Community Heroes of the Year

Established in 1989, the Little League^® Volunteer of the Year Award was created to recognize the countless hours of volunteer service that millions of volunteers put in to assure that their Little League can thrive and provide a fun, rewarding experience for all.

2021 – No winners due to COVID-19
2020 – No winner due to COVID-19
2019 – Howard Dickson – California District 12 (San Jose, Calif.)
2018 – Terry Dodd – Issaquah LL – Issaquah, Wash.
2017 – Joe O’Connor – Braintree American LL – Braintree, Mass.
2016 – Donald “Donny” Overholser – Fort Myers LL – Fort Myers, Fla.
2015 – John M. Murtin – Mahanoy City LL – Barnesville, Pa.
2014 – Ed Wilson – Midland Northeast LL – Midland, Mich.
2013 – Dave Mantlo – Grand Junction, Colo.
2012 – Greg Hodges – Needville LL – Needville, Texas
2011 – Fred Lewers – Palm Coast LL – Palm Coast, Fla.
2010 – Mike Messick – Pennsville LL – Pennsville, N.J.
2009 – Michael Shutler – North LL – Jackson, Mich.
2008 – Michael Smith – Nanticoke LL, Nanticoke, Del.
2007 – Kenny Mull – Mountaineer LL – Waynesville, N.C.
2006 – William Bryan – Georgetown LL – Georgetown, Del.
2005 – Dorothy Foster – Lionsville LL – Lionsville, Pa.
2004 – Rebecca Alviso – Jourdanton LL – Jourdanton, Texas
2003 – Eloy Sutton – Oregon District 8 LL – Central Pointe, Ore.
2002 – Jeff Gray – Deer Park LL – Newport News, Va.
2001 – John Masucci – Lake of the Clouds LL – Ontonagon, Mich.
2000 – Richard Hilton – National LL – East Marietta, Ga.
1999 – Vic Price – Great Falls LL – Great Falls, Va.
1998 – Sam Fleishman – American LL – Fort Myers, Fla.
1997 – Wendy Covert – Saugerties LL – Saugerties, N.Y.
1996 – Marlin Culp – Osolo LL – Elkhart, Ind.
1995 – Lynne Humphries – Lamar LL – Richland, Texas
1994 – Bob Crutchley – Natinoal LL – East Marietta, Ga.
1993 – John Barrow – Holbrook LL – Holbrook, Ariz.
1992 – George W. Groce – Kernersville LL – Kernersville, N.C.
1991 – Floyd Hull – Federal LL – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
1990 – Robert Beberg – American LL – Concord, Calif.
1989 – Edward Janser – Terryville LL – Terryville, Conn.

The Little League Softball® Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to developing a Little League Softball program in their community or district. The individual should be an active Little League volunteer in good standing, who is committed to the ideals and goals of the Little League® program.

2021 – No winners due to COVID-19
2020 – No winner due to COVID-19
2019 – Andrew Bergman – Yough LL – Smithton, Pa.
2018 – Colette Cloyd – Michigan District 16 – Belleville, Mich.
2017 – Cat McDowall – Magnolia LL – Seattle, Wash.
2016 – Suzie Garcia – Thornydale LL – Tucson, Ariz.

The Howard and Gail Paster Little League® Urban Initiative Volunteer of the Year Award was created to recognize the vital volunteer service being performed in urban settings around the country. This award acknowledges an adult volunteer, involved with a Little League program participating in the Urban Initiative, who has provided a positive experience for the children and adults within the league’s metropolitan neighborhood or community.

