A bit of brisk weather couldn’t stop Teaneck’s residents from celebrating the return of spring on Sunday, as hundreds came out to Milton Votee Park to take part in Teaneck Baseball Organization’s Opening Day festivities.
Despite temperatures hovering in the mid to high 40’s, players and fans of all ages took to the fields to enjoy some sunshine and welcome baseball back to the southeastern Bergen County town. The event featured a moon bounce and an obstacle course for the younger set, along with face painting and balloon animals. Players between the ages of seven and 14 years old also competed in Major League Baseball’s “Pitch, Hit & Run” skills competition, which saw them testing their speed around the basepaths, their hitting power and their ability to throw strikes from the Clubhouse Field mound. At stake was a chance to win a trip to the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego, California.
Attendees danced to music from the DJ throughout the afternoon, and paid their first visits to the Clubhouse Canteen for snacks and drinks. While ice cream sales were understandably down on this chilly Sunday, customers eagerly took advantage of the canteen’s new credit card payment option to sample hot dogs, french fries, Chopstix egg rolls, and other classic offerings.
Formal Opening Day ceremonies kicked off on Clubhouse Field at 1:00 pm. TBO President Yoni Lieber welcomed everyone to the 2016 season, one that promises to be another exciting chapter in TBO’s long history. Then, TBO alumna Jessie Gronowitz, daughter of longtime TBO board member Steven Gronowitz, dazzled the crowd with a beautiful and spirited rendition of our national anthem.
The organization next honored Sean Powers, of the Teaneck Recreation Department, with the delivery of the ceremonial first pitch of 2016 to TBO’s own Natan Solomon, member of the 2015 12U Fall Travel Baseball PBI Championship team. “We know that a lot of work goes into managing these fields and dealing with permits throughout each spring and summer,” said Lieber after the event. “We really wanted to recognize the Recreation Department, and Sean and Glenn Crockett in particular, for all that they do to make sure our kids have these terrific facilities available to them all season long.”
Following the first pitch, TBO welcomed town council members Dr. Henry Pruitt, Mohammed Hameeduddin and Mark Schwartz. Speaking on behalf of the council, Dr. Pruitt acknowledged TBO’s contributions to the town and its children, highlighting the opportunity youth baseball affords players to learn important values like teamwork.
Lieber then introduced the members of Teaneck’s 2015 12U Fall Travel Baseball PBI championship team. Coached by Chaim Schwartz, Ari Eckman and Adam Wall, Teaneck’s 12U all-star team was undefeated in the league. As part of the Opening Day festivities, Lieber unveiled the new 12U championship banner recently honoring the coaches and players.
The ceremonies also highlighted the league’s refurbished scoreboard, sponsored by The Rothenberg Law Firm (www.injurylawyer.com).
TBO teams played their official season openers around town throughout the day, with exciting results all around. In a just a few highlights, the day saw one-run victories for both Richards Manufacturing and The Jewish Link of New Jersey in the 9/10 division, while Cross River Bank fell to MW Event Lighting 7-2. In the 11/12 division, InjuryLawyer.com topped Rosenberg & Rosenberg by a score of 6-2, and the Law Offices of Moshie Solomon beat BSYD 5-2. In the “nightcap” on Clubhouse Field, Camp Lavi hung on for a 9-7 win over PressONE.net, which had the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the 6th. Meanwhile, in the Middle Girls division, Five Star Caterers shut out Alvin’s Pharmacy 8-0, and J&J Pharmacy beat Camp Dina 12-3.
By David Greenberg
