McCarthy Field
Encyclopedia
McCarthy Field is a baseball
stadium
in West Warwick, Rhode Island
. The field is located in Riverpoint Park, where the north and south branches of the Pawtuxet River
merge.
The ballpark was constructed and mainly suited for high school, and amateur baseball. However in 1996 it would host minor league baseball
for the first time. The newly formed Independent Northeast League (now known as the Can-Am League) was looking to expand and the Rhode Island Tiger Sharks
were formed.
The park was not really suited for such a high level of baseball as the left and right field lines are only about 300 feet from home plate, and dead center field is only 366 feet. The team finished 19-61 and averaged about 200 fans per game. The team would not return for the 1997 season
.
However, also in 1996
the New England Collegiate Baseball League
was looking to expand and West Warwick was chosen to host a team. The stadium would now play host to the Rhode Island Reds
. The Reds played 2 seasons at the stadium before moving to Cranston, Rhode Island
and becoming the Rhode Island Gulls
.
Once again, in 2001
the NECBL looked to expand, and West Warwick was picked to host a team. The new Riverpoint Royals
would play at McCarthy field. The Royals would play for 4 seasons at the field, however they lacked sufficient attendance numbers and in 2005
the NECBL was set to have an un-balanced schedule with 13 teams in the league. The decision was made to eliminate the Royals from the league.
The stadium has moved back to its roots since the 2004 season
, mainly playing host to high school and amateur games and hosting games for small college teams in the fall.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
in West Warwick, Rhode Island
West Warwick, Rhode Island
West Warwick is a town in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 29,191 at the 2010 census.West Warwick was incorporated in 1913, making it the youngest town in the state. Prior to 1913, the town, situated on the western bank of the Pawtuxet River, was the population and...
. The field is located in Riverpoint Park, where the north and south branches of the Pawtuxet River
Pawtuxet River
The Pawtuxet River is a river in the U.S. state of Rhode Island. It flows and drains a watershed of . There are four dams along the river's length.-Course:...
merge.
The ballpark was constructed and mainly suited for high school, and amateur baseball. However in 1996 it would host minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
for the first time. The newly formed Independent Northeast League (now known as the Can-Am League) was looking to expand and the Rhode Island Tiger Sharks
Rhode Island Tiger Sharks
The Rhode Island Tiger Sharks were a former Northeast League minor-league baseball team, located in West Warwick, Rhode Island. The Northeast League was an independent league and as such none of the teams in it were affiliated with Major League Baseball teams...
were formed.
The park was not really suited for such a high level of baseball as the left and right field lines are only about 300 feet from home plate, and dead center field is only 366 feet. The team finished 19-61 and averaged about 200 fans per game. The team would not return for the 1997 season
1997 NECBL season
The 1997 NECBL season was the fourth season of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The league added a new franchise from Torrington, Connecticut, the Torrington Twisters. The league's Waterbury, Connecticut franchise dropped out after three seasons.In the semifinal playoff rounds,...
.
However, also in 1996
1996 NECBL season
The 1996 NECBL season was the third season of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The league added a franchise in West Warwick, Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Reds...
the New England Collegiate Baseball League
New England Collegiate Baseball League
The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a 12-team collegiate summer baseball league founded in 1993 and sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League Baseball. Each NECBL team plays an eight-week, 42-game schedule during June and July, with a playoff in early August...
was looking to expand and West Warwick was chosen to host a team. The stadium would now play host to the Rhode Island Reds
Riverpoint Royals
The Riverpoint Royals was a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League from 1996 to 2004. The team was known as the Rhode Island Reds from 1996 to 1999 before going on hiatus for the 2000 season and returning the following year....
. The Reds played 2 seasons at the stadium before moving to Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, Rhode Island
Cranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 80,387 at the 2010 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
and becoming the Rhode Island Gulls
Rhode Island Gulls
The Rhode Island Gulls were a team in the United States Basketball League . They have many notable former players such as Manute Bol, Spud Webb, John "Hot Rod" Williams, Arnie Duncan, and Muggsy Bogues....
.
Once again, in 2001
2001 NECBL season
The 2001 NECBL season was the eighth season of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The league expanded to ten franchises with the addition of a second New Hampshire franchise, the Concord Quarry Dogs of Concord, New Hampshire. Also, the league's West Warwick, Rhode Island franchise...
the NECBL looked to expand, and West Warwick was picked to host a team. The new Riverpoint Royals
Riverpoint Royals
The Riverpoint Royals was a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League from 1996 to 2004. The team was known as the Rhode Island Reds from 1996 to 1999 before going on hiatus for the 2000 season and returning the following year....
would play at McCarthy field. The Royals would play for 4 seasons at the field, however they lacked sufficient attendance numbers and in 2005
2005 NECBL season
The 2005 NECBL season was the twelfth season of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The league reduced its membership from thirteen teams to twelve teams with the league's West Warwick, Rhode Island franchise, the Riverpoint Royals, dropping out of the league...
the NECBL was set to have an un-balanced schedule with 13 teams in the league. The decision was made to eliminate the Royals from the league.
The stadium has moved back to its roots since the 2004 season
2004 NECBL season
The 2004 NECBL season was the 11th season in the history of the New England Collegiate Baseball League. The league's Middletown, Connecticut franchise, the Middletown Giants, moved to Holyoke, Massachusetts and became the Holyoke Giants...
, mainly playing host to high school and amateur games and hosting games for small college teams in the fall.