Wednesday is the opener. Tuesday from 4:30 to 6:30 is a "meet the players" open house, with free food from the local restuarants.

This is the team's 8th year and the 7th in Newark. The first year (98) they played in Bridgeport, waiting for the stadium to be built. In that time I have seen major Leaguers Ruben Sierra (Yankees), Carlos Bierga, Jose Conseco, Ricky Henderson, Jose Lima, Jim Leyritz, Pete Incavilia, and Bobby Hill, play right in front of my eyes. Some of the managers have included Buddy Harrelson, Sparky Lyle and Bill Madlock.

We have gone to minor leagues games in Montclair, Trenton, and Sussex County, but our heart has never left Newark. Can't get away from it. I pass the stadium on route 280 twice a day going to and coming back from work.

Around 6 o'clock I was travelling home on route 280 and the spirit moved me to exit at the Sixth and Orange Street exit sign to take a quick look around the old "hood".

Drove down Third Street and couldn't miss the E. Alma Flagg Elementary School on Seventh Avenue between Third and Fourth Street. Where did all the kids come from to make such a big school a necessity? Could it be the Academy Spires Apartments? Must be. Don't like that no window exterior. Looks like a prison. Funny thing, when I started my teaching career in 1969 at Hawkins Street School, Mrs. Flagg had just left as principal. Now she has a school named for her on my street.

Big doings at the tennis courts. Had to be nearly 200 people playing and watching six volley ball games going on between men who appeared to be of a South American ethinticity. Women were barbecuing food on charcoal grills. They seemed to be having a good time.

I drove down Second Street and was surprised how nice the block between 7th Avenue and Orange Street looked. The old Abruzzo homestead never looked that good forty years ago.

Orange Street was, I guess depressing. About 25 people milling around the former Roseville Deli shouting at each other about something. Three men with glazed eyes barely being able to hold themselves up at the intersection ofRoseville and Orange Street

It reminded me of the song "My Old Town" by Bruce, until I saw an opsis in a desert of neglect: the still beautful Saint Rose of Lima Church and School buildings, just as elegant as ever..I got back on 280 with a warm feeling.