Newport Gulls 2021 Media Guide

Cardines Field: A piece of baseball history since 1908 Cardines Field, the home of the Newport Gulls 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.

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 - 99 seasons later.

Between 1925 and 1936, the City of Newport leased the field for $1 per year.

In 1936, the Federal WPA constructed wooden bleachers, a backstop, fencing, and additional improvements in which some are still standing. That same year, 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, Fenway and Wrigley all boasting 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 (R&R Construction), raised the funds necessary to repair the aging facility and made significant improvements to the field. Due to the efforts of Mr. MacDonald, the City of Newport passed a resolution that will keep Cardines Field as an historic landmark in Newport history.

Today, the “Friends of Cardines Foundation” with support from the Aletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust and the City of Newport work hard each year to improve the historic landmark, which, in 2005 saw the addition of a new lighting system and 2018 a new playing surface, and now for 2021 season...a beautiful new scoreboard. The Newport Gulls have contributed to the renovations by constructing a modern new concession stand, purchasing picnic area materials, baseball screens and batting cage, as well as painting the inside and outside of the stadium when needed.

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