Little League season in the Rumson-Fair Haven area is in full swing! You can almost hear the taunt from the field in the early 70s … “Hey, batter, batter …”

Aaaaand swing! Hit. It was a hit-it-out-of-the-park of a time for these tykes of this era. We’re not sure exactly why, but they chose the name Cardinals. It’s usually a team decision.

This team, as is little league-typical, had a lot of first-time training in the game and fun and home runs on the field. The biggest win? The camaraderie and bonding at their home base — Fair Haven.

It’s doubtful that any of these little guys would remember if the team even won that season. They’ve likely forgotten scores that seemed so important back then. But they likely haven’t forgotten the laughs, the game, fun —few fouls in that arena.

They say that seeing a cardinal is a sign that people we have lost are hanging around — usually at our home base.

So, with this Cardinals crew, there are bound to be a slew of former Fair Havenites now gone out there watching over that home plate and willing a run and healthy slide back to home.

Catch! Now, who remembers these guys? The coaches? And why is it that the coaches look almost as young as the team? And another thing … who’s the prankster pulling the fingers over the unknowing coach’s head pose?

Report to the principal’s office!

Your favorite team name? Who was that on first?

— Thanks to former Fair Havenite Peter Mauger for this classic!

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