Boys and girls in Little League, ages 6 to 12, walked a mile down Broadway in West New York for their opening day parade before playing the first game of the season on Saturday, April 16.
Eighteen teams of uniformed players lined up from youngest to oldest, with the West New York Youth Police Academy leading them toward Memorial Stadium. When they got there, everyone circled around the baseball diamond to receive awards for last year’s team winners.
Resident Julio Carigga came to see his daughter walk in the parade and participate in her first game of the season. His daughter, Samantha Carigga, 7, plays for the West New York Housing team. He said her team has been practicing three weeks for the game.
“This is her first year playing baseball,” he said, “She played softball before.”
He added, “West New York does a great job every year for the kids.”
“West New York does a great job every year for the kids.” – West New York Resident Julio Carigga
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“This is their third year playing for West New York, but this is their first year playing in Little League,” she said, “Last year they were in the minors.”
Her sons Michael and Cesar Pereira, 10, play for Commissioner Cirillo’s team. “They love to go to the parade,” she added.
Pereira said that for the first game, “They practiced for two weeks from 5 to 7 at Memorial Field.”
Pereira also added, “I’d like to thank Coach Mark for all his time and effort.”
Board of Directors President Victor Japia and Vice President Maite Fernandez were involved in the organizing and planning. On top of that they cleaned the field, and ordered trophies and uniforms. They also got Mike Alonso, a little league player and winner of the 1966 Little League World Series, to speak in honor of the 65th year since the Little League World Series.
Samantha Meyers can be reached at samantham@hudsonreporter.com .