2021 – No winners due to COVID-19
2020 – No winner due to COVID-19
2019 – Carolyn Taggart – Belvedere LL (Decatur, Ga.)
2018 – Dwight Fobbs – Port Arthur (Texas) American LL
2017 – Joanne Jauregui – Airport LL (Sacramento, Calif.)
2016 – Ben Ravenel – North Seminole LL (Tampa, Fla.)
2015 – James Beckum – Stapleton LL (Milwaukee, Wis.)
2014 – Ray Bernal – San Diego (Calif.) American LL
2013 – Bob McCamey – West Dallas (Texas) LL
2012 – Linda Ruff – South Baltimore (Md.) LL
2011 – Kerry Cobb – Memphis (Tenn.) LL
2010 – Bill Haley – Jackie Robinson West LL (Chicago, Ill.)
2009 – Frank Velasquez – C.H.I.L.L. (Houston, Texas)
2008 – James Wright – Yellow Jackets LL (Tampa, Fla.)
2007 – Dr. Wilford Weber – Neartown LL (Houston, Texas)
2006 – Gaither and Rebecca Beard – North Richmond (Va.) LL
2005 – Michael Alban – Ironbound American LL (Newark, N.J.)

The Little League Challenger Division® Award recognizes an individual whose loyal support and inspired volunteer commitment allows physically and intellectually challenged youth the opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of the Little League® program through participation in the Challenger Division.

2021 – No winners due to COVID-19
2020 – No winner due to COVID-19
2019 – Mary Lou Davis – Indiana District 14 Challenger Division – Elkhart, Ind.
2018 – Beverly Newsome – Washington District 8 Challenger Division – Woodinville, Wash.
2017 – Jim Kelly – Toms River East LL – Toms River, N.J.
2016 – Matt Pokorney – Highland Baseball Club – Evansville, Ind.
2015 – Barbara Sky – Newmark LL – San Bernardino, Calif.
2014 – Joni Fichter – West University LL – Houston, Texas
2013 – Dan Vaandering – Aloha, Ore.
2012 – Mike Muranaka – California District 57
2011 – Thomas Taycher – Southern Nevada LL – Las Vegas, Nev.
2010 – Mark Muench – Fairport Perinton LL – Fairport, N.Y.
2009 – Marilyn Wittstock – Clinton Valley LL – Clinton Valley, Mich.
2008 – Bill Fields – Tucson Challenger LL – Tucson, Ariz.
2007 – Dr. Darrell Burnett – Laguna Niguel LL – Laguna Niguel, Calif.
2006 – Raleen Hockenberry – Oregon District 7 – Scotts Mills, Ore.
2005 – Jennifer Burns – New Mexico District 5 – Edgewood, N.M.
2004 – Pablo R. Burgos – Admiral Daniel P. Gallery LL – San Juan, P.R.
2003 – Bonnie McClellan – Holly Hills LL – Canton, Ohio
2002 – Nick Harris – Peachtree City LL – Peachtree City, Ga.
2001 – Eddie Garretson – Springfield LL – Springfield, Va.
2000 – Jake Hardison – Virginia Beach LL – Virginia Beach, Va.
1999 – Jim Green – District 11 – Jacksonville, Fla.
1998 – Ed Beardsley – Edgewood LL – Bristol, Conn.

The Little League® Good Sport of the Year is designed to honor Little Leaguers® who exhibit the values of Little League, exhibit sportsmanship in every aspect of the game, and inspire those around him or her to Play, Dream, and Rally. These children learn what it means to truly be part of a team and conduct themselves accordingly to the principles of fair play and good sportsmanship.

