The Yankees legendary closer Mariano Rivera helps a youngster to understand the proper motion of his left leg while visiting Frozen Ropes in Pine Brook on Saturday. (Dominick Paoli Photography. See more photos at http://www.ddpphotography.com)

The best closer in the history of baseball shows the proper form to kids looking on

An intent youngster winds up under the watchful eye of "Mo" at Frozen Ropes

Mariano Rivera has attentive audience as he addresses youngsters at Frozen Ropes

All cameras were focused on Mariano Rivera as adults also enjoyed closer's visit

"Mo" obviously enjoyed visit to Frozen Ropes and working with Jersey youngsters

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When asked at what age he first started to throw a baseball the Panamanian future first ballot Hall of Famer said, “it was a rock or a stone, but it wasn’t a baseball. A real baseball? Probably 11 or 12.

“It’s not only about that. It’s being able to pitch to the kids and see their smiles and for one day for them to learn all that stuff. That’s the satisfaction that I get.

“I love to share with the kids and love working with them.”

Just minutes after Rivera left Frozen Ropes the news came out Saturday that longtime teammate Jorge Posada will officially announce his retirement this month. Rivera and Posada, along with Derek Jeter and Andy Pettite, are known as the Yankees’ “Core 4.”

Pettitte retired after the 2010 season, while Jeter signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year before the 2011 campaign. Rivera’s contract expires after the 2012 season.

Frozen Ropes Director Bob Pigozzi worked with Rivera before. Pigozzi realized that bringing Rivera to the Pine Brook facility would surely be a home run.

“To be able to bring in one of the greatest baseball players of all time would make for a great event,” Pigozzi said. “He’s been a pitching consultant, so to be able to bring him down to my home town, to meet my son and meet his team and to meet all the guys in the league – you saw the way he was.

“He was actually teaching kids how to pitch. It was just an amazing experience. I thought it went incredibly well.”

The price was $395 per player, with Pigozzi saying that – without advertising – the event was sold out immediately. Players were allowed to bring one chaperone that was able to view the session in the facility’s standing area outside the turfed training area.

“This was all friends and family and league relationships,” Pigozzi said. “Mariano is a friend of mine and I would never put him in a situation where it wasn’t friends and family.”

All players received a Mariano Rivera autographed Major League baseball valued at $350.

“I think the kids were appreciative and the parents were appreciative,” said Pigozzi, a huge Yankees fan who was born in the South Bronx. “I’m just very glad that we were able to bring the greatest closer in the history of the game to our area.”

The youngsters ranged from ages 8-18, many of them donning Rivera Yankee pinstripe baseball shirts or full Yankee uniforms.

“This was a lifetime memory for these kids, to be able to work with Mariano, the greatest closer,” Pigozzi said. “They’re going to remember this day for the rest of their lives. They were with one of the greatest baseball players of all time.”

Pigozzi has been the director here in Pine Brook for 12 years.

“I’ve owned this facility for two years and one up in Connecticut ( Danbury),” Pigozzi said. “The reason why Frozen Ropes is here is to improve the quality of baseball and softball in our area.

“We work with leagues, we work with high schools and all of my trainers go through 80 hours of training. They’ve all been drafted and have played pro ball and college ball.

“We help players realize their potential, whether it’s a Little League player seeking his first hit or a high school athlete seeking a college scholarship. We also have pro players (minor leaguers) working out here all the time.”

For more information about the Frozen Ropes facility in Pine Brook, located at 30 Hook Mountain Rd., call 973-396-2610 or visit pinebrook@frozenropes.com.

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera congratulates a youngster adorned in a No. 42 jersey

A young Yankees fan enjoys being tutored by his legendary hero at Frozen Ropes facility

Bob Pigozzi of Frozen Ropes in Pine Brook introduces Yankees closer Mariano Rivera

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