One Year Later:
"B3rto Remembered"
"B3rto Remembered"
Mishawaka, IN 4/17/10
This weekend, 16 teams will gather together to compete in the annual
spring tournament that is held here at Rose Park in Mishawaka. This
is the time of the year that players and local teams start to get into
game shape for the upcoming season. But this weekend will be a little
This weekend, 16 teams will gather together to compete in the annual
spring tournament that is held here at Rose Park in Mishawaka. This
is the time of the year that players and local teams start to get into
game shape for the upcoming season. But this weekend will be a little
different for several players as this weekend will mark the one year anniversary of the tragic death of softball player Alberto
Naranjo.
Berto - as he was known to his friends and now infamously known around the softball circuit - was struck by a thrown ball during
this exact tournament at Rose Park in 2009. Berto was hit in the back of the head, and the ball struck his carotid artery, which is
what caused his eventual death two days later, although some people unofficially state that Berto most likely became brain dead
moments after it happened.
Last year, the softball community opened their arms to Berto's family, especially his mother Nileida, who lost her only son at Rose
Park. From the over populated funeral services to the events that followed in league play as well as in Elkhart, where one of
Berto's close friends Rene hosts a now annual tournament and memorial event. This years event in Elkhart is expected to be
highlighted by softball icon and hall of famer Jeff Hall, who has been taken in by the emotional story of Berto.
Last week, several softball players that were very
close to Berto gathered with his mother at Rose
Park where we began to interview people and
ask them what they remembered most about their
fallen friend and teammate. After that, Berto's
mother - with her heart breaking at being at the
park that ended her sons life - read a letter she
wrote to her son. These are two very emotional
videos and I thank all those involved for taking
the time to come out and be a part of these
videos.
On Saturday at 12:00pm at Rose North in
Mishawaka, Street Kids Softball will play against
members of the B3 (named for Berto's number
"3") team in the pool play of the spring tournament.
Prior to the start of the game, a special moment
of silence will be observed for Berto and softball
commissioner Chad Meyers will make the
announcement that beginning immediately, Rose
North will now be known as Berto Field.
Members of Berto's family is expected to be
on hand, including his mother Nileida.
If you are in the area, please take a moment to
stop by around noon and witness this event and
if you knew Berto, tell his mother how much his
friendship meant to you. That is the main thing
that keeps her going everyday, knowing that
Berto was loved by so many people.
Naranjo.
Berto - as he was known to his friends and now infamously known around the softball circuit - was struck by a thrown ball during
this exact tournament at Rose Park in 2009. Berto was hit in the back of the head, and the ball struck his carotid artery, which is
what caused his eventual death two days later, although some people unofficially state that Berto most likely became brain dead
moments after it happened.
Last year, the softball community opened their arms to Berto's family, especially his mother Nileida, who lost her only son at Rose
Park. From the over populated funeral services to the events that followed in league play as well as in Elkhart, where one of
Berto's close friends Rene hosts a now annual tournament and memorial event. This years event in Elkhart is expected to be
highlighted by softball icon and hall of famer Jeff Hall, who has been taken in by the emotional story of Berto.
Last week, several softball players that were very
close to Berto gathered with his mother at Rose
Park where we began to interview people and
ask them what they remembered most about their
fallen friend and teammate. After that, Berto's
mother - with her heart breaking at being at the
park that ended her sons life - read a letter she
wrote to her son. These are two very emotional
videos and I thank all those involved for taking
the time to come out and be a part of these
videos.
On Saturday at 12:00pm at Rose North in
Mishawaka, Street Kids Softball will play against
members of the B3 (named for Berto's number
"3") team in the pool play of the spring tournament.
Prior to the start of the game, a special moment
of silence will be observed for Berto and softball
commissioner Chad Meyers will make the
announcement that beginning immediately, Rose
North will now be known as Berto Field.
Members of Berto's family is expected to be
on hand, including his mother Nileida.
If you are in the area, please take a moment to
stop by around noon and witness this event and
if you knew Berto, tell his mother how much his
friendship meant to you. That is the main thing
that keeps her going everyday, knowing that
Berto was loved by so many people.
Click the B3rto icon to the right to see the
original story written on the SKS website and
the emotional poem that was read at his funeral.
original story written on the SKS website and
the emotional poem that was read at his funeral.