Friends of Aquidneck Baseball
Put your name on the wall at historic Cardines Field.
A community fundraiser to support historic Cardines Field and help with the maintenance and restoration of this beautiful ballpark, in conjunction with the City of Newport.
Balls on the wall
0 / 270
All 270 spaces are open. Be the first name on the wall.
Why it matters
Why Cardines
300+
games and practices every season
March to October
The historic ballpark has served as a landmark for the City and a safe haven for children and families alike for generations.
From the first day the field is in use in the spring through the last date of play in the fall, there is at least one game or practice being held. Usage such as this is virtually unheard of for any facility, especially one with a natural surface and not privately owned.
Just as there are far too many games played on this field, there are far too many projects for the City of Newport to fund that are necessary for proper upkeep. There is a continual need for reinvestment in the facility given its historic wooden construction and the field's intensive usage.
Who plays at Cardines
- Newport GullsHome at Cardines for just over two decades
- George Donnelly Sunset LeagueEst. 1919
- American Legion Baseball
- Babe Ruth Baseball
- Rogers High School
- Salve Regina University
- Island Baseball League
The field today
The Field Today
Since 1908
History of Cardines Field
Late 1800s to early 1900s
Transformation From Basin To Baseball
Originally known as Basin Field, Cardines Field in Newport underwent a significant transformation from a waterfront basin to a beloved baseball haven in the late 1800s. Once a cove off Narragansett Bay, it initially served as a water basin for steamers before community complaints led to its draining around 1891. This paved the way for the birth of the baseball field.
In the early 1900s, employees of the Old Colony Repair shop secured permission to use the field for baseball games from the landowners, the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company. This led to the establishment of Newport's first City Baseball League, with its inaugural game played at “Basin Field” on May 25, 1908.
1908 to 1939
The Birth Of Organized Baseball
The dawn of organized baseball at Cardines Field in 1908 marked a pivotal moment in Newport's sporting history. The league's inaugural season saw the Torpedo Station Clerks clinch the first championship.
Despite initial challenges like broken windows, a resurgence occurred in 1918 when Army, Navy, and other teams gained access to the field, laying the groundwork for the renowned Sunset League. Starting in 1919, this league became the oldest continuously operating amateur baseball league in the nation, cementing Cardines Field's status as a hub of amateur baseball.
Glass plate negative depicting a Sunset League baseball game at Cardines Field, May 12, 1940. Collection of the Newport Historical Society, Newport Daily News glass plate negative collection (P458). 
Ernest Jenkins enjoyed a successful career as a power hitter with several teams in the Sunset League including the Fifth Ward Club and the South Ends. 
1943 Sunset League silver anniversary opening-day advertisement. 1925 to present
Establishing a Baseball Landmark
Cardines Field's journey from a leased property to a beloved baseball landmark is a testament to Newport's enduring passion for the sport. From 1925 onwards, the city's commitment to preserving its sporting heritage saw it assume ownership of the field.
Spearheaded by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), significant enhancements were made, including the construction of wooden bleachers, a stone field house, and the iconic curving grandstand behind home plate. These additions not only enhanced the spectator experience but also attracted top-tier talent, including Negro League teams and notable players like Jimmie Foxx and Satchel Paige.
Today, Cardines Field stands as a beacon of baseball excellence, serving as the proud home of the historic Sunset League and the Newport Gulls, while preserving the rich legacy of America's favorite pastime.
Fifth Ward Team, 1946. Photograph by Samuel Kerschner. Kerschner-Harrington collection, Newport Historical Society.
Mapping America's Baseball Legacy
From their humble beginnings as mere fields to becoming grand structures that have stood the test of time, these historic venues have seen it all. Many of them are still being used today, keeping their rich history alive through ongoing play.
- Fuller FieldClinton, MAest. 1878
- Centennial FieldBurlington, VTest. 1906
- Cardines Field / Basin FieldNewport, RIest. 1908
- Rickwood FieldBirmingham, ALest. 1910
- Fenway ParkBoston, MAest. 1912
- Wrigley FieldChicago, ILest. 1914
- Goodall ParkSanford, MEest. 1915
- Bosse FieldEvansville, INest. 1915
- Ray Fisher StadiumAnn Arbor, MIest. 1923
- Engel StadiumChattanooga, TNest. 1930
- Lamar Porter FieldLittle Rock, ARest. 1936
Historical text and photographs adapted from the History of Cardines Field sign. Photograph reproduction permission with the Newport Historical Society is being confirmed before public launch.
The engraved baseball program
The Engraved Baseball Program
- Price
- $250
- for a 3-year period, renewable
- Ball
- 3" acrylic
- engraved with your name or business
- Wall
- 270 balls
- 15 across by 18 down
- Location
- Grandstand exterior
- below the Friends of Cardines sign
Display baseballs are $250 for a 3-year period and can be renewed after that if you wish to continue your support, or the ball will be replaced with a new supporter.
The Donor Wall
Every ball on this wall is a supporter of Cardines Field. Hover or tap a ball to see who is on it. 270 spaces, 15 across and 18 down, exactly as the sign will be built.
Where the money goes
Where the Money Goes
Projects and costs as proposed in the 2024 Friends of Cardines proposal; subject to City of Newport approval. The proposal requests that the City provide a 50% match to share the cost of improvement projects identified by the City and the Friends.
| Immediate need | Project cost | Friends’ share (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| Installation of rubber surfacing behind home plate | $40,000 | $20,000 |
| Backstop fencing and netting improvements | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Infield renovation | $60,000 | $30,000 |
| Update safety padding and netting | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| Dedicated wheelchair seating section | $60,000 | $30,000 |
| Installation of LED ballfield lights | $350,000 | $175,000 |
| Total | $610,000 | $305,000 |
Longer range
- LED light conversion$300,000+
- Locker rooms$250,000
- Dugout and home plate apron$50,000
Stewardship
Funds are collected by Newport Babe Ruth League, a 501(c)(3), and directed specifically to Cardines Field upgrades in coordination with the City of Newport. We will be transparent in this process.
Give
Support Cardines Field
Engraved Baseball
$2503 years, renewable
- 3” acrylic baseball engraved with up to two lines
- Displayed on the wall outside the Cardines grandstand
- Renew after 3 years to keep your place
Make a gift
Any amount helps.
Prefer to give by check?
Make checks payable to Newport Babe Ruth League and write “Cardines Field” in the memo line.
Payments are processed securely by Stripe. Gifts are made to Newport Babe Ruth League, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Questions
Frequently asked
What goes on the baseball?
Up to two short lines: a family name, a business, an “in memory of,” or a message. You enter the text during checkout.
How long is my ball displayed?
Three years from installation. After that you can renew to keep your place on the wall, or the ball will be replaced with a new supporter.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Newport Babe Ruth League is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. TODO: confirm the deductible amount language with a tax professional, since donors receive an engraved ball. Your receipt will state the organization's EIN.
Who manages the funds?
Newport Babe Ruth League collects the gifts and directs them specifically toward Cardines Field upgrades, working directly with the City of Newport on how funds are collected and managed.
Can I pay by check or give a larger gift?
Yes. Use the contact details below and we will follow up directly.
Contact
Get Involved
Questions about the program, corporate sponsorships, or a gift by check? Reach out and we will follow up.
- Contact
- Chris Patsos
- chrisp@imifish.com
- Phone
- 401-862-3711
- Checks
- Payable to Newport Babe Ruth League, memo “Cardines Field”. TODO: mailing address