On Sunday, May 13, the Phillies will be joining MLB in going to bat against breast cancer. This year's event will have even more special meaning for the organization, as they will honor one of their own front office members - Pam Hall - for her heroic battle to overcome the disease.
Earlier today, Major League Baseball announced the 2018 Honorary Bat Girls for each MLB Club in support of the annual "Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer" initiative, which is traditionally commemorated each Mother's Day. For the first time since the Honorary Bat Girl program's start in 2009, Clubs had the opportunity to hand-select their respective honorees. The Phillies, without hesitation, selected Hall to represent the team as their Honorary Bat Girl. As such, Hall will have the honor of making the ceremonial first pitch before Sunday's 1:35 p.m. game against the New York Mets, which is also Phillies Herr's Mother's Appreciation Day.
A Phillies employee for over 17 years, Hall resides in Mt. Airy and oversees landscaping and site operations at Citizens Bank Park. Her battle with breast cancer began in 2016, but it is the chemotherapy that was most trying for Hall during that difficult time. Read more about Hall's inspiring story here.
"Coming to work to see my Phillies family provided a much-needed semblance of normalcy to what was otherwise a nightmarish time," said Hall. "I'm grateful to my staff for stepping up to the plate when I couldn't, and for the encouragement I received from the entire Phillies organization."
 "Pam Hall is an inspiration to all who have gone to battle against breast cancer," said David Buck, Phillies Executive Vice President. "She has shown remarkable strength and courage during a very tough time in her life, and we are honored to have Pam represent the Phillies as our Honorary Bat Girl."
In addition to the Honorary Bat Girl, Sunday's game will also feature in-game and on-field elements to support the cause:
Since 2006, players have swung pink bats, worn pink ribbon decals and sported pink wristbands through the "Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer" initiative, which is intended to raise awareness and, through donations and auction proceeds, funds to fight breast cancer. MLB will again donate its licensed uniform royalties through Mother's Day apparel to Susan G. Komen and Stand Up To Cancer.
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. Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer is a Major League Baseball initiative supported by MLB charitable partners, Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen. This initiative raises awareness about the breast cancer cause, while also raising funds to support breast cancer research. For more information, please visit HonoraryBatGirl.com.