For more than 20 years, Roger Berry, Park Supervisor II, has ensured adult softball players in St. Louis have the opportunity to participate in league play, build community and have fun while spending time in city parks.
Years before he took on the role of softball commissioner for the City of St. Louis, Roger loved to play the game. He worked his way through several positions, including outfield, first base, third base, pitch and catch, then moved on to coaching. At that time, a private organization managed the city's municipal softball league. When that organization closed, Roger took it upon himself to step up and organize the St. Louis Softball League so that others who enjoyed the game as much as he did could keep playing.
"It is important to me that people can still gather in the parks and play the game," said Roger. "Unlike some other sports, softball requires someone to manage the details, including team registration, field permits and maintenance, and league rules."
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Roger Berry has dedicated much of his career to Forest Park. For more than 20 years, he has also taken on the responsibility of leading the St. Louis Softball League.
Leading the league takes commitment and coordination
League play runs spring through fall, and this season 146 teams are playing on 16 fields in five city parks. For Roger, the days are long during softball season, often going from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., as he coordinates all aspects of the league, including communicating with teams, managing field upkeep and assigning umpires.
His work is not only good for the game of softball, it is good for the players and their communities.
"Weekly softball games have been a great part of my summers for many years," said Edie Rice, who plays in the women's recreational league at Lindenwood Park. "I've built lifelong friendships with my teammates and others in the league. Our families and friends come out to the park to cheer us on. Now my daughter plays on our team, and I imagine her daughter will be a part of the team in the years ahead."
Edie Rice shares her love for softball with her daughter and granddaughter.
The Thursday evening league at Forest Park includes teams made up of players from city establishments, including the St. Louis Art Museum (Slammers), the Zoo (Hell Benders), Missouri Botanical Gardens (Green Socks), Missouri Department of Conservation (Gateway Geese) and City of St. Louis Parks, Recreation and Forestry (Knuckleheads).
Roger sometimes offers some unofficial coaching to his Parks, Recreation and Forestry colleagues. He grumbles that the players do not heed his advice, but his years of experience are likely having a positive effect as the team has won the league championship for three of the last five seasons.
Making a difference
Many amateur ballplayers take their inspiration from a favorite big leaguer, and Roger's pick is Roberto Clemente, who played 18 major league seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. As a youngster, Roger admired Clemente for his stance against racism, his social activism and his humanitarian work. Clemente died in a plane crash in 1972 at just 38 years of age while on a goodwill mission, taking emergency relief supplies to earthquake survivors in Nicaragua.
Today, Clemente is known as much for his passion for helping others as he is for his achievements on the field.
It is that type of commitment to service and excellence that Roger has always applied to his work, which includes leading a team that maintains large sections of Forest Park.
"Roger is an exceptional employee and has literally dedicated his life to Forest Park," said Kim Haegele, City of St. Louis parks commissioner. "Forest Park ranks as a top park in the country in part because of his dedication and attention to detail that truly enhance the park for our 15 million visitors each year. You don't stay at a job for 40+ years if you don't love what you're doing."
