August 4th, 1919…..
Who would’ve thought that, a century later, the Sunset League, now the George Donnelly Sunset League, would still be active, and thriving?
Certainly, when Dr. Peter Integlia and Arthur Leland set out to start a new baseball league in Newport that fall, no one thought it would last 100 years. After Manager Vietri of the Bijou Theatre threw the ceremonial first pitch, George Tubley of the Orioles toed the rubber and started the Sunset League.
We have faced many obstacles, from financial instability to the potential of the tearing down William H. Warrens-designed and built Basin Field, now Cardines Field, for a parking lot. The league started on two different fields in Newport, one at Wellington Park and the other field at what now call Cardines Field.
Players have come from all over the country to play in the Sunset League. We have had teams from the Army, Navy, and Marines. Teams from New Haven, CT to New Bedford, MA up to Pawtucket, RI and down to Bristol, RI, while maintaining a great selection of players from Newport itself.
As the Commissioner of the League, I take great pride in its history of the league and the fact it is an integral part of the fabric that is this great city of Newport.
I encourage you to come down to Cardines Field this summer to catch some quality amateur, wooden bat baseball in a historic ballpark. Truly nothing beats sitting in the third base stands watching a game as the sun sets over Newport Harbor. You can see what a great place the City by the Sea is – all while watching America’s Pastime.
Thank you,
Chris La Rose
Commissioner GDSL