Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right â men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes â especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Emerson, NJ.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections â it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Emerson, NJ, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Emerson, NJ, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels â as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed â and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age â these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
EMERSON—Longtime schools superintendent Brian P. Gatens wrote the community on Jan. 4 to announce — with gratitude for opportunities he’s had to help guide the district’s growth — that he’s stepping down to start a new job in Leonia on July 1. He said a replacement search would be under way.The Emerson School District consists of some 1,200 students at three schools and held its annual reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Gatens says on his superintendent page that “Our work begins with our pre-kind...
EMERSON—Longtime schools superintendent Brian P. Gatens wrote the community on Jan. 4 to announce — with gratitude for opportunities he’s had to help guide the district’s growth — that he’s stepping down to start a new job in Leonia on July 1. He said a replacement search would be under way.
The Emerson School District consists of some 1,200 students at three schools and held its annual reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Gatens says on his superintendent page that “Our work begins with our pre-kindergarten program and continues 14 years later to our graduating 12th graders. As one of the smallest PK-12 districts in the state, the opportunities for our students only exist in a close-knit community of caring parents, supportive citizens, and dedicated civic leadership.”
Here is his letter on his departure and next steps:
Good morning Emerson,
Happy New Year to our entire school community and I hope that this email finds everyone well as we move through the first week of the new year.
At their regular public meeting last night, the Leonia Board of Education appointed me as their next Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, 2023. As a result, my final day as the Superintendent of Schools for Emerson will be June 30, 2023. Since December 2013, it has been my honor to serve the children of Emerson and work alongside supportive families, and dedicated and hardworking faculty and staff.
I will remain forever grateful for the opportunity to have played my role in the success and growth of the district over the past nine+ years. Whether it be the successful 2018 school referendum, the completion of the 2015-2020 District Strategic Plan, the creation of the 2021-2026 District Strategic Plan, or our successful navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire school community should take rightful pride in the collective progress and growth of the district and the strong foundation that has been built for future students and their families.
The Board of Education will manage the selection process for the next Superintendent of Schools. Please know that I will be fully available to assist and will participate in the transition when a new superintendent is appointed. I have every confidence that the district will continue to thrive due to the dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators who make Emerson the wonderful place that it is.
One final, and perhaps most important, point is that my caring for the teachers, staff, children, and families of Emerson will extend far beyond my tenure as superintendent. All should know that I will always be prepared to assist in any way. Please reach out in the future if I can ever be of help. I consider myself beyond fortunate to have worked for so long in a place as wonderful as Emerson and my gratitude and availability will extend far beyond June 30, 2023.
All my best,Brian P. Gatens
According to 2022 data from the New Jersey Department of Education, Gatens ranked 99th for pay among school administrators, at some $224,161.
We will update this story.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICH. (PRWEB) JULY 05, 2023 – ARCH Medical Solutions Corp. (“ARCH”) announces the acquisition of gSource LLC of Emerson, New Jersey. gSource precision manufactures an extensive line of surgical instruments and performs custom contract manufacturing for medical OEMs. Since its founding in 1999, gSource has built a reputation as a medical equipment manufacturer known for crafting superior instrumentation primarily for orthopedic and spinal surgical procedures.With this acquisition, AR...
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICH. (PRWEB) JULY 05, 2023 – ARCH Medical Solutions Corp. (“ARCH”) announces the acquisition of gSource LLC of Emerson, New Jersey. gSource precision manufactures an extensive line of surgical instruments and performs custom contract manufacturing for medical OEMs. Since its founding in 1999, gSource has built a reputation as a medical equipment manufacturer known for crafting superior instrumentation primarily for orthopedic and spinal surgical procedures.
With this acquisition, ARCH Medical Solutions strengthens its position as a leading, diversified supplier in the medical device contract manufacturing market. The Emerson facility will continue as gSource.
“We are excited to join forces with gSource and have the opportunity to offer this category of high-quality, German-sourced surgical instruments to our existing and new customers,” said Paul Barck, Divisional President of ARCH Medical Solutions. “gSource is a respected brand for both catalog and customized instrumentation, broadening the products and solutions we bring to the surgical instruments market. In working with the gSource team, there is clear cultural alignment between our organizations in quality and customer focus, making this partnership a win-win for our customers and the patients they serve.”
As part of the ARCH family, gSource President Gerd Billmann anticipates growth opportunities for employees and customers.
“We are certain that ARCH Medical Solutions is the right partner for gSource,” Billmann said. “The core values at ARCH are remarkably aligned with ours, and the increased capacity will allow our employees to flourish, our customers to do more, and the patients they serve to receive the highest level of care.”
