From The Tribune staff reports
HUEYTOWN — Longtime Hueytown High School baseball coach Rick Patterson passed away at an area hospital on Tuesday.
According to social media posts from family, Patterson was hospitalized last week with kidney issues. After nearly a week in the hospital, he passed away Tuesday morning, sparking sadness throughout the Birmingham-area baseball community and beyond.
GHS Rockets Baseball: “We are very saddened to hear about the passing of (Hueytown) head coach, Rick Patterson. Our prayers are with his family, the Hueytown baseball family, as well as the Hueytown faculty and community.”
Hewitt Baseball: “We are very saddened to hear the news of Rick Patterson, of Hueytown, passing away. Coach Patterson was a true ambassador for high school baseball in our state. Truly a great coach, but a better man that helped his players and fellow coaches be the best they could be.”
Hoover Bucs Baseball: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of (Hueytown) Head Coach Rick Patterson. Coach was always first class. He will be missed. Prayers for his family and the Hueytown program during this difficult time.”
Patterson served 28 years as the Gophers’ baseball coach, leading multiple state semifinal playoff runs, most recently in 2016, 2017 and 2019. He was 62 years old.
