Barringer coach Wayne Moore has always had a strong belief that baseball can be a big part of a young athlete’s life in the city of Newark. In fact, he’s convinced of it.
And, he has personified all the positive attributes of the term, ‘pied piper’ in having the charisma, energy and dedication in his quest to make something special happen while attracting other high school coaches to join forces with him to make America’s pastime a very big deal indeed for the wealth of talent spread throughout the many high schools in the Brick City.
Moore and fellow game organizer, East Side coach Ryan Cordero, have once again joined forces along with their fellow coaches in putting together the fifth Newark's Finest All-Star Showcase set for Saturday, June 14, at Vailsburg Park.
The game, involving approximately 40 players divided up on the two all-star teams, will have first pitch slated for 9 a.m. with action running up until noon with MVP awards presented at 12:30 p.m.
Pat Farley, who is retiring as Science Park's head coach, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday's all-star events get underway He had run a past all-star game in the Brick City and was a longtime strong promoter of high school baseball in the Brick City.
For those who have been part of the continuing efforts in recent years to make the Newark's Finest All-Star Showcase an annual success, this year has a certain extra something associated to the upcoming weekend on the diamond at Vailsburg Park.
“I look at this year’s game as somewhat of a ‘milestone’ for what we’ve been able to do with the Newark Finest All-Star Showcase as this is our fifth year,” said Cordero, whose Red Raiders were 13-10 this spring season and fell to Moore’s Barringer Blue Bears in the Newark Public Schools Tournament final . “Wayne was on a mission to make this very much a reality and the game has continued to prosper and draw interest around the city!”
For Moore, the veteran coach from the historic high school at 90 Parker Street, a passion for America’s pastime could never be quelled.
“It’s all about expanding the interest in the great game of baseball to as many Newark youngsters as possible,” said the man who along with his son Stephon guided Barringer to Newark Public Schools Tournament championships in 2023 and 2024. “The Newark All-Star Game has been great exposure for a number of our players, and we’re seeing the interest in the game continue to grow as I have players asking about summer ball and looking to improve their games over the course of the next several months leading up to next season.
“Baseball has a rich history in Newark and we want to make sure that the great spirit for the game continues with interest and participation for generations to come.”
Back in the 1930s and ‘40s the Newark Bears were an extremely popular minor league team operating out of the old Ruppert Stadium in the Ironbound section and producing such players as eventual New York Yankees stars such as slugging outfielder Charlie ‘King Kong’ Keller and slick-fielding second baseman Joe ‘Flash’ Gordon.
Many of the great Negro League players had their exposure to major league scouts through minor league games and exhibition contests at Ruppert Stadium and other venues in North Jersey.
Now, the players of 2025 and beyond are feeling the pulse of energy generated through events like the upcoming 5th Newark's Finest All-Star Showcase.
The rosters have been put together and the event appears to have generated the type of interest and importance that will make it ever-present and quite viable for years to come.
“It was Wayne’s idea,” said Cordero, the head coach at East Side and another one of the coaches with a strong interest in building more interest in baseball in Newark. “He's a ‘Newarker,’ through and through!
“In 2019, he asked me to assist him with his idea and I was all for it.
“I spent all my career as a teacher and coaching baseball in Newark. I knew that the Newark All-Star Game could be a positive spotlight on the sport for the city and to showcase the best players from each school.”
“Wayne deals with and speaks with many community members, along with the people of North Newark, and Roberto Clemente baseball organization. Also, he has donors that assist with the MVP trophies and printing of the programs.
“He is the primary mover and shaker. His heart is in the right place. It's about expanding a positive exposure to Newark and its community!”
The first all-star game in 2019 was held at the Lake Street Field in Branch Brook Park. After an absence of the game due to covid, the popular diamond event was held at Weequahic Park, the home of Rutgers-Newark college baseball, in both 2022 and 2023.
“Each year Wayne and I contact the local colleges to come out,” said Cordero. “And, hopefully there is a player that catches their eye, or a senior that may be uncommitted who can find a spot on a college roster.
“And, the interest in the game throughout Newark continues to grow!”
While interest in baseball continues to have a revival, there are challenges that remain for the Newark baseball coaches who are trying to find ways to bring the best players together because the talent is definitely there to be harvested.
“Aside from the thinning out of the Little League programs throughout the city, another thing that I have observed in my many years of coaching in Newark, is that the game of high school baseball in the city is so watered down,” said Cordero. “This is due to so many schools having the same sport and as a result, many programs end up having two to four solid ball players and the coaches are having to teach the basics of throwing, catching, and swinging a bat.
“Wayne and I agree and believe that if one day we can unite our best players into one showcase we can prove that despite being overshadowed by basketball, football, and soccer, that there is indeed a rich talent base of baseball players in the city. Thus, as some outsiders can see, we have the talent.
When it comes to our high school all-star game it is clear from the last three years that the competition is keen and the last three games have been closely contested.
“And, we have evolved from just two college coaches showing interest, to now having five or six colleges expressing interest in the all-star game and seeing our players.
“It gives our all-stars a taste of how quality baseball can be played in Newark!”
“I would hope that at the very least, the Newark Finest All-Star Baseball Showcase event gives a continued heartbeat to the game we all love. We are sharing our talented baseball players and devoted coaches to the city, and also to those outside the city.
“We also hope we will continue to improve and make this even more grand of an event each year.”
Newark Nike RBI program coaches Charles Perry (Junior Division) and Mike Fernandes (Senior Division) were invited to the 2023 all-star showcase, an event that included 14 players that have played in the Newark Nike RBI program while growing up in the city.
“As coaches in the RBI program, we believe events like these should be celebrated and spoke about throughout the city,” Perry said. “There is an incredible amount of baseball talent in Newark, and we all need to work together to help showcase that talent to those who might not be familiar with our players.
“Events like these will impact the lives of our city’s youth, and college coaches are always in attendance. The Newark Finest All-Star showcase serves as a great opportunity for our players to connect with those coaches and discuss pursuing higher education while continuing to play the sport they love.
“We would like to thank coaches Wayne Moore from Barringer and Ryan Cordero from East Side for their tremendous efforts and dedication to our city’s youth, and for organizing an event that brings everyone in the Newark baseball community together for a great cause.”
Moore, with Cordero at his side, keep the energy going behind a Brick City baseball event all can take pride in for now and for years to come.
“We both know how easy it is for kids to get caught up on the wrong path in life, so hopefully we can continue to show them another path to take,” said Moore. “Shake hands, don’t throw hands and stay in school
“Trust the process!”
