06/04/05 - Posted 11:51:34 PM from the Daily Record newsroom
Larsen, Cone on hand for Perfect Pitch Derby

By Sandy Seegers, Daily Record

Will Puentes throws seven, 10 and sometimes 12 pitches to each batter when the Perfect Pitch Home Run Derby is held at Gardner Field in Denville each year.

But Puentes doesn’t mind.

“I’ll throw until my arm falls off,” said Puentes, a resident of Montville and a personal baseball instructor. “This is a great cause.”

The charity event, with Puentes pitching again, of course, will take place tomorrow beginning at noon. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. Anyone, adults included, wishing to step into the batter’s box can take part.

“This is such an important cause,” Puentes said. “For young boys to raise money for those less fortunate is a great thing. I’ve been involved with this from the start and I think it’s a special day.”

Michael Pesci and Michael Nicosia, high school students from Parsippany, started the Perfect Pitch Home Run Derby, which has raised more than $50,000 for various youth organizations, three years ago.

Proceeds from this year’s derby are earmarked for Special Scout Troop 364, the Rockaway Challenger basketball and soccer leagues and a youth baseball squad.

“We’ve steadily raised more than the previous year,” said Pesci, a freshman at DePaul High School. “We have a good time and I’m glad that coaches think that what we’re doing is important enough to give up their time.”

Puentes, who played in the Chicago Cubs organization in the late 1970s, will be relieved by coaches Billy Provost and Chris Dick of Morris Catholic, Steve DeBlasio of Morris Knolls and Evan Schiaroni of County College of Morris.

Volunteering to serve as catchers are Morris Catholic’s John O’Dell and Bruce Dostal, the former Montville standout. Dostal played minor league ball for the Dodgers, Phillies and Orioles. Also participating are Joe Torrisi, a Little League coach from Whippany, and Delbarton graduate Michael Bellini.

On hand for the derby will be Don Larsen and David Cone, both of whom pitched perfect games while with the New York Yankees.

Larsen and Cone, a Cy Young award winner in 1994, have provided memorabilia which can be purchased with cash or checks. They will not be signing items, however, at the contest.

“It’s unbelievable that I’ve gotten to know all these famous people affiliated with Major League Baseball,” Pesci said. “They give me support for my efforts.”

The derby, in which batters 13 years and older take seven swings for $25, has been a boon for Special Scout Troop 364, whose members have various disabilities.

Mary Ann Bergamini, the committee chairperson and treasurer for the troop, said that her son, John, and the Special Scouts benefited immensely from funds raised.

“It has helped them a great deal,” Bergamini said. “The troop has purchased jackets, T-shirts and sweatshirts. They’ve gone on trips to Lancaster, Pa., the Bronx Zoo and Williamsburg, Va.

“The boys who run the derby have brought a lot of happiness. It gives the scouts something to look forward to.”

The day also will be highlighted by a raffle. The grand prize is an autographed mitt and ball combination commemorating Cone’s perfect game.

Second prize is a baseball signed by Cone and Larsen. Third prize is an autographed photo of the final pitch of Larsen’s perfect game. Fourth prize is a Don Mattingly-signed baseball. Fifth prize is two seats to a Yankees game.

Players from Morris Knolls’ freshman baseball team will take their cuts. A moment of silence will be observed for their late coach, Walt Stasiak.

“I’ve been working with Michael Pesci since the age of 7 and he’s a great kid,” Puentes said. “I stress to him how fortunate he is to be able to play sports. Some kids wish they could play and don’t have that opportunity. I commend these boys.”

Sandy Seegers can be reached at (973) 428-6672 or sseegers@gannett.com.