From The Ship To The Sandlot

    This summer, the Newport Gulls have welcomed two unique additions to their roster,
Patrick Walsh and Chris Klug. Both players are current Midshipmen who have traded their dress
whites for Gulls jerseys after receiving a short leave from the United States Naval Academy to
take part in some of the summer collegiate baseball action. While military academies were
historically hesitant to dedicate time for players to join premier summer leagues, programs like
the Gulls provide a critical bridge for these athletes to develop their skills before returning to
their military duties.

    Chris Klug is Newport’s center fielder who brings considerable speed to the Gulls’
outfield. Out of Bishop Chatard High School in Indiana, Klug was ranked the top shortstop in the
state for the Class of 2024 before he went to the Naval Academy. Klug started 20 games and
demonstrated a keen eye at the plate, racking up 13 walks and four stolen bases despite battling
injuries. For the Gulls in the 2026 summer season, he has continued to be a threat on the
basepaths, recording four stolen bases and four runs scored in just five games. Notably, Klug
played a key role in the Gulls' opening day tie against the Valley Blue Sox, leading off the ninth
inning with a single that eventually led to the team's first run of the season

    Also joining the Gulls is Patrick Walsh, the team’s first baseman out of Huntersville,
North Carolina. Out of Christ the King High School in North Carolina, Walsh was a two-time
All-State player and the Catawba Shore Athletic Conference Player of the Year twice. Standing
at 6’1” and weighing 210 lbs., Walsh is a left-handed batter with a strong and rich sports
background. His father and uncle both played for Catholic University’s baseball program, and his
mother played softball at Eckerd College. In his early appearances for the Gulls this summer,
Walsh has recorded a .250 batting average with one hit in four at-bats during conference play.

    A Short-Lived Summer For Walsh and Klug, these "short-lived summers" are a rare
opportunity to focus entirely on the diamond before the rigorous demands of the Naval Academy
resume. Their presence in Newport highlights the growing relationship between service
academies and elite summer leagues, allowing midshipmen to test their mettle against top-tier
collegiate talent from across the country.