John Ruggieri, Senior Vice President of Business Development at ARCH Medical Solutions, is excited to have gSource and its expert network of specialists joining ARCH Medical Solutions.
“We are thrilled to welcome the entire gSource team as they become a part of ARCH Medical Solutions,” he said. “gSource is a well-respected brand in the medical community, and the reputation of the company is a testament to its commitment and high level of customer service for more than two decades. This partnership is sure to usher in an exciting new era of accelerated growth.”
About ARCH Medical SolutionsARCH Medical Solutions, a Jordan Company platform company based in metro Detroit, precision manufactures high-quality medical components, parts, instruments, devices, and implants for a range of life-changing medical applications. ARCH Medical Solutions has multiple FDA-registered facilities across the country serving the orthopedics, surgical robotics, dental, and life sciences markets. The teams at ARCH Medical Solutions are metalworking professionals with industry-leading tight-tolerance manufacturing expertise. ARCH Medical Solutions provides innovative and practical solutions to the complex manufacturing challenges of its customers that lead to better patient outcomes. Improving lives. We have a part in that.
The North Jersey Interscholastic Conference released schedules for the 2023 season on Monday afternoon.Week 1 is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend (the Friday is Sept. 1) and the final week of the regular season – Week 8 – is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 20. The NJIC schedule is only set for the first five weeks, then teams are matched up with opponents of a similar caliber for the final three weeks.Teams that play in the Union Division are not eligible for the NJSIAA postseason. They will start th...
The North Jersey Interscholastic Conference released schedules for the 2023 season on Monday afternoon.
Week 1 is scheduled for Labor Day Weekend (the Friday is Sept. 1) and the final week of the regular season – Week 8 – is scheduled for the weekend of Oct. 20. The NJIC schedule is only set for the first five weeks, then teams are matched up with opponents of a similar caliber for the final three weeks.
Teams that play in the Union Division are not eligible for the NJSIAA postseason. They will start their seasons in Week 2.
Manchester moved from the Liberty Division to the Union Division. Wallington moved from the Union Division to the Patriot Division. The new Cresskill/Emerson co-op program will play in the Liberty Division.
BECTON
Week 1: at Garfield
Week 2: vs. Lodi
Week 3 vs. Secaucus
Week 4: at Rutherford
Week 5: vs. Glen Rock
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
GARFIELD
Week 1: vs. Becton
Week 2: vs. Cresskill/Emerson
Week 3: at Rutherford
Week 4: at Glen Rock
Week 5: vs. Lodi
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
GLEN ROCK
Week 1: vs. Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 2: vs. Rutherford
Week 3: at Lodi
Week 4: vs. Garfield
Week 5: at Becton
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
LODI
Week1: vs. Rutherford
Week 2: at Becton
Week 3: vs. Glen Rock
Week 4: vs. New Milford
Week 5: at Garfield, 1 p.m.
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
RUTHERFORD
Week 1: at Lodi
Week 2: at Glen Rock
Week 3: vs. Garfield
Week 4: vs. Becton
Week 5: vs. Lyndhurst
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
CRESSKILL/EMERSON
Week 1: vs. New Milford
Week 2: at Garfield
Week 3: vs. Lyndhurst
Week 4: at Secaucus
Week 5: at Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
LYNDHURST
Week 1: at Secaucus
Week 2: vs. New Milford
Week 3: at Cresskill/Emerson
Week 4: vs. Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 5: at Rutherford
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
NEW MILFORD
Week 1: at Cresskill/Emerson
Week 2: at Lyndhurst
Week 3: vs. Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 4: at Lodi
Week 5: vs. Secaucus
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
SECAUCUS
Week 1: vs. Lyndhurst
Week 2: at Waldwick/Midland Park
Week 3: at Becton
Week 4: vs. Cresskill/Emerson
Week 5: at New Milford
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
WALDWICK/MIDLAND PARK
Week 1: at Glen Rock
Week 2: vs. Secaucus
Week 3: at New Milford
Week 4: at Lyndhurst
Week 5: vs. Cresskill/Emerson
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS
Week 1: at PomptonLakes
Week 2: vs. Hasbrouck Heights
Week 3: at Park Ridge
Week 4: vs. Hawthorne
Week 5: at North Arlington
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
HAWTHORNE
Week 1: vs. North Arlington
Week 2: at St. Mary
Week 3: vs. Pompton Lakes
Week 4: at Hasbrouck Heights
