Bert Parke, who helped bring the Arkansas Travelers back to Little Rock in the 1960s, served as its president for three decades and remained a loyal fan, died Wednesday at his home in Little Rock. He was 83.
Parke, a lifelong Little Rock resident, joined a group that helped bring the Travelers back to Little Rock after a one-year hiatus in 1963. He served on the team's board, its executive committee and in 1980 became president of the Travelers' executive committee.
Parke was active in the team's efforts to join the Texas League in 1966, after three years as the Class AAA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, and promoted the hiring of Carl Sawatski and Bill Valentine as general manager.
Parke served as president through attendance booms in the 1980s, the breaking of a longtime player development contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and the move from Ray Winder Field in Little Rock to Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock. He was named president emeritus in 2010 and watched many games from a suite behind home plate.
Parke was inducted into the Texas League Hall of Fame in June.
Sports on 08/13/2015