East Marietta Little Leaguer a 'Good Sport'

When the 66th Little League World Series begins next month in Williamsport, Pa., Braeden Swilley will be more than an interested onlooker. 

The 10-year-old catcher for the will be honored by the global Little League Baseball and Softball organization as its 2012 Little League "Good Sport of the Year."

Swilley, who will be a 5th grader this fall at , will be recognized for exemplifying "superior qualities of sportsmanship, leadership, a commitment to teamwork and a desire to excel."

In an incident this spring that was mentioned in Swilley's nomination, he was struck in the face mask by a bat and was dazed for a moment. But after resuming his position behind the plate, Swilley met with the batter and they touched gloves, indicating no hard feelings. 

“I don’t think I did anything that any other player wouldn’t have," Swilley said in an interview on the Little League website. “I just wanted to let him know what happened is part of the game, that’s just baseball.” 

He is the son of Smith and Sweden Swilley.