Newport Gulls
Eight-time NECBL champions based at historic Cardines Field.
Home to Cardines Field since 2001, the Newport Gulls compete in the Coastal Division of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. This Rhode Island summer team uses wooden bats and is made up of college players.
Quick Facts
- League
- NECBL
- Division
- South Division
- Location
- Newport, RI (2001–present); Cranston, RI (1998–2000)
- Stadium
- Cardines Field (2001–present)
- Founded
- 1998
- Series
- Post-Season Division
- Former names
- Newport Gulls (2001–present); Rhode Island Gulls (1998–2000)
- Former ballparks
- Cranston Stadium (1998–2000)
Facts from the source article.
History
The club was founded in Cranston in 1998 as an NECBL expansion team. Since their inception, the Gulls have been among the league's most successful teams, winning eight Fay Vincent, Sr. Cups as NECBL champions and eleven division titles. After moving to Newport in 2001, the Gulls helped restore Cardines Field to its mid-twentieth-century prominence, averaging over 2,300 fans per regular-season home game. In 2004, the team attracted over 50,000 fans through 26 home games, including sellout crowds exceeding 3,000. Following the 2006 season, the Gulls set a team and league record for regular-season home attendance with 42,424 fans over 21 games, along with a league-best win–loss record of 32–10. For the 2024 season, the Gulls ranked 13th in all of summer collegiate baseball with an average attendance of 2,676 per game, second in the NECBL to the ninth-ranked Martha's Vineyard Sharks. In 15 seasons in Newport, the Gulls never failed to win fewer than 25 regular-season games. Games feature fan participation activities between innings, concessions, low ticket prices, and a safe atmosphere, contributing to popularity among tourists and Aquidneck Island families. The active crowds, historic atmosphere, and competent management have enabled the Gulls to recruit top college baseball talent, rivaling the Cape Cod League. Since 2001, Cardines Field has hosted the Gulls through 13 regular-season division titles, 13 postseason division titles, and 8 league championships, along with other awards such as the RI Governor's Cup, Pell Bridge Series Championship, and Dunkin' Donuts Cup. The Gulls formerly held an annual exhibition against Team USA around Independence Day, often a sellout. In July 2005, the Gulls hosted the NECBL All-Star Game and Home Run Derby at Cardines, an event repeated in 2010, 2016, and 2021.
Notable games
On July 29, 2002, Rafael Lara played all nine positions in a nine-inning game against the Mill City All-Americans and earned the win on the mound in a 5–4 Gulls victory. On July 1, 2005, four Gulls pitchers combined for a no-hitter against the Danbury Westerners, retiring 27 consecutive batters after a leadoff walk. On August 8, 2005, second baseman Jeff Miller turned an unassisted triple play in an NECBL championship series game. On July 21, 2006, three Gulls pitchers no-hit the North Adams SteepleCats. On July 4, 2008, pitcher Chase Reid struck out an NECBL-record 19 Torrington Twisters. On July 28, 2025, right fielder Michael Gupton hit three home runs with four RBIs in a seven-inning game against the Danbury Westerners.
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