Yanks' 2014 Honorary Bat Girl named

ANAHEIM -- Major League Baseball has announced the 31 winners of the 2014 Honorary Bat Girl Contest, recognizing baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and demonstrate a commitment to eradicating the disease.

The Yankees' contest winner is Elizabeth Tague, who will be recognized in a ceremony on May 17 before the Yankees-Pirates game. Tague will take part in pregame activities, be honored during an on-field ceremony, and will receive pink MLB merchandise and two tickets to the game.

A lifetime Yankees fan and native of Roselle Park, N.J., Tague was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in May 2011. After undergoing surgery, 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 rounds of radiation, she returned to work as a sixth-grade teacher in January 2012, just eight months after her initial diagnosis.

The Honorary Bat Girl winners were selected by fan votes on HonoraryBatGirl.com along with feedback from a guest judging panel that included Evan Longoria of the Rays, Freddie Freeman of the Braves, Pablo Sandoval of the Giants, country music superstar and Braves fan Jason Aldean, and Sam Ryan, an MLB Network host and reporter.

The Honorary Bat Girl program 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.