2021 – No winners due to COVID-19
2020 – No winner due to COVID-19
2019 – John Griffin III – Montesano LL – Montesano, Wash.
2018 – Kailee Diaz-Randall – West Side LL – Santa Rosa, Calif.
2017 – Ayden Harris – North Bothell LL – North Bothell, Wash.
2016 – Laci Carter – Dade City LL – Dade City, Fla.
2015 – Alex Illes – Parkland LL – Parkland, Fla.
2014 – Cole Daniels – Montesano LL – Montesano, Wash.
2013 – Jaylon Fong – West Covina LL – West Covina, Calif.
2012 – Braeden Swilley – East Marietta, Ga.
2011 – Colton Bullard – Rye LL – Rye, N.H.
2010 – Cody McCoy – Saddleback LL – Lake Forest, Calif.
2009 – Dieter Miller – Golden Hill LL – Fullerton, Calif.
2008 – Kevin Trainor – Viera Suntree LL – Melbourne, Fla.
2007 – Riley MacKinght – Southside America LL – Syracuse, N.Y.
2006 – Cory Bowman – Dubuque LL – Dubuque, Iowa
2005 – Dawson Fair – National LL – Elizabethtown, Tenn.
2004 – Aaron Willis – West Side LL – Santa Rosa, Calif.
2003 – Brianna Dudley – Northwest LL – Butte, Mont.
2002 – Taylor Thompson – Amelia LL – Beaumont, Texas
2001 – Robert “Bobby” Malouin – Central County LL – Central County, R.I.
2000 – Caitlin Neeson – Southwestern Port St. Luicie – Port St. Lucie, Fla.
1999 – Zachary Dwight – Sunrise LL – Woodland Hills, Calif.
1998 – Madison McDaniel – York County LL – Yorktown, Va.
1997 – Greg Turner – Northern LL – San Angelo, Texas
1996 – Tracy Theriault – Sanford-Springvale LL – Sanford, Maine
1995 – Jose Aguire – Sunrise LL – Canoga Park, Calif.
1994 – Joey Pitchford – Pinole LL – Pinole, Calif.
1993 – Luis Rivera – Coatsville LL – Coatsville, Pa.
1992 – Scott Ford – Walla Walla LL – Walla Walla, Wash.
1991 – Rodney Spardella – Aldine LL – Houston, Texas

The Little League® Mom of the Year was created to recognize those mothers who have volunteered countless hours to their child’s participation in the Little League program. Their singular motivation is that their children have the opportunity to learn the value of teamwork, fair play, discipline, and enjoy the excitement and fun of spring and summer days on a Little League field.

2021 – No winners due to COVID-19
2020 – No winner due to COVID-19
2019 – Katie Kilar – Boulder City LL – Boulder City, Nev.
2018 – Maegan Bowen – Yulee LL – Yulee, Fla.
2017 – Stephanie Moore – Central Greenbrier LL – Lewisburg, W. Va.
2016 – Nancy Newton – Tomball LL – Tomball, Texas
2015 – Michele Manahan – Napa LL – Napa, Calif.
2014 – Betsy Wilson – Orange LL – Orange, Calif.
2013 – Robyn Aikin – St. Augustine, Fla.
2012 – Judy Watts – Laguna Hills LL – Laguna Hills, Calif.
2011 – Karen Smith – Fountain Valley LL – Fountain Valley, Calif.
2010 – Tyler Prewitt – Eastern LL – Lexington, Ky.
2009 – Chrissy Lisle – Apopka LL – Apopka, Fla.
2008 – Abby Contini – Dover Baseball LL – Dover, Ohio
2007 – Michelle Foglia – East Hapton LL – Montauk, N.Y.
2006 – Elaina Jurecki – American LL – San Ramon, Calif.
2005 – Alison Payne – York County LL – Yorktown, Va.
2004 – Debbie Esenwein – Columbiana Youth LL – Columbiana, Ohio
2003 – Stacy Deibel – Poquoson LL – Poquoson, Va.
2002 – Susan DiPrinzio – Audubon LL – Audubon, N.J.
2001 – Collette Nellis – Mexico LL – Mexico, N.Y.
2000 – Brenda Hopper – Coventry LL – Coventry, R.I.
1999 – Sheelah Elliott – North Clark LL – Yacolt, Wash.
1998 – Sherry Boyd – North LL – Palatine, Ill.
1997 – Melissa Teeples – American LL – Sparta, Tenn.
1996 – Julie Erskine – Storm Lake LL – Storm Lake, Iowa
1995 – Dee Brankley – Onancock LL – Onancock, Va.
1994 – Donna Dahlen – Hanover LL – Hanover, Pa.
1993 – Theresa Wiseman – Louisville LL – Louisville, Ky.
1992 – Monique Evans – Riverside LL – Riverside, Calif.
1991 – Lisa Parker – Anderson LL – Anderson, W. Va.