Week 5: at Saddle Brook
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
NORTH ARLINGTON
Week 1: at Hawthorne
Week 2: vs. Pompton Lakes
Week 3: at Saddle Brook
Week 4: at Wood-Ridge
Week 5: vs. Hasbrouck Heights
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
POMPTON LAKES
Week 1: vs. Hasbrouck Heights
Week 2: at North Arlington
Week 3: at Hawthorne
Week 4: vs. Saddle Brook
Week 5: at Butler
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
SADDLE BROOK
Week 1: at Wallington
Week 2: at Hasbrouck Heights
Week 3: vs. North Arlington
Week 4: at Pompton Lakes
Week 5: vs. Hawthorne
Week 6: TBA (home)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
BUTLER
Week 1: vs. Wood-Ridge
Week 2: at Wallington
Week 3: at St. Mary
Week 4: vs. Park Ridge
Week 5: vs. Pompton Lakes
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
PARK RIDGE
Week 1: vs. St. Mary
Week 2: at Wood-Ridge
Week 3: vs. Hasbrouck Heights
Week 4: at Butler
Week 5: vs. Wallington
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
ST. MARY
Week 1: at Park Ridge
Week 2: vs. Hawthorne
Week 3: vs. Butler
Week 4: at Wallington
Week 5: vs. Wood-Ridge
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
WALLINGTON
Week 1: vs. Saddle Brook
Week 2: vs. Butler
Week 3: at Wood-Ridge
Week 4: vs. St. Mary
Week 5: at Park Ridge
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
WOOD-RIDGE
Week 1: at Butler
Week 2: vs. Park Ridge
Week 3: vs. Wallington
Week 4: vs. North Arlington
Week 5: at St. Mary
Week 6: TBA (away)
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
BOGOTA
Week 1: idle
Week 2: at Harrison
Week 3: vs. Manchester
Week 4: at Elmwood Park
Week 5: at Weehawken
Week 6: vs. Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
ELMWOOD PARK
Week 1: idle
Week 2: at Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 3: vs. Harrison
Week 4: vs. Bogota
Week 5: at Manchester
Week 6: vs. Weehawken
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
HARRISON
Week 1: idle
Week 2: vs. Bogota
Week 3: at Elmwood Park
Week 4: vs. Weehawken
Week 5: at Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 6: vs. Manchester
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
MANCHESTER
Week 1: idle
Week 2: vs. Weehawken
Week 3: at Bogota
Week 4: vs. Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 5: vs. Elmwood Park
Week 6: at Harrison
Week 7: TBA (away)
Week 8: TBA (home)
PALISADES PARK/LEONIA
Week 1: idle
Week 2: vs. Elmwood Park
Week 3: at Weehawken
Week 4: at Manchester
Week 5: vs. Harrison
Week 6: at Bogota
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
WEEHAWKEN
Week 1: idle
Week 2: at Manchester
Week 3: vs. Palisades Park/Leonia
Week 4: at Harrison
Week 5: vs. Bogota
Week 6: at Elmwood Park
Week 7: TBA (home)
Week 8: TBA (away)
5-minute read0:000:56ADDamien Gonzalez has grown up watching Yankees baseball, usually on a phone held inches from his nose. More often, he listens to the broadcasts.Gonzalez, who turns 15 in June, was born with congenital glaucoma and is ...
Damien Gonzalez has grown up watching Yankees baseball, usually on a phone held inches from his nose. More often, he listens to the broadcasts.
Gonzalez, who turns 15 in June, was born with congenital glaucoma and is legally blind. As he kept warm in the family's SUV before an early season practice in Newark, the teen from Emerson considered a question about how he was able to play the game he loves.
"What does your world look like?" he replied defiantly, before explaining his view of the field is "a little blurry," with objects closer to him appearing more clear.
Damien didn't consider his low vision when he asked to try tee ball at age 6. His anxious parents, Nestor and Alice Gonzalez, got him into Emerson's youth softball program instead.
"It was a little awkward," Nestor Gonzalez recalled. "Some of the parents made comments. Even some of the umpires said, 'This is a girls' league. You know that, right?'"
Seeking a safe, more welcoming option, Nestor Gonzalez found the New Jersey Titans beep baseball team, which plays a modified version of the national pastime designed for the blind and visually impaired.
The Titans are one of the original teams in the National Beep Baseball Association, which fields 30 squads from around the world and will host its World Series this summer in Norman, Oklahoma. The Titans are a decade-old spinoff of the New Jersey Lightning, with whom they now share the Garden State.
Damien and Nestor Gonzalez have been part of the Titans program for six years, with Nestor now serving as head coach and president.
"I used to be the crutch for his disability. Now I try to be the springboard for him," Nestor Gonzalez said. Damien also wrestles, skis and rides a bike, and is going to aviation camp this summer.
