On my recent trip to New Jersey for ABF Freight, I took some personal time to walk to a nearby park about a block or two from my hotel. This incredible park had baseball fields, a walking track, Little League Fields, a football field, and a multi use turf area. The park, Riggin Memorial Field, was named after Captain Charles Holland Riggin, a U.S. Army serviceman who was killed in action in France in World War I. Prior to his years of service, Captain Riggin was a school teacher and eventually became the principal of local East Rutherford High School. Below is the plaque that honors Captain Riggin, his life story recapped, and his military record. Amazing that the field and the park honor his legacy over 100 years passed his passing in 1918.

When I spotted the baseball diamond (embedded in the synthetic turf), the backstop, the dugouts, home plate, the batter’s box lined, I was sort of hoping to catch a game or practice or home run derby between neighborhood friends. Instead, in the short right field to center field area, I watched a cricket game. Or practice, I’m not really sure what I watched but I know it was a cricket match or game or practice. I tried to follow along with the play, the windup, the racquet/bat that was used to strike the ball, the fielding, the players involved. Honestly, I was clueless and excited at the same time. I watched a few tosses or innings or whatever they call it, then moved on to other parts of the park.

I followed the perimeter of the park over to two Little League/youth baseball fields. Both fields looked like they were in good shape. Perhaps I just missed a practice or game, the fields looked like they were recently used by players and coaches. I discovered the fields belong to the East Rutherford Little League, established in 1951. Wow, an impressive and long running youth sports organization right there in NJ and I was psyched to spot it and check it out. I took a few photos of the baseball fields and a plaque honoring a local Little League mentor – “Coach Tom” Tom Schreiber. His plaque’s motto is something I love to read and share, especially when it comes to youth sports – “It’s all about the kids.”

Riggin Park was busy with walkers, joggers, cricket players, some parents and kids playing soccer, others playing catch. From what I could observe, it was a safe place for kids to play. The park honored a local military hero with a beautiful plaque at its entrance. And the East Rutherford Little League fields had the best sign I read all week, which I will quote here. Your kids are not playing for the Yankees, let them make mistakes, and encourage them to do their best. Overall, it was an awesome walk down to Riggin Field to check out all the cool sports and activities going on. And a very interesting East Rutherford baseball experience watching a live game of cricket.