From 1900 to 1908, installation of nearby sewers drained off considerable of the water which used to accumulate, so it was possible to use the field for running and jumping events on the Fourth of July, for an occasional carnival and for games and play by small children.

During the year 1908, a group of men working at the Old Colony Repair Shop obtained permission from the N.Y., N.H. and Hartford Railroad Company to use the field for baseball games. The field was in a very poor and dangerous condition due to many holes and washouts, and was littered with bottles, tin cans, stones. etc., and with electric poles and wires so placed as to interfere with such games as might be played.

There were no funds available to defray the expense of putting this field in condition, so a group of Boiler Makers from Old Colony took the situation in hand and worked a few hours each evening and in a short time had the field in such shape that they were able to play a game of base ball. With this much accomplished this same group of men then brought about the organization of the first City Base Ball league ever formed in Newport, all, the games of which were played at this "Basin" field: with the first game taking place on May 25, 1908.

Hot Times in the Old Town

This historic league, of which J.Frank Albro was president, was made up of six teams, viz: Torpedo Station Clerks, Rudder Club, Rangers, Old Colony, Primer Makers, and the Y.M.C.A. It was a very close and interesting race with the Old Colony team showing the way until the last few weeks when the Torpedo Station Clerks came from behind to win the championship with the following lineup: Bert Carr, catcher: Eddie Dunn and Jerry A. Sullivan, pitchers: Brock Hayes, 1st base: Bill Crowther, 2nd base: Horace Brown, 3rd base: Bill Martin, short stop: Andy Kirwin, left field: Frank J. Harrington, center field: Alanzo Knowe and Jack Gillis, right field.

Although the games were played under very poor conditions never the less they were hard fought and interesting, with many fights between player, umpires, and spectators.

The average attendance at these league games was about 700. It was a picturesque sight to see the people sitting or standing around the entire outfield, in front of or on the fence at the outer sidewalk. There were no bleacher seats in those days, only benches for the players. In back of home plate, there was a back stop with an old discarded fish net thrown over it to keep the foul balls from going over to the railroad station amidst the horses and carriages awaiting arrival of the evening trains. Lack of high protective fences allowed several foul balls to smash through the windows of incoming and out going trains.

Just about enough money was collected by passing the hat to cover the expenses of running the league. Because of ground conditions, the brand of ball played was not up to the present standard but it is doubtful if the fans of this city have ever been treated to as much fun as they had at the games in those days.

For many years subsequent to 1908, the railroad company refused permission for adults to play at the Basin because of damage done their property during the first year of the City League. In 1914, the Recreation Commission was given permission to use the Basin Field for play by small children only and it was not until late in 1918 that the Railroad Company consented to allow Army and Navy and other teams to play baseball on the Basin field. This was the result of pressure by officials from the Torpedo Station for use of the field, as a War Measure. Request was granted on the condition the league officials would be responsible and make good any damage to property or persons injured.

Sunset League Opens

With permission granted to again use the field for league games, the Spring of 1919 saw the formation of the Sunset League which has continued up to the present time.

It was not until November 1925, that a lease of this field at $1.00 per year with tax exemption granted was agreed upon by the City of Newport and the N.Y., N.H., & H. Railroad Co. This arrangement continued until 1936. From 1919 to 1936, no permanent improvements were made as the field was private property. Small wooden bleachers were erected on the first and third base sides and a backstop put up. A few stone drains were installed and with fences build in front of the bleachers, together with a few other improvements.

As recent as 1935, Cardines [Basin] Field presented a very unsightly appearance, with broken down fences and dilapated houses forming an outfield boundary. No grass could be grown on this field, and it was so hard and fast that a ball player was in danger of getting hurt every time he got in the way of a hard hit ground ball. After a hard rain, the field would be in such poor shape that games could not be played for a day or two.

This old dirt field was held in ridicule by fans and players alike, because of the conditions under which the games were played. You all remember how 'pop flies' dropped over the right field fence for two base hits, how batters, because of the short field, were thrown out at first on what would have been perfectly good hits at other fields, and last, but not least, the old batting cage or backstop in back of home plate which prevented the catcher from making a play on a ball hit over his head. There were no accommodations at the field for teams from ships or Station, or from out of town, and it was necessary for such players to change uniforms, etc. at the Army Navy YMCA, the Fire Station or elsewhere.

All of these conditions reacted very unfavorably to the City of Newport, but nothing could be done about it, as the field was the private property of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company. While many people entertained the idea that the City should purchase and improve this property, it was not until 1935, as a member of the Recreation Commission, I corresponded with the Railroad Company and asked if they would consider the sale of this property to the City. Much to my surprise, I was informed that they were willing to sell and requested me to have the City make an offer. Immediately the Recreation Commission notified the Representative Council and strongly recommended purchase. Favorable action and cooperation were received from the Mayor, the Board of Aldermen, and the Representative Council and in 1936, the so-called 'Basin' became the property of the City of Newport.

