Here at the Rhode Island Sports Commission, we like to say that Rhode Island is small in size, but big on sports. With professional teams like the Providence Bruins and Rhode Island FC, and college athletics like University of Rhode Island, Brown University and Providence College, there's almost always a home team to cheer for. And that's nothing new. Rhode Island has a rich sports history and has been home to a number of athletic firsts and records.
Newport was considered the cradle of "les sports elegants" as the home of polo, America's Cup yachting champions, the U.S. Open Tennis Championships and U.S. Open Golf Championships.
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Polo was played for the first time in the United States in 1876.
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The first National Lawn Tennis Championship (precursor to the U.S. Open) was played in 1881 at the Newport Casino.
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In 1895, the state hosted the first open golf tournament.
Providence has been home to many teams over the years, and boasts two firsts in baseball and football.
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In 1879, the Messer Street Grounds, home to Major League Baseball's Providence Grays, became the first venue to install a screen behind home plate to protect fans.
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The Providence Steam Roller played the first NFL night game under lights in 1929.
And, we certainly can't forget that the Pawtucket Red Sox hold the record for the longest professional game in sports history. The April 18, 1981, game between the Paw Sox and the Rochester Red Wings started around 8 p.m. that night. Eight hours and 32 innings later, officials finally suspended the game around 4 a.m. The two teams, including players like Wade Boggs, Marty Barrett and Cal Ripken, Jr., returned to McCoy Stadium on June 23, where the final 33rd inning ended in a Paw Sox win.
