National Hall of Fame, Special Service Category
BERNIE GIERACH –As a player, umpire, sponsor, manager, and “The Voice of the Metro,” Bernie Gierach’s contributions to the betterment of the game may be unmatched locally. After completing a 32-year playing career, he began coaching and managing men’s and women’s teams. He umpired for 10 years and became a clinician for the ASA Metro. Bernie is perhaps best known however as “The Voice of the Metro,” announcing 840 games from 1998 to 2013. Beginning in 2005, his Bobcat Enterprises women’s team won 5 straight Metros and 7 overall. Then for 8 years, his CincySoftball and Jake’s/Godbey teams began competing at the state and national level. After 3 top 3 finishes in WSL and USSSA Worlds in 2012-’13, Jake’s captured a WSL World in 2015. Bernie was honored with the John Earls Memorial Award in 2005 and was a 2022 inductee into the WSL Hall of Fame.