Ahem

More fame and fortune for Miss Tasha. Well, fame. Well......something. Whatever, I'll take it! Whee!

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Honorary bat girls a Mother's Day tradition

One for each team selected by celebrity panel and fan voting

By Mark Newman / MLB.com | 05/06/11 1:56 PM ET

It's time for one of the most popular and meaningful moments on the Major League Baseball calendar. From the bright pink Louisville Sluggers to the Honorary Bat Girls, the collective pursuit to end breast cancer is a Mother's Day tradition at the ballpark.

In advance of Sunday's big day for moms, MLB and Susan G. Komen for the Cure on Friday announced the 2011 Honorary Bat Girl Contest winners, who will be recognized on the field at MLB ballparks during Mother's Day and breast cancer awareness celebrations.

One winner for each of the 30 clubs was selected by a celebrity panel of judges and more than a half-million fan votes on HonoraryBatGirl.com. That campaign recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and have demonstrated a commitment to fighting the disease.

2011 Honorary Bat Girl Contest winners

Club	Winner	Hometown
D-backs	Connie Marino	Peoria, Ariz.
Braves	Donna Brantley	McDonough, Ga.
Orioles*	Brigid Morahan	Annapolis, Md.
Red Sox*	Amy Seich	Canton, Mass.
Cubs*	Katie Iannitelli	Chicago
White Sox	Tasha Huebner	Chicago
Reds	Cheryl Veigel	Canton, Ohio
Indians	Beth Ann Vanek	Munroe Falls, Ohio
Rockies	Alma Hubersberger	Lone Tree, Colo.
Tigers	Amy Maurice	Oak Park, Mich.
Marlins*	Alison Pages	Miami
Astros	Linda Anderson	Pearland, Texas
Royals*	Susan Krigel	Chicago
Angels*	Melanie Hansen	Orange, Calif.
Dodgers	Alicia Manzur	Upland, Calif.
Brewers	Joan Kamholz	Albany, Wis.
Twins	Carrie Johnson	Stillwater, Minn.
Mets*	Linda LaCugna	Manalapan, N.J.
Yankees	Dayna Varano	Wayne, N.J.
Athletics	Deborah Mata	Orinda, Calif.
Phillies*	Linda Camerota	Brigantine, N.J.
Pirates*	Catherine Brennan	Verona, Pa.
Padres*	Anitra Rooney	La Mesa, Calif.
Giants*	Jennifer Solorio	Sacramento, Calif.
Mariners*	Kathleen Willett	Snohomish, Wash.
Cardinals*	Alissa Nicks	Maryland Heights, Mo.
Rays	Shari Elliott	Bradenton, Fla.
Rangers*	Leslie Sewell	Benton, La.
Blue Jays*	Joanne Lubansky-Johns	London, Ontario
Nationals	Cathy Colleli	Olney, Md.

* Will play home game on Mother's Day

"Major League Baseball's partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, through the Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer program, represents one of our most significant causes," Commissioner Bud Selig said. "The commitment from clubs, players, and fans alike in the fight against breast cancer is truly special, and we are proud to highlight our efforts and increase awareness through our Mother's Day celebration.

During MLB's annual Mother's Day national day of recognition, each Honorary Bat Girl will take part in pregame activities, be honored during an on-field ceremony and receive pink MLB merchandise and two tickets to the game. For clubs that are away on Mother's Day, another home game in May will be selected to recognize its Honorary Bat Girl.


Commemorative dugout lineup cards also will be pink. Those pink bats used in games and signed by teams are authenticated by MLB and then presented exclusively at the MLB.com Auction site at a later date to raise additional funds for Komen.

"It's a huge thing," Giants president Larry Baer said of the annual Mother's Day event. "What's wonderful is baseball now has sort of an image and an expectation that on Mother's Day, breast cancer awareness and fundraising is going to come to the fore, and prostate cancer on Father's Day.


.

"It's critical because we're a cultural institution and Mother's Day is a big cultural event in our society, and baseball being purely a very American cultural experience -- going to a baseball game on Mother's Day and Father's Day -- we want to make sure we look out for that community interest. The pink bats, our players have used them, they make statements with the pink ribbons, and our fans really respond."

The Honorary Bat Girl Contest was introduced in 2009 to raise additional awareness and support for the annual Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer initiative celebrated on Mother's Day. In three years, nearly 4,000 testimonials have been submitted and more than six million fan votes have been cast. Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer is a joint partnership between MLB, its licensed partners and Susan G. Komen for the Cure to raise awareness about the breast cancer cause, while also raising funds to support breast cancer research.

The 30 Honorary Bat Girls were among more than 1,500 entrants that were selected by fan votes and a panel of celebrity judges that included Mrs. Billye Aaron, breast cancer survivor, Komen Global Ambassador for breast cancer and wife of Hall of Famer Hank Aaron; Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, breast cancer survivor and founder and CEO of Komen; Gabrielle Union, actress, and supporter of the cause; Red Sox pitcher and lymphoma survivor Jon Lester; Angels ace Jered Weaver, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor; Twins All-Star Jim Thome, whose mother passed away from lung cancer; Yankees broadcaster and breast cancer survivor Suzyn Waldman; and MLB Network analyst and former pitcher Mitch Williams, whose late mother had breast cancer.

"I have been involved for three years now as a judge, and I can honestly say that every person who sends in their story warrants the opportunity to be an honorary bat girl," Williams said. "My mother battled the disease successfully, before losing her battle with brain cancer, so I am extremely proud to be a part of MLB and their involvement with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise awareness and money to help fight this terrible disease."

"MLB's Honorary Bat Girl program is wonderful because it highlights the personal stories of those affected by breast cancer," said Katrina McGhee, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. "The program showcases the everyday heroes who have faced breast cancer bravely and underscores why Komen's work to end breast cancer forever is so important."