The Roberto Clemente Little League

The Roberto Clemente Little League (RCLL), named after the man who has inspired countless generations of Latino baseballers, is an absolute cornerstone to Newark Latinos. The league was founded in 1978 by a group of people from the Puerto Rican community. For nearly 44 years the league has organized baseball for Newark’s youth and produced some of today’s professional athletes, including Robinson Cano and Hector Santiago. Sponsors, coaches, volunteers and family alike, come together to contribute to the long and lasting success of the RCLL.

A Young Pitcher Poses for the Camera

1982 Senior League Regional Champions

Speakers at the Rick Cerone and Roberto Clemente Little Leagues Opening Day

The Roberto Clemente Little League frequently collaborated with other Little Leagues, such as the local Rick Cerone Little League. Events like this one were not just an opportunity for people to get together...

Speakers at the Rick Cerone and Roberto Clemente Little Leagues Opening Day (cont.)

...but also to inspire little leaguers who saw their community leaders in action. Pictured is a young speaker and little leaguer, delivering a speech.

Cuban Little Leaguers of teams C. Ferrer’s and Pestana’s march in local parade.

The Little Leagues of our communities extend beyond just the Roberto Clemente Little League. There are plenty of young Latino athletes in other New Jersey cities, such as Jersey City and Paterson; cities with high Hispanic populations just like Newark. Depicted are some of those teams.

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Group Photo of Paterson Eagles in front of Hinchliffe Stadium

Robinson Cano

Before Robinson Cano and Hector Santiago were famous players in Major League Baseball, they started on the baseball fields of Newark, playing in the Roberto Clemente Little League. Cano, who is Dominican-American, holds eight All-Star Titles...

Hector Santiago

...Santiago, who is Puerto Rican, holds one. Santiago was also part of the Rick Cerone Little League!

Translation: In the Little Leagues; The Future Baseball Stars

Roberto Clemente All-Stars at the 1990 Junior League Series and 1991 Senior League Series

The Roberto Clemente All-Stars, consisting of the best of the Roberto Clemente Little League, made it to the World Series’ Junior Division in 1990 and followed it up in 1991 with advancing to the Senior Division, facing off against Germany for the East Region.