When the Green Haven man known as “Mr. Softball of Pasadena” died recently, members of the community where he mentored hundreds of county girls over a 40-year period wanted to honor his legacy.

Robbie Robinson died Jan. 26 of complications from vascular dementia. He was 91. Robinson’s family, friends and mentees say its only right to name a softball field at Northeast Middle School in his honor because that was where he could often be found teaching kids the fundamentals of the game.

“I hope we get that field in his name,” said Cindy Burford, a neighbor and friend of Robinson’s for more than 25 years. “It should be a constant reminder of how this neighborhood used to be and should strive to be: a neighbor like him.”

Robinson, who founded the Green Haven softball program in 1978, fully funded and coached — at times up to four softball teams — each season until 2018 in Anne Arundel County softball leagues. Oftentimes, former players returned to Robinson so he could coach their daughters.

Robinson purchased his own equipment for the teams and used his riding mower to care for the fields. He often drove his players to and from games and treated teams to a celebratory ice cream or a meal at McDonald’s to recognize milestones.

“We would all pile into his old Chevy,” recalled Hope Gladden, a former player and Robinson’s neighbor. “I remember he had a bench seat, we would all fight over who got to sit next to him. He was just the kindest man I’ve ever met in my entire life”

Robinson’s reach expanded beyond the softball diamond. While he never married or had kids of his own, he would often fill his home with abused and abandoned children, provide for them financially and serve as a surrogate parent.

His inclination to help less fortunate Green Haven children was a result of his own upbringing. Robinson endured a difficult childhood and had a negative relationship with his father, according to his brother, Frederick “Rob” Robinson, of Severna Park.

“He would drop everything and make sure they had a meal or they had everything ready for school,” Gladden said. “People say you have to have kids to have that parental instinct. Mr. Robbie, he had it naturally. He was a caregiver to everyone around him.”

Robinson installed a full-sized playground in the lot next to his house with metal swings and a structure from an area-park that was being closed.

Robinson started his career with the Green Haven Volunteer Fire Company as a teenager. He was later hired by the department as a full-time driver while continuing to volunteer. He retired from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in 1992.

One of the trucks he drove throughout his career escorted Robinson’s funeral procession to his burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Baltimore.

“The impact he’s had on this community is really so astonishing,” his brother said. “No matter where I go over the years, be it Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Pasadena, it doesn’t matter, he’s unofficially tagged as ‘Mayor of Green Haven.’ That takes an awful lot of good deeds.”

Robinson, an Army veteran, was president of the Green Haven Improvement Association, which was involved in the revitalization of Green Haven Wharf and installing sidewalks throughout Pasadena.

Lawmakers and representatives — who knew Robinson and are just beginning to learn of his impact — are supporting the cause.

State Sen. Bryan Simonaire, a Republican representing District 31, which includes Pasadena, supports naming a field in honor of Robinson.

“Robbie was an icon when I entered the state Senate and always an advocate for the community especially for youth sports,” Simonaire said. “I think it very fitting he should be honored this way.”

Erica McFarland, three months into her term as District 3 representative for the Anne Arundel County Board of Education, has begun the process of honoring Robinson within the school district. She said she is open to renaming the field or dedicating a plaque in Robinson’s honor.

Robinson took his pride for Green Haven softball with him through his last days. While at Heart Felt Home, a Pasadena assisted living facility, he would not exit his roomwithout his Green Haven softball hat, his brother said.

“If you were on one of his bowling teams, one of his pool teams, one of his softball teams or you lived in Green Haven, you were his family pure and simple,” Robinson said. “He lived, breathed and devoted himself entirely to the Green Haven community.”

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