Perhaps a handful of the hundreds of kids who gathered in front of West New York City Hall on April 25 for the annual Little League Parade knew of the championship teams of the early 1960s, when West New York was a powerhouse that rivaled big league teams like the New York Yankees.
Most of the kids simply grinned and said they were excited about winter being over and getting their chance to play.
Nearly every town has its celebration, bringing out family and friends to kick off a season that will see young players compete. All the players want to win, but few previous teams actually make it all the way to the Little League World Series.
“This is very important to these kids.” – Mayor Felix Roque
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The West New York Little League, in conjunction with the town of West New York’s Recreation Department, holds the season Little League Parade.
“It’s a tradition,” said Mayor Felix Roque who took the walk with the youngsters from Town Hall on 60th Street to the Little League field on 54th Street near Broadway.
This year the town of West New York has installed new lighting to the Little League field.
While West New York has begun to diversify since the early 1960s when a good portion of its population was Cuban, many remaining Cuban families still relate to what amounts to Cuban’s national past time.
Roque was born in Cuba before coming to the United States. So was Rep. Albio Sires, former WNY mayor.
Although Sires became a college basketball star, he still threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Although West New York gave birth to only one professional baseball player Vito Valentinetti (who played for the Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators and other teams,) many Cuban-born baseball players made their home in West New York over the years.
Four years ago, former New York Yankee pitcher Rick Cerone joined the parade help kick off the season.
Overseen by Little League President Victor Tapia, league provides a haven for kids between the ages of 4 and 18. This year there are about 360 kids in the program including nearly 90 girls in nearly two dozen teams.
“This is very important to these kids,” Roque said as he greeted the crowd, donning his own baseball hat for the walk to the field.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.