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Joyce Guy has a favorite Little League moment, compliments of her son, Dontrelle Willis.
Willis, then 11 years old, had just scored a run in an important playoff game in the Alameda (Calif.) Little League in 1993 when he caught mom off guard. Normally focused during games, Willis paused for a memorable moment.
"After touching home plate, he winked at me and then flashed a smile as if to say, 'Thanks, mom.' You could see how happy he was," Guy says. "I thought, that's my baby, Dontrelle."
A lot has changed for the All-Star left-handed pitcher with the Florida Marlins since he played for Alameda, near Oakland. In 2003, Willis was the National League rookie of the year and earned a World Series ring with the Marlins.
But 2006 is about mom.
That's because Guy has won the George and Barbara Bush Parents of the Year Award. It has been presented annually since 1980 by Little League to the parents of a major league player who were actively involved in their son's Little League experience. The Bushes were Little League volunteers while raising their family in Midland, Texas.
Guy, the first single parent honored, receives the award today in Williamsport, Pa., headquarters of Little League International. She'll also be recognized on the field during the Little League Baseball World Series.
Little League thrives on its volunteers. Guy worked the snack stand and was a field monitor in Alameda. "I did whatever it took," she says.
The same thing can be said for her as a role model for her two sons. Guy often labored long hours as a welder and ironworker. "You do what you have to (as a single parent). It wasn't easy but worth every sacrifice," she says.
"Being a single parent has many unique challenges, and in meeting those challenges she (Guy) has instilled in her children the values of responsibility and hard work," says Stephen Keener, president and CEO of Little League.
In Willis' case, he inherited mom's generous spirit. Last year, he was the Marlins' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the major leaguer who combines outstanding skills on the field and in the community. He also sponsors a T-ball team in Alameda and assists the Alameda Little League with fundraising.
Guy joins a list of award recipients that includes the parents of Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt (1981) and Carl Yastrzemski (1989). Last year's recipients were the parents of Jose and Javier Valentin, the first Little League parents of the year to have two sons reach the majors.
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