50 and Counting: RBSA Gears Up for Another Parade

Perhaps the largest youth sports organization in the county is embarking on yet another annual parade this Saturday, a tradition that dates back at least 50 years.

Organizers of the Ridgewood Baseball Softball Association (RBSA) haven't been able to pin an exact date, but can trace the march from the west side train station through Vets Park since the days of T-Birds.

"As the president, I'm usually the first one in and I get to see them coming down stretched from Maple to Ridgewood Ave," said Jim Albano, president of the youth organization. "It's an unbelievable scene."

The parade on Saturday begins at 9 a.m. from the , circling through much of Ridgewood's downtown before funnelling to Vets Field. There are about 1,800 youth in the RBSA, so expect big crowds and some traffic closures.

This year also includes an important parade with a special Grand Marshall, Albano says. The organization is asking that parade participants bring one non-perishable item to the train station, to be donated to the (SSA).

"We were thinking the...group goes completely unnoticed in the town," Albano said. "We thought it would be great to honor them, especially this year. The times have changed. We used to send food out to urban areas but there are people at home, today, that could use that stuff."

A sign will be marked directing parade-goers to donate at the small SSA headquarters building by the train station.

Following the parade parents will find the Family Fair at , where concession stands, contests, clinics and more are set up, according to the RBSA website.

Parents can have their children sign up for the free Child ID program, which includes an information card and fingerprinting.

Once safe and secure, the kids can test their hitting and throwing skills in front of professional scouts and former players. According to the RBSA, Cleveland Indians Scout Dan Gilligan and former Texas Ranger Keith Stamler will assess players at the Vets South Field.

Professional Baseball Inc. will also put fielders' ability to the test with its "famous" high pop machine.

Naturally, the Ridgewood version of MLB's Pitch, Hit & Run contest will showcase players' five tool skills. Age groups are broken up for baseball and softball players – 7/8, 9/10,11/12, 13/14. Finalists have the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including Team Championships at Major League ballparks and the National Finals at the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.

No Danny Almonte's are welcome – participants must have a copy of their birth certificate and also sign out the registration form prior to the competition.

Lastly, the RHS baseball and softball teams will be running clinics on Saturday. The boys will occupy the 90'" field at Vets and the girls will host the annual Pony Tail Clinic for 3rd and 4th grade girls at Willard Field. Both clinics run from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Any questions should be directed to Tony Barbera at tvbarbera@sbcglobal.net or 201-445-1880.