March 30^th, 2014: Hoboken, NJ – Baseball returns to Hoboken!  Just as the major league season is about to start, New Jersey Hitmenofficials announced the move of their Hi-A affiliate, the Union City Hillers, to Hoboken, NJ.

Various street parties were held this past weekend in celebration of the news, as fans of baseball are just happy to have a team back in town.  Hoboken is considered by many to be the birthplace of baseball.  The first organized game of baseball was held back in 1846 at Elysian Fields.  Only a plaque remains in the housing complex now sits where the field once was, but the spirit of baseball still lives strong.

The official press release gave this reason for the move: “The Hitmen are undergoing a restructuring in order to breathe new life and fans into all our organization’s ballparks and teams.  Bringing a feeling of uniformity to the franchise is our goal.  We are going with a classy look and feel for our teams.  We started with the Hitmen’s jersey and colors and our minor league affiliates will eventually follow suit.  When you think of the Hitmen, we want you to think of class.”

The new team name, the Hoboken Crooners, is in dedication to Hoboken-born crooner and actor Frank Sinatra.  Further honoring Frank, the new field nearing completion in Hoboken is rightfully called the Rat Pack Park after the group of actors and singers that were Frank’s friends.  There are even plans of putting up a bronze statue of Sinatra in front of the new park, although with the beginning of the Hi-A season quickly approaching, the statue will come at a later date.

Fans are abuzz with the news and can’t wait to see the Crooners start playing.  I am more excited about the news that the organization’s other minor league affiliates are probably soon to follow suit.  Until further news of changes are made public, we will see you in Hoboken this April!