Cardines Field facts for kids
Cardines undergoing pregame preparation on a Gulls game night.
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| Former names | Basin Field |
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| Location | 20 America's Cup Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island, USA |
| Coordinates | 41°29′28″N 71°19′01″W / 41.491006°N 71.316861°W |
| Owner | City of Newport, RI |
| Capacity | 3,000 |
| Field size | Left field: 315 ft Left-center: 365 ft Center field: 395 ft Center field indent: 315 ft Right-center field corner: 340 ft Right field: 285 ft Fences: 28 ft |
| Surface | Grass |
| Scoreboard | Electric |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1908 |
| Renovated | 1938, 2000 |
| Tenants | |
| Newport Gulls (NECBL) (2001–present) Salve Regina Seahawks (CCC) |
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Cardines Field is a famous baseball stadium in Newport, Rhode Island. Many people think it's one of the oldest baseball parks in the United States. It's often called "a small urban gem of a ballpark" because of its unique charm.
The field sits between homes and shops in an old part of Newport. Its outfield fence has a strange shape. This is because houses are built very close to the field. The spectator side of the park is next to America's Cup Avenue.
The field was first called Basin Field. Records show it existed as early as 1893. Back then, local railroads used the land. It was a basin for draining water and supplying steam engines. Neighbors complained about the standing water and mosquitoes. So, the area was drained, and baseball could be played.
There's a debate about when baseball first started here. Some believe it was before 1900. Others say it began in 1908, when the first stadium construction was recorded. Either way, it's a very old and special place.
Basin Field was later renamed for Bernardo Cardines. He was a Newport baseball player. He was also the first person from Newport to die in World War I. Today, Cardines Field is home to the historic Sunset League. It also hosts the Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
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The Story of Cardines Field
Cardines Field was first built for casual sandlot baseball games. Railroad workers from the nearby Old Colony Division played there. Many famous players visited this field. Even Negro league teams like the Baltimore Elite Giants played here. Legendary pitcher Satchel Paige once played at Cardines. The original backstop was built around 1908. That's when the city started its first six-team league at the park.
Cardines Field looks a bit like other famous old ballparks. It has a stone front and wooden bleachers. Its outfield angles are very unique. The outside arches look like those of the original Yankee Stadium.
In 1936, the city of Newport took over the field. Stone and concrete bleachers were added in 1936-1937. These were built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). You can see "1937" on a plaque at the entrance. The main grandstand was built after a big hurricane in 1938. The curved grandstand behind home plate was finished in 1939. Over the years, more parts were added. This created the unique, overlapping stadium you see today.
During World War II, many pro baseball players were stationed nearby. Players like Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, and Bob Feller played here. They joined Newport's George Donnelly Sunset League. This amateur league started in 1919. Wednesday night all-star games drew huge crowds. They even needed extra bleachers in the outfield. The league was called "Sunset" because games ended at dusk. This was before lights were added to the park. It is the oldest continuous amateur baseball league in the country.
The Sunset League was also special for another reason. It allowed black players like Larry Doby and Luke Easter. This happened several years before Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The league is still a big part of Cardines' history today.
Who Plays at Cardines Field Today?
The George Donnelly Sunset League still plays many games all summer. Now, with lights, games can go on after dark. Cardines Field is home to many teams. These include Rogers High School and Newport's Babe Ruth League. The historic Sunset League also plays here. Other teams include Newport's American Legion team and Salve Regina University. The Naval Academy Preparatory School and the Newport Gulls also call it home.
In 2004, Baseball America magazine chose Cardines Field. It was named one of the top five places in America for college summer baseball. This was thanks to the growing fame of the Newport Gulls.
The Newport Gulls Bring Excitement
Most teams at Cardines have a few dozen fans per game. But the Newport Gulls changed that. Since moving to Newport in 2001, they've brought back the field's glory days. Hundreds of fans now come to their games every night. In 2004, the Gulls attracted over 50,000 fans in just 26 home games. Many games were completely sold out. After the 2010 season, the Gulls set a new record. They had 45,683 fans for 21 home games. This was a record for the team and the NECBL.
Making Cardines Field Even Better
Renovation work started in 2000. Funds came from a $500,000 grant. The Friends of Cardines Field Foundation also helped. In recent years, many parts of the park have been updated. The grandstands, snack bar, and bathrooms were renovated. A new, modern lighting system was also added.
In the winter of 2005-2006, the entire field was replaced. This included the outfield and infield. A new drainage system and outfield fence were also installed. These improvements cost another half million dollars.
The Newport Gulls also needed better facilities. So, the concession equipment was expanded. A team office, storage rooms, and a souvenir stand were renovated. A new ticket booth, scoreboard, and public address system were added. The city's Parks and Recreation Department led this project. The Gulls' former owners and a professor from Roger Williams University also helped.
More recently, the stadium's broadcasting abilities were improved. High-speed internet and phone lines were added. New camera positions and a control room were built. This helps the volunteer crew produce games for the Gulls.
Cardines Field looks much better today than it did in the past. About ten years ago, some people wanted to tear it down. They thought the old field could be used for more parking. But thanks to all the hard work, Cardines Field was saved.
Future plans for Cardines include finishing the outfield fence. They also want to make the dugouts wider and longer. Adding a locker room and an umpire's room is also planned. More restoration work on bleachers and other parts will happen too. There have been talks about removing an old warehouse in right field. But no official plans have been announced yet.
