PATERSON, N.J. ― If you listen intently ― really concentrate, from the centerfield bleachers at the recently restored Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey ― you can hear the water crashing down onto the rocks at the historic Great Falls of the Passaic River.
Those falls, which represent one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, played a central role in the industrial development of New Jersey during our nation’s formative years.
A few hundred yards away, within the walls of the stadium, and from those same centerfield stands, upon gazing out at the field ― the centerpiece of a redevelopment project which cost north of $100 million, you can envision the excitement, energy, athletic acumen, and showmanship that transpired some 90 years ago ― on the real estate situated just a few feet away.
On this hallowed ground, and for over a decade, Negro Leagues icons like the preeminent power hitter of his era, and perhaps of all-time, Josh Gibson electrified crowds, on a nightly basis.
On this location, fans witnessed Satchel Paige’s iconic windup, which entailed one or more revolutions of his famed right arm before delivering his famous “hesitation pitch.”
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Here, speedster Cool Papa Bell, who as legend has it, would flick off his bedroom light switch and be under the covers and asleep before the lights went out, wowed all that were in attendance.
If only those massive trees which peer down onto the field from above the brand-new parking garage located between third base and the left field foul pole, could talk.
What history those trees have witnessed!
In fact, more than 20 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame played on this field, which on Sunday hosted the first professional baseball game since the mid-1940’s, when the New York Black Yankees of the Negro National League called the ballpark on Liberty and Maple Streets home.
While the alignment of the field has been altered, upon entry into the stadium, you can’t help but feel the history of the place emanating from the freshly painted walls and throwback art deco accoutrements.
The New Jersey Jackals, a member of the independent Frontier League, are the newest residents of this former Negro Leagues field; one of only a very few structures which remain from the Leagues, which ceased operations in the mid-1960s.
This season, the Jackals relocated four miles north; from their previous home on the campus of Montclair State University.
Their first home game was against the Sussex County Miners, coincidentally a team also owned by Jackals owner, Al Dorso.
A MAGICAL PLACE:Hinchliffe Stadium, a Negro Leagues ballpark, being restored to its former glory
First game atmosphere
Donna Muscarella and her brother Anthony were unofficially the first of about 1,000 paying customers to enter Hinchcliffe Stadium to watch the much- anticipated home opener.
And for Donna, it was an emotional experience.
“I’ve watched this place crumble,” said Muscarella. “I’ve crawled through the holes in the fence when it was illegal to do so, just to be able to walk on the sacred ground graced by people like Larry Doby, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Martin Dihigo; and to be able to come back and see the place completely revitalized – it’s just goosebumps.”
At 4:42 pm EDT former MLB vet and current Jackals starter Vin Mazzaro hurled the game’s first pitch, which was immediately deposited over the wall in left center field.
That homer, off the bat of the Sussex County’s Edwin Mateo, was the first of ten round-trippers the teams combined to hit. The final score was Jackals 10, Miners 6.
It was a successful home debut in more ways than one for New Jersey.
“We were just very excited for it (the game),” said Mazzaro. “There’s a lot of history here. Good vibes here.”
Marc Glenn brought his 9-year-old son to the game, and like Mazzaro considered Sunday’s game memorable.
“It’s a historic spot,” said Glenn. “The falls are here (and) now they got some entertainment here. I hope people feel the vibe.”
But while most of the reviews were positive, some in attendance took issue with communication between the front office and long-time fans from Montclair, as well as the fact that Hinchcliffe now has turf instead of grass.
Still, according to Muscarella this was a “wonderful day” to pay tribute to those who persevered.“Baseball is wonderful, but this is more than a baseball story,” said Muscarella. “This is a story about the American dream.”
Now that the Jackals home opener at Hinchliffe Stadium is in the books, attention turns to its long-term goals.
For those associated with the team and city, the objectives vary. For the players, the goal is clear: “Win a lot of games,” said Rusber Estrada, a Jackals catcher who topped out at High-A. “I would define that as having a successful season.”
The team’s GM, Bobby Jones, an ex-MLB hurler for six seasons, has other aspirations.
His objectives: “To go through a full season where everyone is safe, (where) we have great crowds every night, (and) people understand that the Jackals are in town and that we are a positive.”
While Jones, who pitched for the Rockies, Mets, Padres, and Red Sox, would presumably love to win a title, he indicated that isn’t mandatory when evaluating the campaign.
“Just because you win a championship doesn’t mean it was a success,” said Jones. “All those other things (previously mentioned) are a lot more important right now than just wins and losses.”
Dorso, a Paterson native, who was recently working alongside construction workers putting the finishing touches on the stadium, has similar criteria.
“We have to play (and) it’s a success,” said Dorso. “We come here, we open well, it’s a success.”
Both Jones and Dorso also view the Jackals and the renovated Hinchliffe Stadium as potentially significant pieces to a rebirth for Paterson.
“We’re like a guinea pig for a lot of things that could be here,” said Jones. “We’ll get to be the first one out here to show people that they can be safe; that Paterson is beautiful.”
“I hope that this brings some attention and some development (to Paterson),” said Dorso. “I think it will be great for Paterson.”
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh has similar visions for the “Silk City.”
“We are envisioning restaurants (and) a river walk is being built,” said Sayegh. “I feel like there will be a multiplier effect by restoring this stadium. This is where our renaissance will take place!”
The future of Hinchliffe Stadium
There may be another exciting benefit of having a historically significant brand-new ballpark.
“I think baseball (MLB) is going to have a regular season game there in a year or two,” said USA TODAY Sports’ Bob Nightengale.
Harold Reynolds, the two-time All-Star second baseman and current MLB Network host, could also envision that scenario coming to fruition.
“We got a game played in Iowa, they’re playing another one in Alabama now, you never know,” said Reynolds. “I think it could happen.”
While the goals and benefits are vast and varied, Ron Teasley, one of the last surviving Negro Leagues players, also has thoughts on what he’d like to have emanate from the renovated stadium and its new residents.
The 96-year-old Detroit resident never competed at Hinchliffe Stadium, but he’s excited about its future, and the impact it can make on the game.
He recently told USA TODAY Sports, “It’s a wonderful thing. Hopefully it will start encouraging black kids to play baseball again.”
