SRL Day at the Newark Bears
May 7, 2003

---

Thanks to John McCree, Bob Davis and the SRL alumni, the school's Eighth Grade got a memorable class trip to Riverfront Stadium to see the Atlantic League champion Newark Bears play the Nashua Pride. Additionally, several outstanding students from lower grades were rewarded with a day at the ballpark.  Some special events were arranged by the Bears organization, including the student's rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" and a chance to run the bases after the game.  Below is a montage of photos taken that day.  (It's a big file and may take a minute to load.)

 

Let's start at 12 O'Clock and go clockwise:  Our first look at Newark Riverfront Stadium, home of the Newark Bears. It's a gorgeous spring day, and the St. Rose mob waits off to the side while Bob and John meet with a Bears rep to work out the program. One O'Clock: students and alumni watch from pretty good seats near first base.  Astoundingly, no foul balls were hit our way all game.  Two O'Clock: Bears exec and former Yankee Rick Cerone stops by to greet the kids.  Four O'Clock: Also stopping by was mascot Ripp'n Ruppert , who fields a question from a student.  Must have answered in sign language, because he never made a peep.  Five O'Clock: Sometimes what's happening off the field can be just as interesting.  Here some students are mesmerized by the webmaster's between-innings dancing, which also attracted the attention of concessionaires, if not stadium security.  Six O'Clock: Event organizers John McCree and Bob Davis Jr., and SRLAA Chairman Susan Kemka enjoy the game.  Six-Thirty: Ruppert gives the webmaster a Bears hug.  I briefly considered yanking his big head off, but I was on my beast behavior.  Seven O'Clock: Rick Cerone wades into the crowd and exchanges high-fives.  Eight O'Clock: Cerone chats with John and Candida Esposito, SRL education coordinator. Ten O'Clock:  All-Star Rickey Henderson had just joined the team, and here he signs autographs.  His lead-off homer got the game off to a good start; the Bears won 4-2.  Eleven O'Clock: Rick Cerone poses for one more shot with the kids.  They had a great time and thanked the alumni for a fun day together at the ballpark.  Center: Seemingly sandwiched between the towers of the famous Stickel Bridge, Ruppert gathered the students for a group photo  -- a memento of SRL Day at the Newark Bears.  A large, framed copy of this montage is being presented to the school.  Photos: John F. Crowley, Susan Kemka.  Montage: Daniel Lane

 

Back to Main Page