Little League Kicks Off Season, Parades Down Washington Street

The Hoboken Little League season officially kicked off Saturday morning with a parade through town. More than 400 youngsters marched from the Elks Club at 10th and Washington Streets to the Stevens Park Little League Field on 5th Street.

The Hoboken Redwings marching band led the way, followed by the Little League softball teams. This is the first time in the league's 59-year history that girls softball teams joined the boys. While there has long been recreation softball in the mile square, this is the first year the teams are incorporated into the Little League.

Leah Epstein, 12, remembers watching her older brothers march in the parade. This year, it's her turn. "It's cool," she said, "because now they'll be watching me."

Coach Dean Kemph said his girls were most excited about the free hot-dogs that all the players were getting after the parade.

This is also the first year the minor division (ages 7 and 8) is incorporated into the league. They have marched in the parade in the past, but not in recent years. 

"More than anything, we're excited for the baseball season to start," said minor division Coach Maria Marrero. "The boys can't wait to start playing."

Marrero coaches the 2009 minor division champions, Raia's Rangers. One of her players, Benny Love, 7, is predicting "another championship season" even though they have some new kids on the team.

Hoboken mom Laura Kuhn is also excited for the season to start. Her son, Jake, 9, plays on Mas Demolition. This will be his first year in the majors. "It's fun. The Little League is one of the bigger things in Hoboken, and everybody knows each other. Being in the majors very exciting because they have all of this, they have a draft, the coaches are good, they really care about the players."

There are 12 teams in the major league division (ages 9-12) and eight in the minors (ages 7-9). There are four 10-and-under softball teams; four 12-and-under and five Babe Ruth teams.

Shannon McGorty, 10, was excited to be at the parade with all of her friends. Her teammate and friend Blake Faucher, 10, was looking forward to seeing all the different uniforms.

"It's fun to parade through the streets with your team," added Emory Kemph, 11.

After the parade, all of the teams were introduced to a cheering crowd at the Stevens Park field where Mayor Dawn Zimmer threw out the ceremonial first pitch of the season.

"I wish you all a fantastic season," Zimmer told the crowd. " Let's play ball!" Zimmer said to the crowd.