New Berlin Baseball Field To Be Renamed For Community Leader

NEW BERLIN, WI — Few know more about building a legacy than Darrell Standish.

A longtime New Berlin community member heavily involved in youth sports, Standish has coached youth baseball and soccer, founded and coached the New Berlin Heat, served as president and treasurer of the New Berlin Athletic Association and much more.

Not long ago, Standish found out he has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS and Lou Gehrig's disease, which weakens the muscles of the body.

Although he can no longer be as involved with youth sports as he once was, athletes will now see his name and face every time they take to the field.

Tom Farina, a retired baseball coach from New Berlin West High School, said he met Standish when the latter man's sons were in Farina's baseball program.

Farina said that during his time as a coach, Standish helped found an athletic booster club and served as a coach for the freshman and junior varsity teams. "It was immeasurable, the things he was able to do for us," Farina told Patch.

Farina was not alone in noticing the impact Standish's service had on his community. He was also named New Berlin's Citizen of the Year in 2016.

When Farina found out Standish had been diagnosed with ALS, he began working on a plan.

Farina — along with Mike Neuens, Chris Rink, Don Marx and Steve Chard — decided Calhoun Park in New Berlin should be renamed in Standish's honor.

"In essence, he got that field going to become the New Berlin Heat youth baseball field," he said.

The cohort of men went to the city government and asked if the field could be renamed. The city, he said, was cooperative and had completely approved the initiative in just six to eight weeks.

"We had already purchased the sign because we knew it was going to happen," he said.

On Oct. 10, the field will be outfitted with two signs, one that reads "Darrell Standish Field" and a plaque recognizing the man's many contributions to his community.

Once the renaming was approved, Farina said some of the men involved in the project set up a Zoom meeting to share the news with Standish.

"He was extremely happy, obviously, and somewhat emotional, which was to be expected," Farina said. "We’re very excited about the fact that we get to do this for Darrell. It's a well-earned honor and something that will be there forever."

The ceremony will be held at noon Saturday. Darrell Standish Field is at 5400 S. Calhoun Road in New Berlin.

"Community is more than welcome to be a part of it," Farina said. "As we are going through the situation in the country we’re going rough, we simply would ask people to maintain social distancing and feel free to wear masks if they so choose. We will make it a nice celebration for Darrell."

This story was updated to clarify the date of the field dedication, which will be held Oct. 10.