Parents of Detroit Tigers’ Third Baseman Brandon Inge Chosen as 2009 Little League Parents of the Year
PrintWhile volunteering in Little League, Mrs. Inge was instrumental in starting a Little League Softball program and was the league’s softball director for a couple of years, along with serving as Team Mom for both of her sons’ teams.
“Little League was such a happy time for us,” Mrs. Inge said. “We couldn’t miss a Little League game because you never get those days back.
“When we heard that we had been chosen as Parents of the Year, we could not believe it … We were overwhelmed,” Mrs. Inge said. “We haven’t done anything more than any other parents in Little League. We volunteered because our kids were there and we loved it. This is a great honor and we both really appreciate, but I feel every Little League parent out there deserves this award.”
The George and Barbara Bush Little League Parents of the Year Award was established in 1980 and is presented annually to the parents of a Major League Baseball player who were actively involved in their son’s Little League experience. The award is named in honor of the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, and former First Lady Barbara Bush. Both were Little League volunteers during their children’s early years in Midland, Texas, and continue to support Little League today.
“For parents to let their children experience life, and still be supportive and engaged without becoming an intrusion is many times a daunting and thankless challenge,” Stephen D. Keener, President and Chief Executive Officer of Little League Baseball and Softball, said. “For Mr. and Mrs. Inge they discovered that balance early on, and gave their children the space to achieve and excel. As Brandon Inge has shown, becoming a Major League Baseball player is an attainable dream, but during his time in Little League what was important was playing baseball and having fun. Mr. and Mrs. Inge were there for Brandon, and nurtured the balance between work ethic, the will to succeed and enjoying the game, and they did so in support of Little League. We are proud to present them with this award.”
More than recognition of one set of parents annually, the George and Barbara Bush Parents of the Year Award is designed to be a symbolic recognition of the millions of mothers and fathers who each year respond to the call of parental duty and help to provide a wholesome healthy arena for leadership training for the children of their respective communities.
Some of the past recipients of the award include: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Schmidt, (parents of Mike Schmidt, 1981), Mr. and Mrs. Carl Yastremski (parents of Carl Yastremski, 1989); Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Mussina (parents of Mike Mussina, 1996), Dr. and Mrs. Charles Jeter (parents of Derek Jeter, 2000); Mr. and Mrs. Joe Varitek (parents of Jason Varitek, 2003) and last year’s recipients, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Verlander, the parents of Brandon’s teammate with the Tigers, Justin Verlander.
Little League Baseball and Softball is the world’s largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.6 million players and one million adult volunteers in every U.S. state and scores of other countries.
