Little League® International mourns the passing of Dr. Michael K. Smith, 2008 Little League Volunteer of the Year. He was 63.
Dr. Smith, a resident of Seaford, Del., volunteered in Nanticoke Little League, serving as League President and several other capacities in more than 20 years of service. Dr. Smith was a member of the Delaware District 3 Volunteer Staff. During tournament season, he was an integral part of the player verification process, checking birth certificates and team affidavits; and was a game director. He served as the Delaware District 3 Minor and Major Division Softball Tournament Director, and volunteered at the Senior League Softball World Series, in Lower Sussex, Del.
A 1974 graduate of Robert E. Peary High School in Rockville, Md., Dr. Smith obtained a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State (Md.) University; and two master’s degrees, and a doctorate from Wilmington (Del.) University.
A school educator for 40 years, his most recent position was as Principal of North Caroline High School in Denton, Md. Dr. Smith was retired from the State of Delaware where he served as an educator and coach in the Lake Forest and Laurel School Districts before making his home in the Seaford School District.
During his years in Seaford, Dr. Smith held many titles: special education teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, Director of Special Education, and after retirement, school board member elected by the Seaford community.
In 2008, Dr. Smith was selected as Little League International’s Volunteer of the Year, and was honored during that 62nd Little League Baseball World Series in Williamsport, Pa. The Little League Volunteer of the Year award recognizes the selfless efforts of more than one million volunteers at the grass-roots level of the Little League program.
Aside from his regular-season duties as league president, Dr. Smith coached teams in the Tee Ball, Minor Softball, and Major Baseball divisions. He also umpired games and coordinated the concession stand for the local league. Dr. Smith developed plans for two new fields, including one that was dedicated in 2008, to mark the 50th anniversary of Nanticoke Little League.
Dr. Smith is survived by his wife, Stephanie; sons, Carter and Hayden; daughters, Rylie and Sydnee; brothers, Keith, Kerry, and Russ; and granddaughter, Mia.