When Mike Harrington passed away in July 2015, he was described by family and friends as a quiet hero, a pillar in the community, a gentle giant and someone who loved working with youth.

Harrington was a youth baseball coach for more than 20 years and his team was called the Tigers.

On Saturday, Poplas Quarter Davis Street Baseball Park was officially renamed the Coach Mike “Michael” Harrington Baseball Field.

District A Councilwoman Gloria Kates held the dedication, joined by representatives of the Bogalusa Little League, Harrington’s family and friends and other community members.

In his honor, his widow Hazel Harrington received a plaque from the Bogalusa Little League Association board members. He and Hazel were married for 25 years.

His family also started a foundation, The Michael Harrington Foundation. The foundation is raising money to help get lights at the ball park, get scholarships and to assist the little league.

Concessions were sold at the event, which served as the foundation’s first fundraiser.

“To sum up the dedication, the Little League baseball teams played their first game of this season on the renamed field,” Harrington’s daughter Emberly Robinson said. “His team won!”

Robinson said Harrington was known as a silent giant in the community for his big heart and love of kids.

“His main focus was the kids and keeping them off the streets,” she said.