Hot Stove Auction Sets Off Newport Gulls Annual Fundraising

Spring fever was contagious Saturday night as the Newport Gulls held their annual "Hot Stove" event at the Newport Marriot to help raise the funds necessary to keep the non-profit baseball team running smoothly each year.

The event also served as an opportunity for the Gulls to publicly thank all the supportive families, volunteers, staff and fans who make the organization as successful as it is.

The Newport Gulls have a long-standing tradition in Newport. For those who may not know, they are a non-profit baseball team that is funded by sponsors and mainly staffed with volunteers who, year after year, show their tireless dedication and support.  

The Gulls play their home games every year at Cardines Field in Newport. The season draws devout fans and the games foster a family atmosphere.

Like any successful organization in sports, success starts with the owners. The Gulls have five: Chris Patsos, Ron Wesmoreland, Greg Fater, Mark Horan and Chuck Paiva, whose long-standing ties to baseball go back to his college years.  

The formula to running a successful organization continues with the volunteers who make up many of the staffed positions in the Gulls organization. Among those who volunteer are Salve Regina University seniors and communications majors Morgan Pittala and Katie Sullivan.

Host families are also crucial. Many local families graciously open up their homes during the Gulls' season and allow the players, who are mainly of college age, to stay with them throughout the season. After speaking to several of the families who host players, it became apparent the effect was mutually beneficial to all. One family spoke of how their five-year-old son wants to now play baseball after sharing his home with one of the players. The families often stay in touch with these players and forge a long-lasting bond.

The other main component is, of course, fundraising. The "Hot Stove" event is one of the organization's largest fundraisers every year.

Among the items up in the silent auction Saturday night were two Celtics tickets for seats two rows behind the Celtic bench, an autographed football signed by New England Patriots tackle Matt Light, an autographed Boston Celtics basketball signed by Kevin Garnett, Shaq, "The Truth" Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, who recently became the NBA's All Time Three-Point Leader.  There were several other impressive items: An autographed baseball by Ex-Red Sox player Bill "Spaceman" Lee, a fantastic Newport Gulls package that included tickets, shirts and memorabilia. Dinner packages to local restaurants, more sports-related items, and other miscellaneous items rounded out the offerings.

The "live" auction featured two of the most impressive items of the night: An autographed football signed by Super Bowl Champion coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, along with four Patriots tickets. This package ended up fetching $1,100.  

The other big ticket item was four tickets to an upcoming Red Sox game versus their rival, the New York Yankees, which went for $900.

The event was a smashing success, and many, many people left with smiles on their faces after winning such incredible items.  

The Newport Gulls 2011 season kicks off in June. For more information on the Newport Gulls, including how to volunteer, sponsor or host a player for the upcoming season, visit www.newportgulls.com. You can also reach Assistant General Manager Sam Glynn at (401) 845-6832 or  email him at sam@newportgulls.com.