Alison Payne

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 in communities around the world who contribute their time to the Little League program.

“For more than six years, Alison Payne has looked out for the best interests of the children participating in the York County Little League,” Stephen D. Keener, president and chief executive officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “Mrs. Payne’s own Little Leaguers are proud of her for being a ‘cool’ team mom, and the league’s children are thankful because she has opened her arms to make all the players feel special.”

Each year Little Leaguers compose an essay that explains why their mothers should be the Little League Mom of the Year. From that group, one Little League mother is selected. Nominated by her daughter, Amanda, Mrs. Payne will receive the award at the Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pa., scheduled for Aug. 19-28.

“During the season my mom is player agent for 1,200 kids in our league,” Amanda Payne said. “She is the best team mom for me, and my sister’s teams. Everyone thinks that she is the coolest, and so do I. She deserves this award.”

Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.7 million players and 1 million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.