Briefly In Sports

Karen Smith of the Fountain Valley Little League has been selected the 2011 Little League Mom of the Year by Little League International. Smith was also selected Mom of the Year for Fountain Valley Little League.

“I was shocked,� she said. “I was told that our league had nominated me for the award, but I never thought anything would come of it. And now, all this.�

The Little League Mom of the Year Award was established in 1991 as a tribute mothers who contribute their time and effort to the Little League program, said Scott Rosenberg, director of public relations for Little League International. Each year, Little Leaguers compose essays explaining why their mothers should be the official “Little League Mom of the Year.� From that group, one Little Leaguer’s mother is selected as the official Little League Mom of the Year.

Smith said her sons — Parker, 12, and Braeden, 9, All-Star players for the FVLL Majors and 9/10 teams, respectively — submitted an essay about her to FVLL, which then sent the essay to Little League International.

“Mrs. Smith is an example of a mom who balances the demands of her family and her work, while also volunteering her time to the Fountain Valley Little League,� Rosenberg said in an email statement. “She supports her husband and two boys, each of whom is involved with the Fountain Valley Little League, and she exemplifies an impactful role model by embracing many different volunteer roles in the league. Mrs. Smith personifies the type of person that makes Little League the best youth sports organization in the country.�

Smith, who said she does the shopping and ordering for the FVLL snack bar, was honored prior to the start of the Little League District 62 All-Star Tournament on June 25.

Smith, her two sons and husband, Phil, who has been president of FVLL for the past three years, will be flown as guests of Little League International in late August to Williamsport, Pa., to attend the Little League World Series. Rosenberg said Smith will be honored during an awards breakfast Aug. 25 and also during an on-field ceremony during the World Series tournament.

“It’s always been my son’s (Parker) dream to get there (Little League World Series), and now he gets that chance, but it’ll be as a spectator, not as a player,� Smith said with a laugh.

— Mike Sciacca

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OC Elite 12U second at softball tourney

The OC Elite 12-and-Under Sandoval team finished in second place at the Triple Crown Series tournament, held June 25-26.

The team, composed of players from Huntington Beach, Trabuco Canyon, Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel, suffered two losses on the opening day of the tournament but rebounded to win four consecutive games.

The team has qualified for the Triple Crown World Series of Softball that will be held later this month in Reno, Nev. The team is Callie Saccacio, Paige Sandoval, Kat Stall, Sidney Ward, Cameron Cecil, Alexa Abramek, Clair Richards, Kelley Settineri, Krista Dalgarn, Amber Reinke, Bailey Corona and Savannah Valdez and coaches Joe Sandoval, Jeff Cecil and John Stall.

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Jr. All-American online registration open

Huntington Beach Jr. All American Football and Cheer is still accepting online registration for youth football and cheerleading. Opening practices begin July 25 and run from 6 to 8 p.m. To register or for additional information, visit https://www.hbjaaf.com.

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Youth hoops camp opens July 25

The 12th annual Edison Basketball Youth Camp, which is co-sponsored by PCH Hoops, runs July 25-29 at the Edison High gymnasium. The camp runs for 1 to 1 p.m. daily and is open to youth grades third through eighth at a cost of $120 per camper. Each camper also receives a complimentary basketball. Instruction in fundamentals will be taught by coaches from Edison and other area high schools. For more information, call (949) 378-4416.

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U.S. Open of Surfing starts July 30

The 2011 Nike U.S. Open of Surfing will run from July 30 to Aug. 7 at the Huntington Beach Pier. The world’s largest youth culture and action sports festival also features skate, BMX, music, fashion and art and is free to the public. For information, visit https://www.usopenofsurfing.com.