Fountain Valley Has International Mom of the Year

Karen Smith never expected to be standing near the mound on an August day at the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, PA, throwing out the first pitch during pre-game ceremonies.

Of course, how many Little League moms are chosen as International Little League Mom of the Year?

Smith was one third of the Little League trifecta that represented District 62 last summer in Williamsport. Along with the Ocean View team that won the World Series, Lee Batterman became the first umpire work a game, and Smith was the city's first Little League mom of the year.

The Little League Mom of the Year Award was established in 1991 as a symbolic form of recognition and tribute to the millions of mothers around the world who contribute their time and effort to the Little League program.

Smith said she found out on closing day last season that she was being nominated for the award based on a letter that her two sons, Parker, 12, and Braeden, 9, wrote and submitted. The following week she received a letter notifying her that she had won the award.

"I wasn't striving to be mom of the year. It's just part of our life during baseball season, an everyday thing from now to June," said Smith, during Opening Day this season. "I couldn't believe it when I opened the letter saying I'd won. I don't think the kids really answered the questions, but I think they liked (the letter) because they could tell it was written by kids."

Smith said she had a great time at Williamsport just sitting and watching the kids play baseball, which she rarely has time to do. Little did Smith know that along with being a mom and fan she also was a celebrity, along with several other volunteers who were recognized for their service and long-time dedication to Little League Baseball. 

"The players from one country asked me if they could take pictures with me," Smith said. "I didn't believe them at first, but I did."

Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, told Little League Baseball Online that Smith typlifies what most Little League moms go through every season.

“Mrs. Smith is an example of a mom who is able to balance the demands of her work and a family, while also finding additional time for the local Little League. In addition to being an enthusiastic supporter of her family, she has shown she is an impactful role model for other parents and children in her local league. She is the type of person that makes Little League the best youth sports organization in the world.”

Smith is still disbelieving about her award, humbly saying she doesn't do more than any other volunteer. She approaches each day during baseball season with the same love for the kids and the game that she had 12 years ago when she began going to Little League games to watch her sister's boys. 

Eight years ago Smith was "recruited" by the Fountain Valley Little League when both her sons were playing and her husband, Phil Smith, was coaching. She has been a member of the league's Board fo the last four years, and served as the Secretary for one season. Her duties as player agent included organizing sign-ups, conducting tryouts and the draft, forming lower division teams and coordinating the selection of the all-star teams.

And during most games, Smith usually can be found working behind the snack bar, coordinating and stocking it with the help of another volunteer.

"Usually I come here early in the morning and don't sit down the whole day," said Smith, who also works as a hair dresser and at her sister's graphic arts supply company. "You're the first one here and the last one to leave. It's hustle and bustle continuously."

Her husband should know. Phil Smith has been involved in some aspect of the Fountain Valley Little League for 10 years and is starting his fourth year as the league's president. He said he wouldn't know what to do if his wife wasn't  at the field every day during the season. 

“She does everything,"  he said. "She makes everything easier for me.”

However, it doesn't get any easier for the Smith family. Parker played majors last year, and this year he's on the freshman team at Fountain Valley High, so practices and games have expanded beyond the Little League field. Braeden has started his sixth season in the league and is playing majors this year.

"With the older one playing on the freshman team you just keep on going," Smith said. "It's part of our everyday life. You just do it. This year we're  trying to get everything together but it takes so long."

Having a District 62 team not only advance to the Little League World Series but win it also has created more excitement than other seasons.

"When Ocean View went (to the World Series) people tuned it and were surprised at how good the kids were. They were hooked, waiting for the next game to see," Smith said. "Our district was hoping that it would get people to come over to Little League, and I think it has. We have people who once played Little League and now have their kids here playing Little League. That's what I like about our league. It's smaller. People don't leave Fountain Valley."

And that's good news for the future of baseball in Fountain Valley.

Past Recipients of the Little League Mom of the Year Award
1991-Lisa Parker, Anderson (W. Va.) LL
1992-Monique Evans, Riverside (Calif.) LL
1993-Theresa Wiseman, Louisville (Ky.) LL
1994-Donna Dahlen, Hanover (Pa.) LL
1995-Dee Brankley, Onancock (Va.) LL
1996-Julie Erskine, Storm Lake (Iowa) LL
1997-Melissa Teeples, American LL, Sparta, Tenn.
1998-Sherry Boyd, North LL, Palatine, Ill.
1999-Sheelah Elliott, North Clark LL, Yacolt, Wash.
2000-Brenda Hopper, Coventry (R.I.) LL
2001-Collette Nellis, Mexico (N.Y.) LL
2002-Susan DiPrinzio, Audubon (N.J.) LL
2003-Stacy Deibel, Poquoson (Va.) LL
2004-Debbie Esenwein, Columbiana (Ohio) Youth LL
2005-Alison Payne, York County LL, Yorktown, Va.
2006-Elaina Jurecki, American LL, San Ramon, Calif.
2007-Michelle Foglia, East Hampton LL, Montauk, N.Y.
2008-Abby Contini, Dover (Ohio) Baseball LL
2009-Chrissy Lisle, Apopka (Fla.) LL
2010-Tyler Prewitt, Eastern Little League, Lexington, Ky.

Source: Little League Baseball and Softball Online