Simeri's Win Berto Tourney
Elkhart, IN 5/27-28
The annual Berto Memorial tournament took place on May 27-28,
with the home run derby starting on Friday night. Several participants
entered and when it was all finished, Jeremy Hochstetler of Street
Kids Softball beat Justin Newcomer of CCAC in a playoff round to
claim the derby prize. Following the derby, softball legend and hall
of famer Jeff Hall put on a show, blasting home runs deep into the
night. Hall, who has always been a proud supporter of the Berto
Family, was happy to take part.
"I told TJ (Jorgensen) and Hersh (Mark Hershberger) when they
talked to me on the phone last month that there was no way I was
going to miss this event," Hall said. "I knew I was going to be in
Kalamazoo the night before for a big event and I made sure to make
my arrangements work around the Berto event. I loved meeting Berto's mother and spending time with all the guys at the home run derby
and out at Simeri's that night. What a great night for sure. You can see how many people loved and miss Berto."
On Saturday morning, the tourney began. Simeri's opened against a scrappy Typhoon team, led by longtime SKS player Joe Richard,
brother of current Street Kids outfielder Terry Patesel, who played for Simeri's this weekend. Typhoon actually had a six run lead going into
the seventh but Simeri's rallied and came back to beat Typhoon, winning 25-24. That led Simeri's to a showdown against Whiskey Dicks, a
new bar that opened in Elkhart. This team featured SKS outfielder Scott Martin and Hybrids/SKS player Nate Taylor. Simeri's played much
better in this game, especially on defense, and won 21-7.
Up next was Rickscapes, managed by SK Care supporter Cory Pyle. Pyle stacked this team to compete against Simeri's, including bringing
in "The Amish Express" from Street Kids as well as two players from Wildman, a Class B team from Fort Wayne. Before the game, Simeri's
player Jay Jeffery got into a humorous trash talking debate with Pyle, accusing Pyle of making promises he cannot keep. It was a fun time
prior to the game, but when it got started, Simeri's went to work, and work they did, beating up on Rickscapes 25-8.
Rickscapes would now have to battle through the losers bracket, which they would do, to get back to the finals against Simeri's. But this
weekend would belong to the team that was named for the man they honor, as the B3/Simeri's/Street Kids team defeated Rickscapes again,
28-7, to win the Berto Memorial tournament. Mark Hershberger was the tournament MVP.
"This was a great weekend, from the home run derby Friday night to partying with Jeff Hall," said Mike Miller of Simeri's. "But the best part
was seeing all the guys come together for some laughs and remembering our friend, Berto."
Simeri's coach Rick Shreiner agreed.
"Everyone played great this weekend," he said. "I couldnt be more proud of my guys. I know how much this weekend meant to them."
The annual Berto Memorial tournament took place on May 27-28,
with the home run derby starting on Friday night. Several participants
entered and when it was all finished, Jeremy Hochstetler of Street
Kids Softball beat Justin Newcomer of CCAC in a playoff round to
claim the derby prize. Following the derby, softball legend and hall
of famer Jeff Hall put on a show, blasting home runs deep into the
night. Hall, who has always been a proud supporter of the Berto
Family, was happy to take part.
"I told TJ (Jorgensen) and Hersh (Mark Hershberger) when they
talked to me on the phone last month that there was no way I was
going to miss this event," Hall said. "I knew I was going to be in
Kalamazoo the night before for a big event and I made sure to make
my arrangements work around the Berto event. I loved meeting Berto's mother and spending time with all the guys at the home run derby
and out at Simeri's that night. What a great night for sure. You can see how many people loved and miss Berto."
On Saturday morning, the tourney began. Simeri's opened against a scrappy Typhoon team, led by longtime SKS player Joe Richard,
brother of current Street Kids outfielder Terry Patesel, who played for Simeri's this weekend. Typhoon actually had a six run lead going into
the seventh but Simeri's rallied and came back to beat Typhoon, winning 25-24. That led Simeri's to a showdown against Whiskey Dicks, a
new bar that opened in Elkhart. This team featured SKS outfielder Scott Martin and Hybrids/SKS player Nate Taylor. Simeri's played much
better in this game, especially on defense, and won 21-7.
Up next was Rickscapes, managed by SK Care supporter Cory Pyle. Pyle stacked this team to compete against Simeri's, including bringing
in "The Amish Express" from Street Kids as well as two players from Wildman, a Class B team from Fort Wayne. Before the game, Simeri's
player Jay Jeffery got into a humorous trash talking debate with Pyle, accusing Pyle of making promises he cannot keep. It was a fun time
prior to the game, but when it got started, Simeri's went to work, and work they did, beating up on Rickscapes 25-8.
Rickscapes would now have to battle through the losers bracket, which they would do, to get back to the finals against Simeri's. But this
weekend would belong to the team that was named for the man they honor, as the B3/Simeri's/Street Kids team defeated Rickscapes again,
28-7, to win the Berto Memorial tournament. Mark Hershberger was the tournament MVP.
"This was a great weekend, from the home run derby Friday night to partying with Jeff Hall," said Mike Miller of Simeri's. "But the best part
was seeing all the guys come together for some laughs and remembering our friend, Berto."
Simeri's coach Rick Shreiner agreed.
"Everyone played great this weekend," he said. "I couldnt be more proud of my guys. I know how much this weekend meant to them."