"Don't let the vision thing hold you up," his father tells him.
Beep baseball is similar to what major leaguers play, with a few significant differences.
Teams are comprised of at least six visually impaired players, all of whom wear blindfolds while batting or fielding, as well as sighted pitchers and catchers. Spotters in the outfield help direct defensive players toward a batted ball.
The game uses a modified softball that weighs about a pound and beeps like an alarm clock.
At the practice in March, Nestor Gonzalez stood on a field in Newark's Weequahic Park as his son waited at the plate, clad in white pants with navy pinstripes like the Bronx Bombers.
"Ready," the father shouted, alerting the Titans that he was about to throw the ball. "Pitch," he yelled, as he released the beeping white sphere toward Damien.
Damien swung and connected. His teammates, all older and from across New Jersey, dove and scrambled after the ball using their ears for guidance.
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In beep baseball, first and third base are 4-foot tall padded cylinders with speakers. They're placed 100 feet down each baseline and 10 feet outside the foul lines to prevent runners and fielders from colliding. When the ball is hit, a base is activated and emits a loud buzz, similar to the whine between frequencies on the radio dial.
The batters, who use the same equipment as traditional baseball players, must get to the base before the ball is fielded. If they're safe, a run scores.
A hit ball must travel a minimum of 40 feet. If it goes farther than 170 feet on the fly, it's a homer – worth two runs, as long as the batter reaches the buzzing base within 30 seconds.
Nestor Gonzalez said Damien didn't score a run in his first two years playing. Samantha Mischler, a 29-year-old from Monroe, still hasn't scored after eight seasons with the Titans. But, Gonzalez added, "She's worked so hard on her swing and hitting the ball as hard as she can. This is going to be her year."
Mischler has trouble seeing details or objects that are far away, but her low vision can't be corrected due to nystagmus, which causes her eyes to move uncontrollably. She ran cross country and middle distances at Monroe High School with a guide. She loved the 400 meters and the mile, she said, but "hated the 800, because how do you pace that?"
She first saw a beep baseball demonstration at Camp Marcella, a Rockaway Township sleepaway camp for the blind, when she was 10 years old. But it took more than a decade for her to connect with the Titans.
"To find out there are sports teams for people with low vision just blew my mind," said Mischler, a classroom aide in a Sayreville preschool. "I'm the only female player, but I don't think of it that way. I am a teammate. I've been cleated and didn't even flinch. I've had beep baseballs hit me on the top of my head: 'Oh, ow, all right then, keep on playing.' I firmly believe your individual identity is important, but you're a team. You're all one."
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That camaraderie is what got Alfonso Harrell hooked on the Titans.
One of six siblings, three of whom were born legally blind, Harrell was hesitant to share his condition with people or to ask for help. The 29-year-old said he switched from special-education classes at a Newark public school to a school for the blind, and back again after telling his mom, "I'm not learning nothing here. I don't want to do this."
Harrell said he got an aide to take notes, and was on his way through mainstreamed classes instead of the "small box" of the specialized school.
After graduating from high school, he went to the Joseph Kohn Training Center in New Brunswick to become more independent. That's where he was introduced to goalball – another sport for the visually impaired – and then beep baseball. Harrell is the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his associate's degree at Bergen Community College and then a bachelor's in business management from Kean University.
Harrell, Lamont Bordley from Hamilton and Newark resident Marvin Morgan are among the original Titans from the 2013-14 season. The team later brought in Mischler, Damien Gonzalez, Zak Turner of Hillsdale, and even teammates from Long Island, Philadelphia, North Carolina and Iowa who drive or fly in when they can.
On Saturday, the Titans will play the Long Island Bombers on the North Meadow baseball fields in New York City's Central Park.
Future Titans games are scheduled for July 1 in Philadelphia and July 14 in Boston. The National Beep Baseball Association World Series will be held July 30 to Aug. 5 in Oklahoma. The Titans finished fifth in 2019 and 2021.
Damien Gonzalez has been the youngest player, and the only one under 15, at all five World Series he's attended.
"Being around other blind people helped me so much as far as being comfortable with being blind myself," said Harrell, a father of two young daughters who works as a recruiter for Bestwork Industries for the Blind in Cherry Hill.
"These kids growing up now are probably the only blind person [they know] in their town," he said. "Maybe someone will see the sport and know someone who is visually impaired or blind, and can point them in the right direction. Even if they don't play the sport, being around someone else like yourself is important. It all matters."
Jane Havsy is a storyteller for the Daily Record and DailyRecord.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis, subscribe today.
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