Field of Dreams, evoking goosebumps and waves ofnostalgia in the viewer. While an iconic moment in an iconic movie, Jones’ words ring true for real lifebaseball fans – especially those fortunate enough to have played the game.Randy Kersten understands that deep, pure love. Twenty years before the film’s release, Kersten wasliving a dream season as a senior at Naperville Community High School. A captain, he was also theleading hitter in the conference, earning All-Conference and All-State recognition. His team made it tothe state tournament and their journey there holds fond memories for Kersten, who counts time sharedwith teammates as some of the most precious parts of high school. He chuckled, “I will alwaysremember the unbelievable closeness of that 1969 baseball team. Clark Bell and Jerry Sackman and theirentertainment on the bus, highlighting their ‘musical talent’ with karaoke. Pitcher, John Blaircontributed many humorous anecdotes on those long bus rides. What a blessing to play with so manygreat athletes!” Whether it was time spent in season, intense games in summer league, or casualpractice and pickup games, Kersten’s high school highlight reel centers on time spent playing ball withhis friends: “My recollection of my years at NCHS revolved around sports – whether on the field,competing or on the practice field trying to get better at my game.” Love of competition and acommitment to constant improvement fueled Kersten at each stage of his athletic career.Kersten lauds the leadership, encouragement and example of his coach, 2013 Hall of Fame inductee DickSmith, as integral to the magic of that season and team, as well as to the long-term life success of all inhis program. “I valued his instruction, tenacity, and work ethic, especially as I continued on at thecollege level,” Kersten explained. “His positive influence, no matter what the circumstances were, notonly strengthened me as a player but also as a man.”After being drafted by the Washington Senators in the 1969 June draft, Kersten channeled Smith’steachings and headed to Northern Illinois University, where he was a four-year letterman in baseball. In1972, he played 2 nd base on the first NIU team to qualify with an “at large bid” to the post-seasonDivision 1 College World Series, a team that was inducted into the NIU Hall of Fame in 2008. That year,he played in the Cape Cod Summer Collegiate League for the Chatham As, earning All-League Cape Codhonors and finishing 4 th in the League with a .340 average. His time on the Cape brought him newfriendships and deepened his desire to achieve at the highest level possible. Returning to the Huskies,he was named senior captain of the NIU baseball team. When another draft opportunity did notemerge, he graduated with a degree in Business Management, met his wife, Kathie, and moved toKansas to take over the family farm and ranch.Reflecting on the transition to post-baseball life, Kersten shared, “After my playing days ended, Icontinued my love of the game by coaching our two sons, Casey and Chris – and our daughter, Carrie inbasketball. I feel fortunate to be able to share what I learned as a high school athlete through coachinghundreds of kids throughout the years, including my own kids and grandkids. What a satisfying andfulfilling experience for me.”The Kerstens soon discovered how fulfilling fan life could be as they introduced their children andgrandchildren to the joys and lessons of sport. Their youngest son, Chris went on to be a four-yearstarter at Louisiana Tech University, playing two years of professional baseball with the ClevelandIndians. “My wife and I have been fortunate to have supported and strengthened our family throughsports,” Kersten said, “and to have been in the stands cheering them on every chance that we got.”While Kersten has found great joy in his family and in his work, his advice for NCHS student-athletesmirrors his fondness for his own athletic story: “Make the most of your days at Naperville Central bothon and off the field – those days will eventually come to an end, but your efforts, relationships,accomplishments, and the many memories will last a lifetime.”