OAKLAND -- Longtime A's supporter Lori Baca has been selected as Oakland's Honorary Bat Girl through a program that annually recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and who have demonstrated a commitment to help support the fight against the disease.
Baca was one of 30 women chosen to serve as bat girls for a day, with half of them taking the field on Sunday for Mother's Day. Because the A's are on the road for the event, they plan to honor Baca after they return home.
Baca was diagnosed with breast cancer on June 11 and underwent surgery to remove the cancer a month later, as her husband, Jim, wrote to the program's panel of judges. She then undertook chemotherapy for several months before completing 30 rounds of radiation.
"Although feeling awful," her husband said, "she always found the strength to take our youngest son to go see the A's play. She tried to keep his life as normal as possible. They have been season-ticket holders for five years now. Lori has shown courage to family and friends throughout this awful ordeal and has even volunteered to be an outreach counselor for women. Lori loves the A's and has been a dedicated and supportive fan for several years."