Miami Beach committee backs sending proposal to name Flamingo Park baseball field for coach Skip Berman to full commission

The City of Miami Beach’s Public Safety & Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee voted to send a proposal to the full City Commission to name the Flamingo Park baseball field after longtime Miami Beach Senior High coach Skip Berman.

Committee members discussed the proposal on Sept. 9 after Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez introduced it, saying alumni and residents asked the city to recognize Berman’s decades of service. Parks and Recreation staff told the committee the cost to implement signage and a scoreboard recognition is estimated at $10,000 or less.

Parks staff said the city typically coordinates with family and community members on the form of recognition, and suggested placing a name on the scoreboard or on the field façade so visitors see the dedication. Committee members confirmed there is no prior official name on the field that would create a conflict.

Commissioner Rosen Gonzalez moved to forward the item to the full commission with the recommendation to add Berman’s name to the scoreboard; staff indicated the formal budget estimate will be refined during design and procurement. No final action to adopt the name was taken at the committee meeting; the measure was referred for full-commission consideration.

The referral will give commissioners a chance to review final costs and proposed signage before any naming is finalized.

Takeaway: The committee referred the naming request to the full commission; staff will return with design and cost details for the scoreboard or field signage.