The Olneyville Temperance Cadets began play as a semi-professional baseball club in the Rhode Island State League. Though short lived, the club provided an opportunity for Providence base ball fans to enjoy the game after the city lost its National League franchise, the Providence Grays in 1885.

The Cadets, who were sponsored by a local militia group in Olneyville, charged an admission fee of fifteen-cents, and played home games at Merino Park. According to news articles
the club often played to crowds typically numbering over 1,000.  In 1889, the Cadets won the Rhode Island State League Championship.

In the spring of 2008, local ballplayers revived the Cadets and began playing by the rules and customs of 1886, when it took seven balls to walk, foul balls were not strikes and large fielder’s gloves were not in use.  The club joined New England Vintage Base Ball, a federation of clubs throughout the region who are dedicated to playing historical base ball. The Cadets finished on top of the East Division of NEVB with a record of 7-2 in 2008.

In 2008 the club played home games at Porter Field in Warwick, RI. Efforts are being undertaken to bring the club back to the Olneyville neighborhood by the beginning of the 2009 season.

If you would like to get involved with the club as a player, umpire
or sponsor, contact us using the information on the contact page of this site.

Jesse Lee (photo by Curt Allen).



Illustration by Ray Shaw.