Springer’s parents honored at LLWS

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — A simple but important philosophy sums up why George and Laura Springer were named the 2016 Little League Parents of the Year.

“Being a parent is not a spectator sport,” said George Springer Jr., father of the Houston Astros’ outfielder. “To be a successful parent, you need to be involved in your kids’ lives and always balance what is right for them.”

With daughters Nicole and Lena on hand — son George III was busy playing right field for the Astros — the Springers were honored in an on-field ceremony just prior to the Little League World Series championship game Sunday.

“To be honored as a Parent of the Year by this organization that does so much for kids through volunteer work is an extraordinary award,” George Jr. said. “But I have a confession: Little League has given us a lot more than we have given Little League. It has provided a safe haven for our children to play and a place to learn life skills.”

Their dedication to, and involvement in, their kids’ lives has certainly paid off for the Springer clan. Youngest daughter Lena is a pitcher for Ohio State University’s softball team, which made the NCAA Super Regionals last year. Her big sister, Nicole, was an all-conference softball player at Central Connecticut State and now coaches both high school and college softball.

Then, of course, …

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