Ok, I just couldn’t resist. My intentions were to go to Cardines Field last night, sit there like all the other fans, take in the game, minimal photos, no notebook, no chicken scratch shorthand, no interviews pre or post game with managers and players and staff, no posts to social media throughout the game. I accomplished many of those intentions as I sat in the stands with Rachel as a fan, not as the Rhode Island Baseball Experience writer I have been the last 5 years. However, as I said, I just couldn’t resist taking game photos, meeting up with HCs on both teams, and in the end I thoroughly enjoyed just being a baseball fan at Cardines Field.

I have played, attended, and written about baseball at Cardines Field since I was 17 years old. I have pitched, played first base, got base hits, watched home runs, watched HS, NECBL, American Legion, LL Juniors, Babe Ruth level games. I know the park very, very well. Yet, every single time I go to a game at Cardines, it is as if I had just walked through the front gates for the first time. I am in awe of its history, its quirky dimensions, its short right field, its trees that overhang left field, the playground behind left field, the homes around the park, the side streets that lead to the outfield fencing, the bleachers, the short back stop, the close proximity you are as a fan to the players and game on the field. I just don’t know if there is another baseball field I have experienced that makes me feel the way Cardines does. In short, I love it there.

The Newport Gulls of the New England Collegiate Baseball League call Cardines Field home. The staff, led by Michael Falcone (for years and years) does an incredible job every summer with not only putting a quality product on the field, but heavily involving the community and fans in the entire Gulls experience. Last night was no exception, as it honored American Heroes – police, fire, EMTS, first responders – in Opening Ceremonies and throughout the game. Little Leaguers from nearly by Newport Little League accompanied players onto the field and some served as bat boys during the game. The weather was baseball ready as well after several storms during the day and a threat of rain at night. No rain during the game and conditions were nearly ideal for night baseball.

It makes me laugh…Because of the optics at Cardines, every ball hit in the air to the outfield looks like it will be a home run. Fans gasped with every ball hit out of the infield, on the fly, only to be disappointed (slightly) when the ball landed in an outfielder’s glove. Oh there were home runs hit last night, but to me those home runs made a different sound off the bat. Sort of like strumming a guitar out of tune. Just doesn’t sound right to the trained ear. Now, when you hit a note on a beautifully tuned guitar, there it is, you hit it out of the park. You might be an obsessed baseball fan if you can close your eyes and tell the difference between a fly ball to center and a ball hit over the left field fence for a home run. In fact, last night there was a home run hit over left field and I believe over the playground in left field as well. A mammoth shot and that beautiful tone off the bat was the dead ringer for me.

As I am a fan equally of the Gulls and the Waves, I cheered for every strikeout, hit, homer, double play, caught stealing, run scored, and pop up caught. Same can be said for the two managers, Gulls’ Frank Holbrook and Waves Eric Hirschbein-Bodnar. Over the past several years, I have written about their baseball teams (RIC, Bryant as well) who they have represented with incredible character and leadership. And would always enjoy running into them at HS or prep games or scout showcases that I was writing about. I took a moment while each was coaching their team from the third base coaches box to say hi and good luck. Both really good guys, great baseball minds, and I was psyched to connect with them again.

About the time the lights flipped on at Cardines Field, the Gulls offense kicked into high gear – around the 4th or 5th inning. Baserunners, home runs, base hits, some passed balls, and a ton of runs by the Gulls after a quiet first few innings. Stands were packed, near sell out by the 3rd inning, so the crowd noise became louder and louder with each hometown hit and run. I kept one eye on the home run and foul balls, which I will explain in just a bit. The game moved quickly and was into the 8th inning at around 8:30 or so, and I was getting a little hungry. So, we marched from our post atop the bleachers, down the wooden stairs, holding onto to the railing, one last good-bye to the park and headed out out of Cardines and into Newport. One last trip around the park and then back to the car.

I mentioned keeping an eye on the foul balls and home runs. I have a crazy streak of finding baseballs at games and parks and fields I visit. I wouldn’t say it is 100% but it is dang close. And there it was, just laying in the street behind right field begging me to pick it up. Baseball found, streak alive, time to get some dinner.

Cardines Field will always have a special place in my heart. It is a baseball treasure like few others in my life. I was the Rhode Island Baseball Experience for so many years because of fields like Cardines and leagues like the NECBL and coaches Frank and Eric. Last night, I loved just watching the game sans notebook and really took in every pitch, every play, every moment. Amazing Rhode Island Baseball Experience – that is the understatement of 2023!