"This is the biggest single program that we offer for the kids," said Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner. "It involves a lot of kids for a long period of time through the summer, and it is a vital part of the community. It's better to keep the kids busy and active than hanging out on the streets. It's one of the broadest recreation programs we have. It's important to keep that going."
Last Saturday night, the leagues had their annual Baseball Awards dinner and celebration at the Weehawken Elks Lodge #1456. More than 150 youngsters were treated to awards for winning respective championships or individual awards.
"It's a competitive league, and it's important that the kids get recognized for their achievements," said Cal Ripken League coordinator Art Strandberg. "They earn their awards, and it's great to see them get recognized. They get nice trophies, plaques and jackets for their hard work. A trophy or a plaque means so much to the kids. It's also satisfying for me to see their faces after they get an award. These kids are the cream of the crop."
The champions The respective league champions were presented with jackets for winning championships. The regular-season winner of the Cal Ripken Major League division was Skyline Realty, which won for a second straight year. Pizza Villa was the winner of the league playoff tournament, even though it entered the playoffs as the fourth seed.
"There was a lot of parity and competition in the league this year, which was good," Strandberg said. "It helps the kids prepare for life and definitely helps them in their baseball future."
The winner of the Babe Ruth regular season and tournament titles was the Weehawken Education Association Reds, which captured both league honors for a second straight season.
Trophies were also given to the individual honorees in each league.
In the Cal Ripken Major League, Jose Olivero was crowned as the league's Most Valuable Player. Damian Corredor was the winner of the Louis Ferullo Sportsmanship Award; David Strandberg was the Rookie of the Year; Jacob Romano was the Most Improved Player; and Jason Pineda was the league batting champion.
In the Babe Ruth League, Jack Montanile was named the league's MVP and batting champion. Steven Fernandez was the Rookie of the Year. Chris Dorman was the winner of the Ferullo Sportsmanship award, given in honor of the late First Ward Councilman and Deputy Mayor, who was a dedicated supporter of the town's youth baseball program for many years. Tony Dominguez was the winner of the Most Improved Player.
A community effort Turner said that the baseball program couldn't operate without the dedication of the entire town.
"We have about 30 volunteer coaches and parents who get involved," Turner said. "It's really a community event. The league gets bigger and bigger and we're able to take care of all of those kids. We had a great crowd for the event. The kids are really enthusiastic about it."
Strandberg said the kids anxiously await the annual awards dinner.
"It's amazing to see how much the acknowledgements and the trophies mean to the players," Strandberg said. "It's definitely satisfying to see the looks on their faces. I know we're doing the right thing. It's rewarding for me as well."
The Babe Ruth League is coordinated by Chris Verdon and John Dorman.
The awards dinner is funded by the money raised through the leagues' annual car washes, candy sales and the concession stand at the fields, as well as donations from the mayor and township council, as well as the Weehawken and You Civic Association.
"It's a great group effort," Strandberg said.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.
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