There are players that when you write down on paper, all of their personal and team accomplishments you are left in awe.  To think one person could play at a high level for an extended period of time and earn that many awards is truly amazing.   

In over 30 years of softball, 21 in USSSA, Elmhurst’s Bernie Carroll has played on some of the top teams in the state along the way gathering many personal and team accolades.

Carroll played on some powerful teams that included One Hour Cleaners, Ken Adams Softball, Bank of Westmont, Mid America Concrete, Tron Piping and Ken’s Beverage, before retiring in 2004.  He lists pitcher and catcher as his main positions, but also spent time in the outfield and first base as well a designating hitting.  A lifetime .575 hitter, Carroll had power to all fields as his 1,200 career home runs attest to.

Bernie was named Most Valuable player in three tournaments over his career.  First at the 1987 14” State held in Aurora, then in 1985 Class B Qualifier in Downers Grove and finally at the 2000 Class B N.I.T. in Joliet.  Carroll was also selected seven times to a State Tournament all-tournament team, the last being in the 2000 Over 45 State Tournament.  He was also an All-World team selection in the 1995 Over 35 and 1998 over 40 World Tournaments.  He played on 16 State Championship teams and three World Championship clubs.

In 1996 and 1997 his team captured the Over 35 Major World championships and in 2002 with Ken’s Beverage, won the Over 40 World title.  He lists the 1996 championship as one of his greatest thrill while competing in USSSA play to go along with the Bank of Westmont state title in 1989.  He also played in a Class A or B at State Tournament and World Tournament from 1982 to 2003.

“I lived for softball in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s,” said Carroll.  I know for a lot of the people I played with and who ran the program, it was a lot more than recreation.  It has been a huge part of our lives.”

There is no doubt that Carroll did live for the game of softball and the USSSA is where he made his mark.  For over two decades he used his skills earn personal goals as well as helping his teams reach their ultimate goals.