6/20/2008:

Here’s a quick three-minute video of yesterdays “festivities.”

I took the opportunity to throw a classic Bugs Bunny baseball cartoon into the mix as well. Good times.


Hoboken Baseball Monument Ceremony from Hoboken411 on Vimeo.

6/19/2008 Update:

Get ready for the big ceremony today!

Of course, all this wouldn’t be possible without the effort put in by great people who do all the hard work (and not just cuiting ribbons). Such as Rick Repetti, Ricky “Bell” Belfiore, Jonathan, “Big Al,” Freddie Moret, and of course, the “voice” of the 11th Street Island Association, Margaret O’Brien!

Helmer’s will be giving away free soda and hot dogs as well!

Good times. Video later.

PHOTO GALLERY (HOLD MOUSE OVER IMAGE TO NAVIGATE – 5 PHOTOS IN THIS SET)

Previous updates after the jump…

6/17/2008 Update:

Excitement is mounting as the beloved baseball monument restoration has pretty much been completed! Good work, men, it looks brand new!

Fox 5’s Good Day New York was over at one particular bar/restaurant this morning giving them free publicity as well.

You might want to schedule a day off, as the “ribbon-cutting” event is scheduled for this Thursday, June 19th.

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5/13/2008:

Most of us have seen the precious baseball monument at the intersection of 11th and Washington, signifying the “First organized game of baseball – June 19, 1846″ played on Elysian Fields.

Many Hoboken411 readers have asked “what’s the deal with the plaque on the Baseball Monument over on 11th and Washington? Where is it? Was it stolen?”

Nope. It’s just slated to get “refurbished”… And apparently some baseball plaque ribbon-cutting/photo-op is going to take place on the “anniversary” on June 19, 2008. Whoo Hoo.

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What’s going on?

I’ve been trying to figure out what the current deal is with this monument.

The monument was created sometime in 1984. Above the proclamation, the plaque read “H.I.B.A.” (Hoboken Industry and Business Association), which I could find no reference to, and I believe eventually led to the current Hoboken Chamber of Commerce.

Many residents have noticed the plaque and monument had deteriorated over the years, and begged to have it restored. It fell on deaf ears. Until now (election campaigning beginning to pick up speed.)

Here is where I’m a bit confused. Now, it seems as if the Elysian Cafe is trying to get YOU, the residents of Hoboken, to pay for the restoration. They’re having some kind of $5 donation to “keep a Hoboken landmark looking good…” promotion. They’re also having a Mustache Contest, to “get in the spirit” of old school baseball styles.

While I think it’s nice to carry on the tradition of baseball and Hoboken (while having fun in the process, i.e., mustache contest), I’m not so sure the restoration should be on the shoulders of the residents. The original plaque was “donated” by the businesses, it should also be restored (and maintained) by the business in the area, as well as all over town.

Turning a famous historical tradition into a business opportunity, political maneuver and marketing event for one single business seems a bit shallow and selfish to me. Why not be fair, and get the other businesses in town to donate or “sponsor” the restoration as well? Then more than one business can “get credit” for the beautification. At the very least, Elysian Cafe (and other businesses) should “donate $1 per check” to the restoration process, instead of asking for donations.

Your thoughts?

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