Baseball benefit hits a home run

Funds go to 'special' kids league
By Zenaida Mendez, Daily Record

DENVILLE - Ruben Fuentes of Rockaway smiled proudly as he watched the baseball action on Anthony Drew Eberth Memorial Field in Gardner Park.

Last year, $8,000 raised from the "Perfect Pitch" Home Run Derby, a fundraiser to benefit special needs children, was donated to the Morris County Challenger League, a sports league for disabled children living in the tri-state area. Fuentes is the Challenger's president.

"You can't even find the words to describe it," he said of the event put on by Michael Pesci and Michael Nicosia, both from Parsippany. "They have big hearts."

Because of their donation, Fuentes added, he was able to send two busloads of disabled children to New York to see a Yankee game.

"Some of these kids have never had an opportunity to see a major league game, and it was a dream come true," he said.

For Pesci, the Home Run Derby was simply about "having fun and raising money for charity."

Monies raised Sunday will benefit the Morris County Challenger League, Special Scout Troop 364, of Belleville, and the New Brunswick Athletic Association.

Lisa Pesci, Michael's mom, estimated yesterday afternoon that the boys had collected more than $18,000. Last year, the Home Run Derby raised $16,000.

Approximately 50 youngsters, ages 11 and up, participated in the second annual Home Run Derby, which began with registration at 9 a.m. and ended at approximately 2 p.m.

The friendly competition was open to males and females, and, though many participants are members of their school and local recreation baseball teams, prior experience playing the sport was not required.

Participants were split up in four age groups -- 11 and 12, 13 and 14, 15 and 16, and 17 and up.

Each batter was given the opportunity to swing at seven pitches. Each hit earned the batters points.

Patrick Pauls, of Denville, described the event as a unique opportunity for his son, Sean Pauls, 12, to practice hitting home runs, "which you really can't focus on in a game because you're trying to get base hits."

However, the pressure of performing individually, rather than as part of a team, was nerve-racking.

Sporting a gray t-shirt that read "Perfect Pitch," Pauls managed to get six hits off seven swings, but he admitted the first few moments at the plate were not easy.

"I was really nervous," he said afterwards.

"It's all about the individual, one for all and that's it," said Joshua Tex, 14, of Chester Twp.

For others who had not played the sport, their goal was to make contact at least once.

Melissa Mele, 15, from Parsippany, was giddy with excitement after her turn up at bat.

"I hit every one!" she screamed, amazed by what she had just accomplished.

She placed first in her age division.

In the ages 11 and 12 category, T.J. Kruger, from Towaco, was the top finisher.

Pesci placed first in the 13 and 14 age category.

Paul Cioffi, from Denville, was the top batter in the division for ages 17 and up.

Each winner received a 25-inch trophy and an Easton baseball bat.