Columbiana's youth baseball community took time today to live up to a former coach's mantra, "Leave it better than you found it."

Those that knew Brian Patrick held a special field dedication and monument unveiling at the Columbiana Youth Baseball facility.

Field five has been named after him in honor of all the hard work and dedication he put in before his passing.

Brian passed suddenly in May of 2020 at the age of 53.

Michelle Patrick, Brian's wife of 28 years spoke at the dedication saying, "I'm so blessed to have had Brian in my life. I can't be anything but grateful to have known him."

The stone unveiled in his memory will now live on in the park with a short biography and image of Brian

"His passing hit us all really hard, Brian touched so many lives by coaching their kids, being a mentor, and being involved in the community," said Mike Hopfenziz, Brian's friend and fellow coach with Columbiana Youth Baseball.

"He never wanted the recognition, he did it because he loved the kids and his community," said Hopfenziz

Some of Brian's former players showed up to remember his life and the lessons he taught them.

Several local businesses and individuals also donated money to make the new monument possible.