Floyd Berrien grew up at 31st and Calumet. He attended Douglas Grammar School and Wendell Phillips High School, class of 1944. Floyd started playing softball in 1942 with two teams: the Pepsi Cola Aces at 33rd and Wentworth and at 62nd and Calumet and with the Gaylords at Madden Park. He also played with the Vicks and the Van Dykes. He was a catcher who hit in the sixth spot in the line-up. He also played left field. In 1957 he managed and coached youth softball teams before he started umpiring in 1960 for teams on Chicago’s South and West sides. He retired in 1992. He is a retired truck drive and is a devoted father and husband. They have twelve children, twenty-eight grandchildren, and fifteen greatgrandchildren. He travels with his wife, a singer with the New City Mass Choir.
