Little League Field In Hoboken Celebrates 60th Anniversary

By Dennis Sevano

Stringing together as many moments flashing back to 1960 as the time-honored aging Little League field in Hoboken was being reconstructed on the same plot of land closer to Stevens Tech.

The old playing ground left behind the lingering, moldy foulness of the nearby bathrooms that seemed to blur every thrown pitch combined with the cloud cover beers and shots from River Street’s Barbary Coast taverns. Yet we always felt a sense of comfort and safety with Sts. Peter & Paul Church on Fourth Street.

The piers and docks were a reminder of “Terry Malloy” and Father John Corridan from the Oscar winning film, “On the Waterfront."

The American Export and Holland American Line were still a glimpse away from the New Field on 5th Street, resting in the Hudson River.

Hitchhiking on the previous year’s significant awards of 1959, the USA Pop Warner Football Champs and the Little League Hudson County All Star baseball trophy called “District 7”, the Blue Ribbon cutting brought together two heart-warming times for the City of Hoboken.

Play Ball! Putting aside the gala the three divisions of Little League baseball were played with teams like the Smith-Owens, ILA, Nelsons, Gallos, VFW, Casalino’s, to name just a few, with the PAL as the team to top.

The two key players on the PAL were Bob Wendelken and Ed Radigan, the pitcher and catcher. Robert had to produce his birth certificate since he was bigger, stronger and smarter than most. Ed was the chatterbox friendly catcher, the pitcher and catcher duet.

Yes, there were cheerleaders from various squads and large crowds. The pitching mound belonged to Bob who threw too many no-hitters while Ed clubbed hit after hit, while the manager, Mr. Joe Timothy, a Maxwell House worker, wore a full PAL baseball uniform. The team went on to win 19 games while losing two to the Smith-Owens with Tommy Murray and Joe Grazioso. Joe throwing off-speed pitches and slow curves keeping the PAL team off balance. Tragically, after the season, Joe was killed on his way to the batting cages on route 1-9 towards Lincoln Park in Jersey City.
The three stellar teams, the Lions, the Casalinos and of course, PAL, met for the championship rounds. The Casalinos with Barone, Brennan, Salvetti and Curko were a challenge to the lead team. One inning, Curko and Company loaded the bases with no outs and fast-ball Bob proceeded to thrown nine consecutive strikes. Mr. Chiocco, the legendary coach of basketball and the team, was heard muttering expletives loud enough to wake up the seniors at nearby Steven Tech.

PAL won and met the Lions for the First City Championship on the new field. A public address system was installed to announce the final with Lieutenant Elwood Walker, a huge youth sports’ advocate, doing his Bob Costas play-by-play call.

The crowd was enormous and the Lions had Matty Tavaglione, Billy Smith and their “Ace”, Tommy Moore. In a close game, Wendelken out-pitched Moore and the PAL went on to win that First City Championship- the year 1960!

All went to Gold’s Luncheonette on Tenth and Washington Streets to celebrate while a few went to demur at the Town Lunch.

In the end, the New Field was named after Sgt. William Feskens, a Distinguished Service Cross recipient who lost his life in Vietnam in 1969. Later in 1972 the city, state and baseball country made national news when the first female, Maria Pepe, challenged the all-boys teams playing with the Young Dems, coached and sponsored by Carmen Ronga and James Farina.

Now the Feskens Field has lights and a batting cage named after Maria, someone with whom Terry Malloy and Father John Corridan would gladly share the Oscar.

This essay was written by Dennis Sevano. The views expressed here are the author's own.