Bloomfield's Mayer To Be Honored
At 16th North-South All-Star Game

Bob Mayer was always quite content to stay out of the limelight as he directed Bloomfield to much success as one of Essex County’s top softball coaches while while he amassed 561 victories in 33 seasons at the helm.

When some of the best players from the recently-completed high school season gather for this Monday night’s 16th New Jersey North-South Senior Softball All-Star Game on Mike Sheppard, Sr. Field at Ivy Hill Park in Newark, the legendary former Bengals head coach will also be cheered for,when he is introduced as this year’s ‘Honorary Coach’ for the annual all-star event organized by NJ Pride President and veteran Mount St. Dominic coach Rob Stern.

“Bob Mayer is one of the great softball coaches in our state, and he certainly deserves to be honored at this year's all-star game,” said Stern who guided the Mount to a 29-3 season, including an Essex County Tournament title and Non-Public, North A state sectional crown. “Along with his tremendous success coaching some memorable Bloomfield teams he is also one of the classiest and kindest people you will ever meet in our sport.”

There are 38-seniors set to play for two 19-player rosters as the North will take on the South in the 6 p.m. all-star contest at Ivy Hill Park which is home to the Seton Hall University and is situated right next to the famous Walsh Gymnasium on the edge of the SHU campus.

Among those representing the North will be two members of the Group 4 state champion Morris Knolls Golden Eagles- Taylor Heinemann and Julia Fox along with familiar Essex County standouts such as the Mount’s  outstanding Villanova-bound first-baseman Jill Cianfrocca and Columbia’s battery of Boston University-bound pitcher Claire Shupe and hard-hitting catcher Eve Clevenger.

Among the South stars expected to be on hand to perform before softball fans are two members of the state’s No. 1 team, Non-Public A state champion St. John Vianney in its Monmouth University-bound Gatorade Player of the Year Madison McDougall and her talented teammate, Florida International-bound shortstop Gabby Gonzalez.

Group 3 state champion Steinert has two of its top players – Mia Pope and Ellie Miller – also set to represent the South in the always-entertaining all-star contest.

While the players will be in the spotlight for much of the evening, the introduction of Mayer will also be an important occasion during the festive softball evening.

He is a 1969 graduate of Bloomfield where he was the Bengals’ head girls soccer coach for 21 years along with his 33 seasons heading the softball program as he won a combined 744 wins in the two sports, a total which is second all-time at Bloomfield for coaches working in multiple sports with legendary football coach Bill Foley’s 796 victories in three different sports being the top victory total.

Mayer’s Bloomfield softball teams won five state sectional titles (1994, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2007) and three ECT crowns (1994, 1999 and 2000).
Among his assistant softball coaches who would become head coaches in different sports were the current Bengals AD Steve Jenkins, Mike Tierney and Pete Foster.

Among his many great players with the Bengals were first-team all-staters Kristen Gengaro, Sue Miller and Sarah Prezioso, while others who received all-state mention included Cara Swerdlow, Nicolina Veneziano and Ashley Martinez, who went on to the be the head coach at New Jersey City University.

Other notable Bengal players during the Mayer reign include Samantha and Lexi Corio, Jenna Orlando and Damaris Mercado.    

Mayer’s unending enjoyment of working with Bloomfield softball players continues as he serves as a volunteer assistant with the current team.  

16th N.J. North-South Senior All-Star Game, 6 p.m., Monday, June 15
At Mike Sheppard, Sr. Field at Ivy Hill Park in Newark:

This Year’s Honorary Coach: Bob Mayer

North Team:
Jillian Cianfrocca, Mount St. Dominic; Taylor Heinemann, Morris Knolls; Julia Fox, Morris Knolls, Claire Shupe, Columbia; Riley Bobrowski, Watchung Hills; Madeline Roth, River Dell; Grace Waldrum, Hanover Park; Olivia Cilli, Pope John; Cassidy Smith, Randolph; Sofia Reisinger, Morris Catholic, Sabrina Casola, Hanover Park; Jaylene Echeverry, St. Mary’s (Ruth.); Eva Clevenger, Columbia; Ella Royster, Pingry; Emily McCarthy, Ramapo; Audrey Amoruso, Indian Hills; Maddie Saxton, Ramapo, Layla Francisco, North Hunterdon, Grace Saxton, Ramapo.

North Coaches: Keith Heinemann, Morris Knolls; Rachael Hogan, Glen Ridge; Cliff Smith, Columbia; Darren White, Ramapo.

South Team:
Gabriella Bryce, Colts Neck; Angela Sasso, Colts Neck; Gabby Gonzalez, St. John Vianney; Olivia DeFonce, Shore Regional; Jaelynn Nunez, Donovan Catholic; Caroline Kopp, Donovan Catholic; Emma Speyerer, Audubon; Mia Pope, Steinert; Madison McDougall, St. John Vianney; Ellie Miller, Steinert; Emily Zellman, Southern Regional; Alaina Dorsey, St. Joseph Academy; Cali Taylor, Cherokee; Reese Whitzell, Kingsway; Elizabeth Yanni, Johnson; Luci Dandrea, Cherokee; Kaci Velardi, Egg Harbor; Emily Gaudio, Marlboro.

South Coaches: Gary Bury, Immaculata; Jennifer Melker, Steinert; Kim Lombardi-McDougall, St. John Vianney.                 

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