Perronni Invitational Aims To Increase

BASEBALL TOURNAMENT SERVES AS FUNDRAISER

MARK HUMPHREY  ENTERPRISE-LEADER/Kurt Wing, a Bentonville P.E. teacher, carries maintenance material out onto Perronni Field, site of a little league baseball tournament hosting the Peronni Invitational Aug. 20-21 in the Weddington area. The tournament serves as a fundraiser to address Alzheimer’s disease. Volunteers are needed to help staff this year's tournament and may sign up by emailing Sam Perronni at sperronni1@hotmail.com.
MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER/Kurt Wing, a Bentonville P.E. teacher, carries maintenance material out onto Perronni Field, site of a little league baseball tournament hosting the Peronni Invitational Aug. 20-21 in the Weddington area. The tournament serves as a fundraiser to address Alzheimer’s disease. Volunteers are needed to help staff this year's tournament and may sign up by emailing Sam Perronni at [email protected].

FAYETTEVILLE -- Memory plays a vital role in baseball, keeping track of the count and knowing how many outs there are determine what teams do next

Retired federal prosecutor Sam Peronni, 74, of west Fayetteville knows that full well as he organizes the second annual Perronni Invitational baseball tournament coming up on Aug. 20-21 to raise funds for Alzheimer's research. The disease affected his wife, Pat.

The couple's fondness for children led to the construction of a little league ballpark dubbed "Perronni Field" located one half mile west of the Weddington Fire Dept. and the 16 General Store with an access from State Highway 16. This will be the site of this year's tournament featuring 11-and-12 year-old boys with teams representing the communities of Bentonville and Elkins with a lot of Farmington boys. There are plans to expand the age groups in the future.

"It's our third year to have boys out here in playing games in a tournament, but it's the second year for the Perronni Invitational," Perronni said.

His right hand man, Kurt Wing, a P.E. teacher at Bentonville, sets the matchups which will feature pool play on Saturday, Aug. 20, followed by a championship bracket on Sunday, Aug. 21.

There's no admission, but spectators are asked to make donations for Alzheimer's research.

"We had a lot of people come here last year," Perronni said.

He estimates the 2021 tournament drew between 350 to 500 spectators.

Wing plans to use a pitch counter this year to track the number of spectators.

New Wrinkles

Dani Claire Holloway, of Farmington, will sing the National Anthem to kick off both pool play on Saturday, Aug. 20 and bracket play on Sunday, Aug. 21. Another new wrinkle for this year is the sale of event t-shirts. Those sales will go towards the fundraising as do concession stand sales. Dani Claire, 11, is the daughter of David and Brittney Holloway. She has performed at Farmington baseball and softball games.

A raffle for a baseball glove donated by the D-back facility gives Perronni one more way to raise funds. Raffle tickets may be purchased by contacting Perronni at [email protected].

Perronni's dog, "Sammie Sue," a golden retriever/great pyrenees mix plays baseball in her own way. The two-year-old dog is great around kids, but can't resist running down any ball that falls on the ground in its vicinity and will run off with it, which keeps her from being a mascot.

Raising Funds

There is no fee at the gate, but spectators are asked to make donations which go towards raising funds for Alzheimer's research. A tarp has been installed over the bleachers to in Perronni's words, "make it more comfortable." Canopies will be set up in the outfield for additional spectators.

"The mission really is two-fold. We want to have a baseball tournament for boys to enjoy, and also to raise money for the Alzheimer's research," Perronni said.

According to Perronni the tournament raised $1,700 in its first year, $3,000 last year with a goal of $5,000 for 2022. New for 2022, sponsorships have been added with banners hanging in the outfield. As of early August, Perronni has lined up a dozen sponsors.

"I want to make it clear that it's all proceeds, not all profits, that go to charity," Perronni said. "Sponsors, hopefully, will give me enough money to play for the costs of putting on this tournament, which includes paying for umpires, trophies, food, canopies for shade, and the field upkeep."

At the conclusion of this year's tournament a check presentation will be made to the Arkansas chapter of the Alzheimer's Foundation.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed and welcomed to help run the tournament and Perronni is looking to fill roles for gate greeters, parking and security, and infield umpires.

The plate umpire is a paid position because Perronni and Wing want a professional overseeing each game.

"It was so hot, they got all that [protective] stuff on, they earned their money last year. We had some good umpires last time. They did a good job," Perronni said.

Perronni doesn't want to exhaust volunteers so he's set up four hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday. The first shift begins at 9 a.m. and the second is in the afternoon.

"We need roughly about eight volunteers per session. That doesn't count Kurt and I. After every game we have to rake the field and chalk the field and expedite that process," Perronni said.

An announcer who has their own sound equipment would be welcomed.

Those interested in volunteering for the tournament Aug. 20-21 may contact Perronni at [email protected].

Volunteers are needed for one or both days.

"I'm the only maintenance guy. Most of my teams are respectful taking care of the field after they practice," Perronni said. "If you can keep up with it, it's not so bad. I can edge this whole infield in less than an hour, but I've got to have help with the outfield."

  photo  MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER/Perronni Field will host a little league baseball tournament dubbed the Peronni Invitational Aug. 20-21 at the property of Sam Peronni, a retired federal prosecutor/attorney, in the Weddington area. The tournament serves as a fundraiser to address Alzheimer’s disease which affected Sam’s wife, Pat Peronni. There is no admission and all proceeds raised through donations, t-shirt sales, raffle tickets, and concessions go towards defeating the disease.
 
 
  photo  MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER/Sam Peronni, a retired federal prosecutor/attorney, and Kurt Wing, a Bentonville P.E. teacher, clean a dugout at Perronni Field, site of a little league baseball tournament hosting the Peronni Invitational Aug. 20-21 in the Weddington area. The tournament serves as a fundraiser to address Alzheimer’s disease which affected Sam’s wife, Pat Peronni. There is no admission and all proceeds raised through donations, t-shirt sales, raffle tickets, and concessions go towards defeating the disease.
 
 
  photo  MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER/Sam Peronni, a retired federal prosecutor/attorney, poses with his dog, "Sandy Sue," while preparing to host a little league baseball tournament dubbed the Peronni Invitational Aug. 20-21 at his property in the Weddington area. The tournament serves as a fundraiser to address Alzheimer’s disease which affected Sam’s wife, Pat Peronni. Instead of charging admission all proceeds raised through concession sales go towards defeating the disease.
 
 
  photo  MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER/Dani Claire Holloway, of Farmington, will perform the "Star Spangled Banner" prior to commencement of the second annual Perronni Invitational, a little league baseball tournament which serves as a fundraiser for Alzheimer's research. Holloway is volunteering her time and vocal talent on Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Aug. 21. Dani Claire, 11, is the daughter of David and Brittney Holloway.