The Bayonne 12-year-old Little League All Stars were honored with a parade on Sunday after a historic summer that saw them reach the Little League World Series. The team, the first from the peninsula to reach the World Series, was celebrated by residents who lined the streets and filled the Little League complex.
Just before 1 p.m., Bayonne police stopped traffic at the corner of Broadway and Ninth Street for the parade. Two floats carried the All Stars as a siren sounded, marking the start of the procession. Residents showed their support with signs reading “Bayonne vs. Everybody” and “14A All the Way.” Players threw mini balls to the crowd, with some becoming increasingly competitive in doing so, prompting assistant coach Jaime Rincon to urge them to “Easy, easy!”
The parade was escorted by fire trucks, an ambulance, and police SUVs to the Little League complex, where commissioner Roger Malone described the turnout as “insane,” noting the full parking lot despite it being the opening day of the NFL season. Gallagher, a rock and roll band, performed, and each player was announced. Mayor Sharon Ashe-Nadrowski commended the team for their 15 consecutive wins before being eliminated, stating, “You put Bayonne on the map, and people know we're more than just a bridge. Thank you for that. Thank you for representing us with such class.”
Former sporting stars from Bayonne also attended, including boxer Chuck Wepner, McDonald’s All-American Corey Stokes, and former NFL player Kenny Britt. Stokes, wearing a “Bayonne vs. Everybody” T-shirt, helped his sons get autographs from the players, saying, “I've never seen anything like this. It's a wonderful thing to see. This is a team thing, and the future is looking brought for the youth in Bayonne.”
The team’s success has also spurred a surge in merchandise sales, with over 6,000 T-shirts printed to help cover travel costs incurred during their run to the Metro regional championship and the World Series. The non-profit organization running the sales has expanded to include hoodies, car magnets, and pins. Malone stated, “We're now a full retail business. I didn't expect to be this.” The players have spent the last two and a half weeks resting, fulfilling appearance requests, and starting school.
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