Darrell Standish Field In New Berlin To Be Dedicated On Oct. 10

NEW BERLIN, WI— Darrell Standish has been an asset to the community for over 35 years in assisting and working with several youth organizations throughout the City of New Berlin. One of Darrell’s greatest and most notable contributions has been his involvement in the New Berlin Athletic Association, an organization which he has led and worked with for over 25 years.

The dedication ceremony for the Darrell Standish Baseball Diamond will be held at noon on Saturday at Calhoun Park, South Baseball Diamond, 5400 S. Calhoun Rd.

“On behalf of the entire Common Council and all the lives which Darrell has impacted, we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for his many decades of service. His time and talents have enriched this community profoundly. This recognition is long overdue and certainly well-deserved” New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament said in a news release.

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 is known to weaken 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 during his time as a coach, Standish helped found an athletic booster club and also 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.