| | | | | | | |  | Committee Assignments - C4 I
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM |
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| | | | | | | | | TO: | Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission | | | FROM: | Rafael A. Paz, City Attorney | | | DATE: | October 18, 2023 | | | |
| | SUBJECT: | REFERRAL TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE DISCUSSION REGARDING NAMING OF THE FLAMINGO PARK BASEBALL FIELD AFTER STANLEY "SKIP" BERTMAN. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
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In accordance with the City Code, Mayor Dan Gelber has proposed that the PSNQLC consider to naming the Flamingo Park baseball field in honor of Skip Bertman.
Stanley "Skip" Bertman is a former baseball coach and athletic director at Louisiana State University (LSU). Skip spent his collegiate playing days as an outfielder and catcher at the University of Miami, in Coral Gables, Florida, from 1958–1960.
Skip Bertman is a graduate of Miami Beach High School, class of 1956, where he was a starting player in both football and baseball. Skip then spent 1962-1984 as a teacher at MBHS, and spent 11 seasons as head baseball coach at Miami Beach High School from 1962 to 1974, where his team won a state championship and was state runner-up twice. Skip also served as Supervisor of the Miami Beach Little League and Pony League program from 1962 to 1970. In addition, Skip also was the Miami Beach High School Football Teams Offensive Line Coach from 1962 to 1971, which including an undefeated Football Team in 1970.
Skip Bertman was named Florida High School Coach of the Year three times. Based in part on these coaching credentials, Bertman went on to work as associate head coach at the University of Miami for eight seasons (1976–1983) under Ron Fraser. During this time, the Hurricanes won the national championship in 1982. In that 1982 College World Series, Skip Bertman orchestrated one of the most famous plays in college baseball history—a phantom pickoff play known as the "Grand Illusion" which resulted in Wichita State's Phil Stephenson being thrown out at second base.
From 1984, Skip Bertman led the LSU Tigers baseball team to five College World Series championships and seven Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships in 18 years as head coach. He amassed 870 wins, 330 losses, and three ties for a .724 winning percentage. His .754 winning percentage in NCAA baseball tournament competition is the highest among head coaches in college baseball history.
Skip Bertman also holds the distinction of being the first UM baseball coach to have his number retired. In addition, Skip was quite a success as a player, earning three letters (1958-1960) as a catcher and outfielder with the Hurricanes. In 2006, Skip joined his former boss, Ron Fraser, as a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame's Inaugural Induction Class.
In October 2010, Skip Berman was given the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce's "Lifetime Contribution to Sports" award.
Mayor Dan Gelber has proposed naming the Flamingo Park baseball field after Mr. Bertman, as a wonderful way to honor Skip Bertman’s legacy, and allow Miami Beach to experience the brilliance of Stanley "Skip" Bertman that the fans and players at the University of Miami, LSU and his many Miami Beach High School loved and experienced. |
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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