C4E - Rename Flamingo Park Baseball Field

Committee Referrals - C4 E

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

Please place on the July 23 City Commission agenda a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee is to consider my proposal to name the Flamingo Park baseball field after Skip Bertman. Whenever a request is made to re-name portion(s) of a public facility, including interior portion(s) of a park, Section 82-503(b) of the City Code requires the sponsor to submit the proposal in writing to an appropriate committee (in this case, the PSNQLC).

Stanley "Skip" Bertman is a former baseball coach and athletic director at Louisiana State University (LSU). Bertman spent his collegiate playing days as an outfielder and catcher at the University of Miami, in Coral Gables, Florida, from 1958–1960.

Skip 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 Miami Beach Little League and Pony League program from 1962 to 1970 on the behalf of Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department. 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.

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, 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, 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.

Bertman 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 was given the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce's "Lifetime Contribution to Sports" award.

Naming the Flamingo Park baseball field after Mr. Bertman would be a wonderful way to honor his legacy while he is still with us, 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.

ANALYSIS

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

NA

Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)

If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

CONCLUSION

Applicable Area

Citywide

Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No

If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):

Department

Office of Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner Kristen Rosen Gonzalez

Co-sponsor(s)

Commissioner Alex Fernandez

Condensed Title

Ref: PSNQLC - Name Flamingo Park Baseball Field after Skip Bertman. (Rosen Gonzalez/Fernandez)

Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)