New England Collegiate
Baseball League


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Recognized By Baseball America Magazine

1908

 Grounds First Used for Baseball
1919 Sunset League Begins Play
1936 Stadium Erected
2001 Rhode Island Gulls Migrate to Newport
Recently ranked as the 4th best park in the United States for summer collegiate baseball by Baseball America Magazine, Cardines Field, home of the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League has a rich history involving the great American Pastime.

The parcel of land on which Cardines sits, formerly known as "The Basin", had been used in the 1800's as a source of water for the steam locomotives until the area residents complained about the stagnant water.

In 1908, a small group of New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad employees cleared enough away for a diamond to play host to a six-team league. The railroad later disbanded the league due to the broken windows,  a problem which still exists today.

In 1919, the railroad granted permission to the oldest established amateur league in the United States, known as the George S. Donnelly Sunset League which still plays today - 86 seasons later.

Between 1925 and 1936, the City of Newport leased the field for $1 per year. Small wooden bleachers and a backstop sufficed since no permanent improvements could be made to the privately owned parcel of land.  In 1936, the City of Newport purchased the field and quickly made it one of the finest fields in America.

Cardines is a cousin of other notable fields of that era, Ebbetts Field, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field all boasted a stone facade and wooden bleachers with unique outfield angles that made players famous in their ability to play the caroms.

By the 1980's, Cardines Field was in danger of being torn down to make room for a parking lot to support the successful tourist industry in Newport. A local group led by Ron MacDonald, raised the funds necessary to repair the aging facility and spare it another decade, when once again it faced extinction.

Today, the "Friends of Cardines Foundation" works hard each year to improve the historic landmark, which, in 2001 saw the addition of a new lighting system. The Newport Gulls former ownership contributed with a modern new concession stand and beginning in 2002 the parks and recreation department  renovated the bathroom, bleachers and locker room facilities.

Distances to Fences:

Left Field

315
Left Centerfield

365
Centerfield

395
Right Centerfield

315
Right Field

285

(Fences -20 Feet High)
Seating Capacity: 3,000
Over the years many baseball legends have graced Cardines Field, including Jimmy Foxx, Larry Doby, Lou Gorman and Satchel Paige who sat in a rocking chair between the hockey style dugouts thinking up new names for his many pitches. Folklore has it that Babe Ruth once toed the batters box and rubber here at Cardines.... One thing is for sure though, the Newport Gulls have begun an exciting new tradition here at Cardines with two NECBL Championships and unprecedented fan support. The baseball tradition continues...