Few things go together like summertime and baseball, as you’re bound to find a game taking place in countless communities throughout the country on any given July evening.
Numerous towns and cities on the East Coast have teams in the New England Collegiate Baseball League, which runs between the beginning of June and early August and features some of the top college baseball players from around the nation.
It’s easy to get out and see a game when vacationing in South County because the Ocean State Waves play at Old Mountain Field in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Not only that but the Mystic Sooners and Newport Gulls are based in communities a short drive from many South County towns, giving you multiple options.
Here’s some information on what you can expect when attending an NECBL game during the 2023 season.
How the League Works
The college baseball season begins in the middle of February and runs until late June. Unfortunately for the players, this timeline leaves them without anywhere to play in the summer. That’s where leagues like the NECBL fill a void.
The gist is that New England Collegiate Baseball League teams recruit college players from around the country and bring them to small communities for a short, supplemental season. Similar leagues include the West Coast League, the Cape Cod Baseball League, the Alaska Baseball League, the Texas Collegiate League, the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League, and the MLB Draft League.
These leagues attract top college players every season, many of whom will go on to have major league careers. If you love baseball, it’s worth checking out a game or two on your vacation.
The Ocean State Waves
Booking a vacation rental in the South Kingstown area puts you close to Old Mountain Field, home of the Ocean State Waves. While the field is rustic, it enjoys a wonderful location near downtown Wakefield and is relatively close to Narragansett Town Beach, creating an excellent atmosphere to catch a ballgame.
The ballpark has little in the way of on-site amenities, but its central location makes it easy to stop by a game after heading out for dinner. Tickets are only $5 each, too, so it’s an affordable way to finish your evening in South County.
Mystic Schooners
The Mystic Schooners now play their home games at Senator Thomas J. Dodd Memorial Stadium in Norwich, Connecticut, perhaps the nicest ballpark the NECBL has to offer. Norwich is about the same distance from Westerly as Wakefield, so you can choose which game to attend based on the schedule when you’re in the area.
The stadium in Norwich features plenty of parking and some pleasant bleachers, so it could be a good option in you’re concerned about comfort. The issue is that the field isn’t within walking distance of any restaurants, so you’ll be stuck eating on-site if you attend a game. Tickets to the Mystic Sooners start at $10 each, although kids can sometimes get in free on promotional nights.
Newport Gulls
The final option for attending a game in this area is the Newport Gulls, the league’s most successful team, having won six league championships since 2001. The Gulls play their home games at Cardines Field, which is just over the Claiborne Pell/Newport Bridge from Jamestown and only about 15 minutes from Wickford Village, making it easily accessible.
The small stadium is near Newport Harbor and is surrounded by restaurants, too, creating a vibrant atmosphere at games. Tickets are just $5; you can pick them up at the door.
A Chance to See Future Pros
Perhaps the main reason to attend an NECBL game is the opportunity to see future MLB players develop their skills in a small stadium. These chances don’t come all that often, so taking advantage is a must for sports fans.
The league saw 34 current or former players drafted in 2022 alone, with an additional ten players signing free-agent contracts after the draft. Four players from the Waves, three from the Gulls, and one from the Schooners were selected in the 2022 draft, and a total of 1,015 NECBL players have gone in the last 13 drafts combined.
The earliest pick in 2022 was shortstop Zach Neto, who went 13th overall to the Los Angeles Angels and played the 2021 summer season with the North Adams SteepleCats. Some of the top players to come through the league in the past include Joe Nathan, Stephen Strasburg, and Jeremy Peña.
An Exciting Part of Your South County Vacation
Getting out to a game or two during your time in South County not only allows you to experience some local culture but also presents the rare opportunity to see some of the best young baseball players in the world play up close.
Many of these players will undoubtedly play pro in the near future, so watching them ply their craft at a small park is something you’ll still be talking about long after your Rhode Island vacation.