A team of 12-year old baseball players from Puerto Rico is in Newark to play against teams from around the city as part of a cultural exchange program sponsored by The North Ward Center.
The exchange program between the recreation department of the City of Guaynabo and The North Ward Center in Newark began more than 30 years ago to give children from both cities an opportunity to travel and experience each other’s cultures.
At a ceremony before the opening game Thursday, July 25 between Guaynabo and The North Ward Center, the teams exchanged gifts representing each other’s home towns.
A group of players representing the city’s other leagues – South Ward, Ironbound and Roberto Clemente – also attended the ceremony at the Stephen N. Adubato recreational complex in Branch Brook Park.
Stephen N. Adubato, who founded The North Ward Center in 1970, threw out the ceremonial first pitch. The North Ward Center team won the game 6-5 in extra innings.
Adubato was instrumental in getting the exchange program started along with Joseph DiVincenzo, the Essex County executive who was The North Ward Center’s recreation director at the time.
“This is one of the great traditions of Newark,” Adubato said. “Over the years, so many children have been able to participate. It’s a trip that the children remember for the rest of their lives.”
The Newark All-Stars, a team comprised of the best players from the four city baseball leagues, traveled to Puerto Rico in April.
Anthony Burke, who has been part of the exchange program for 30 years, said players are chosen not only based on their athletic skills, but their academic record as well.
“We pick kids who are respectful, responsible, good citizens and good students,” Burke said.
Rashard Casey, the director of The North Ward Center’s Youth Development and Recreation program, said the players look forward to traveling to Guaynabo all year.
“It’s a great way to motivate our players to not only work hard at becoming better baseball players, but to keep their grades up in school,” Casey said.
Adrianne Davis, the executive director of The North Ward Center, said the exchange program is a great experience for children from Newark and Puerto Rico.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide an opportunity for children from Puerto Rico to come to the United States to not only play baseball but learn a little about Newark and New Jersey and to interact with our children,” Davis said. “These exchange programs are so important to foster an understanding about our shared cultures.”
Over the weekend, Guaynabo played teams from the South Ward, Ironbound and Roberto Clemente little leagues.
On Friday, Guaynabo traveled to New York City, where they went sightseeing and shopping before catching a Yankees game. On Monday, they traveled to Dorney Park in Allentown, Pa.
The final game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30 at 6 p.m. at Branch Brook Park between Guaynabo and the Newark All-Stars.
