WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Aaron Judge was the center of attention as the Yankees took in the sights and sounds at the Little League World Series on Sunday afternoon, with thousands of youngsters clamoring for a moment of the captain’s time. There were autographs, there were selfies, and there were hugs.

Amid another fine season that seems likely to produce his second American League Most Valuable Player Award, Judge acknowledges that none of this would have been possible without the help of his parents, Patty and Wayne.

Those superstars of Judge’s life were honored in an on-field ceremony before the scheduled Little League World Series game between Puyallup, Wash., and Newtown, Pa. In her remarks to the crowd, Patty recalled how a 2-year-old Judge once wandered off during his older brother’s Little League Opening Day game in Linden, Calif.

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“We were there to have such a grand time, and if it wasn’t for Little League parents like you, I would not have found Aaron,” Patty Judge said. “He just ran through the field, saw some friends and in two seconds he was gone. But Little League saved him, and I really want to thank all of you for representing your children in Little League.”

A pair of schoolteachers, Patty and Wayne adopted Aaron when he was two days old, prioritizing the importance of learning above sports.

"It's helped me try to live to a higher standard," Judge once said. "They wanted me to always make sure I put education first and make sure I prioritized everything. If I was going to make plans, stick to them. Make sure I'm on a tight schedule and make sure I don't miss anything."

Not that Judge was always so understanding, something that he laughed about years later.

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"I wanted to go outside and play with my friends or play some video games, but they were tough on me," Judge said. "They'd say, 'Hey, you've got homework to do. You've got to finish your math homework and science homework. Then if you have time left over before dinner, you can go play.' Something like that. I didn't like it as a kid, but looking back on it, I really appreciate what they did for me."

Judge’s All Rise Foundation, which he runs with his parents, is dedicated to inspiring children to become responsible citizens by engaging in activities that encourage them to reach unlimited possibilities.

“Congratulations to all of the teams,” Patty Judge said. “You guys have been doing the hard work. Good luck, and I want to see what you’re doing in the future in 10 years.”