Major League Baseball (MLB) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, this week launched the 2011 Honorary Bat Girl Contest, a campaign to recognize baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and have demonstrated a commitment to eradicating the disease. Dodger fans ages 18 and older can go online at honorarybatgirl.com to share inspirational stories about themselves or loved ones who are “Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer.”
During the Dodgers’ homestand following MLB’s annual Mother’s Day national day of recognition, one honorary Bat Girl representing the Dodgers will take part in pre-game activities, be honored during an on-field ceremony at Dodger Stadium and receive pink MLB merchandise and two tickets to the game. Entries may be submitted at honorarybatgirl.com, a website powered by MLB.com, and will be accepted until the submission period closes on Thursday, April 14.
A celebrity panel of judges will help select the winning submissions based on the following criteria: originality, quality of writing, demonstration of commitment to breast cancer awareness and public appeal as determined by online fan votes. Celebrity judges for this year’s contest include Gabrielle Union, actress and supporter of the cause; Mrs. Billye Aaron, breast cancer survivor, Komen Global Ambassador for breast cancer and wife of Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron; Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure; Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox All-Star Pitcher and lymphoma survivor; Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim All-Star Pitcher whose mother is a breast cancer survivor; Jim Thome, Five-time All-Star and Minnesota Twins Designated Hitter whose mother passed away from lung cancer; Suzyn Waldman, New York Yankees radio broadcaster and breast cancer survivor; and Mitch Williams, MLB Network analyst whose late mother had breast cancer.
During the nine-week online submission period, fans can share stories of inspiration and hope, how they or loved ones are supporting the fight against breast cancer and why they want to be an honorary Bat Girl for their favorite MLB Club. Testimonials can be submitted by breast cancer survivors, advocates and supporters of the cause.
On Mother’s Day (May 8), hundreds of MLB players are expected to use pink bats by Louisville Slugger, the Official Bat of Major League Baseball, stamped with the MLB breast cancer awareness logo. To further demonstrate their support for the breast cancer cause, players and on-field personnel will wear the symbolic pink ribbon on their uniforms along with pink wristbands. Commemorative dugout lineup cards also will be pink. Game-used Louisville Slugger pink bats from Mother’s Day games will be auctioned exclusively on MLB.com at a later date to raise additional funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
