NEWPORT, R.I. - Newport Gulls skipper Mike Coombs will represent the Southern Division as manager for the 2025 NECBL All-Star Game. The game will take place in White River Junction, Vermont, on Sunday, July 20th, the home of the Upper Valley NightHawks.

The 2025 All-Star Game will be Coombs' 9th time in 14 NECBL seasons being tapped to manage an all-star squad, adding to an already illustrious career. As of Saturday, July 12th, Newport leads the Southern Division by one game after beating the Bristol Blues 10-7 on Friday, July 11th at Cardines Field, to move to 20-10 through 30 games.

Coombs was the manager of last year's all-star game for the Eastern Division when the New England League still had a three-division format and split teams by location. The Gulls' manager led his all-star squad to a 3-0 win vs. the Western Division at Muzzy Field in Bristol, CT.

It's the third-straight season a Newport Gulls manager has led an all-star squad, with Coombs being the manager last season and 2023 Joel Cooney Manager of the Year, Frank Holbrook, doing so two summers ago. 

The all-star festivities kick off at noon on Sunday, July 20th, at Maxfield Sports Complex with a softball game featuring members of team executives, interns, and personnel.The NECBL home run derby is at 2:40 p.m., streaming on NECBL+. The all-star game will commence at 5:10 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+ beginning at 5:00 p.m.