Almost immediately, the Recreation Commission obtained Federal W.P.A. and State S.U.R.A. projects and work was started. Some 30 stone drains with sewer system were installed to drain off the water: the entire field was graded with rich loam: the infield was converted into a major league diamond, with sod and regulation base paths, etc.: attractive billboards with lattice work were put in place by the Newport Poster Company to help form an outfield boundary line: a four foot stone wall, with outside concrete walk, was constructed around the entire east and south sides of the field: a field house, with stone bleachers [wooded seats] which provides showers, dressing rooms, lockers, and toilet facilities for players and spectators was build: and storage, for playground equipment and baseball paraphernalia, was erected.

Additional Ground Acquired

With all this accomplished within a two year period, the Recreation Commission, with the thought in mind to enlarge the field and eventually make it a big recreation center, set about to get the City to purchase additional land to the east in order to make a regulation field, and at the same time to tear down the unsightly fences and buildings that make the boundary line. Hearty cooperation was received from the City Officials and in January 1939 the City had acquired the desired property. In the space of a few months, by means of Federal and State projects, what was once an ugly sight was transformed to one of real beauty, and the change brought about an enlarged playing area considerably larger than the regulation size field.

After getting the grounds in great shape, along came the famous hurricane of September, 1938 which submerged the field under five feet of salt water from the outer harbor. The grass was destroyed to a great extent and it became necessary to resod the entire infield and outfield areas - first spreading rich loam over the entire land. This was a huge job, but the energetic Grounds Committee of the Recreation Commission [Florence F. Sullivan and William S. West], with the aid of State and Federal projects, completed this work and today the field is one of the finest to be found anywhere.

Prior to the opening of the 1939 Sunset League, the Recreation Commission had a grand-stand built approximately 40 feet in back of home plate. The drawing of the plans for this stand and the construction work was accomplished under the expert direction of William H. Warren. The first base bleachers were remodeled with new wire fences, two big league dug-outs were built for the players [the gift of Jack O'Brien], a new flag pole [the gift of Martin Galvin] was put up in center field, with a large American flag [the gift of the Daughters of Union Veterans].

At the present time, new wooden bleachers, roofed, to seat about 450, are nearing completion at the south-east end of the field. This stand was designed and the work supervised by William H. Warren. Assistance was furnished by S.U.R.A. labor and employees of the Recreation Department.

These bleachers do away with crude temporary stands which accommodated only a small number of people, and will add greatly to the appearance of this particular spot.

The Recreation Commission has a W.P.A. project underway which calls for the construction of stone bleachers to seat 950 people to be similar to and located to the north of the present 3rd base bleachers. Work on the project is expected to start about September 1, 1940.

Looking Towards the Future

Upon completion of these projects, the seating capacity of Cardines field will be approximately 2,700. One of the major objectives of the Recreation Commission, under whose jurisdiction Cardines Field has been from 1914 up to the present time, is to expand its program at the field by increasing the present seating capacity to 3,000 or more, by installing flood lights, by purchase of additional land: by the installation of various facilities: and, the erection of suitable buildings, if not on adjoining land, then on land in close proximity to the present location, for the purpose of establishing a Recreation Center for the playing of baseball, football, soccer, tennis, badminton, handball, volley ball, basketball, ice skating, and roller skating, and provide an area enclosed with proper equipment, for small children.

With the installation of flood lights, night entertainment would be made possible with outdoor dancing, football, baseball, ice and roller skating, boxing bouts and various other kinds of amusements. The field and its facilities would be available to the Sunset League, Rogers High School, De La Salle Academy, and various teams and organizations throughout the city. It is also planned to stage a few baseball games at night between teams from the major leagues. During the winter months, a large area would be flooded for ice skating, day and night, and this activity alone is sure to attract thousands who like to skate or look on.

It is not expected that such a Recreation Center would become a reality over-night, but it is felt that it can be accomplished over a period of years, with something substantial done each year, provided the public gets behind it.

The present recreation Commission, which consists of such well-known citizens as Miss Ruth Franklin, John J. Conron, A.R.G Gatzenmeier, Florence F. Sullivan, William S. West, Hugh N. Murray, and Dr. Peter P. Integlia, is a very active commission and is doing a grand job in developing our play grounds and providing wholesome recreation for the youth of our city. These members serve without compensation, and give considerable of their time and labor, their only award being the satisfaction they derive from knowing the benefits others receive from their labors.

The present site of Cardines field is with out doubt the finest location it the city. It has an excellent approach, is near the theatres and business district, has exceptional parking facilities and is approximately in the center of the city, where people like to find themselves after attending the games.

The Recreation Commission points with pride to the improvements which have taken place during the past few years at Cardines field, and considers such improvements a decided asset to the City of Newport. It also considers that the money spent has been wisely and economically expended.