Major League Baseball has announced the 2019 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. 

Clubs had the opportunity to hand-select their respective honorees, each of whom demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to the battle against breast cancer. 

The Honorary Bat Girl for the Cincinnati Reds is Laura Fay from Cincinnati. Laura will be recognized and honored during pregame ceremonies on Thursday, May 16 before the Reds vs. Chicago Cubs game, 6:40 p.m.

“The Reds are honored to have Laura Fay represent our Club on behalf of all the communities throughout Reds Country,” said Phil Castellini, Reds President & COO. “Laura and John’s story mirrors thousands of other families who are courageously pushing through difficult disease and we join MLB in doing what we can to help.”  

Laura’s story

Laura Fay has battled her cancer the past several of years with amazing courage. She is a positive role model for so many including others with cancer. She takes it in stride and lives each day to the fullest. She has been a big part of local fundraisers and along with her husband John, who was a candidate for the American Cancer Society’s ‘Real Men Wear Pink’ campaign, they have collectively raised more than $37,000 in three years to fight breast cancer. Laura’s positivity has been an inspiration for all.

For the first time since the Honorary Bat Girl program’s inception in 2009, MLB has partnered with CrowdRise to host a fundraising contest for each of the Honorary Bat Girls to raise money to benefit Stand up to Cancer (SU2C) and Susan G. Komen. The winner of the contest will receive a trip to the 2019 World Series. MLB will donate all funds from the contest to SU2C and Komen.

As has been tradition since 2006, players will continue to swing pink bats and sport 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. In recognition of this effort on Mother’s Day, players also will wear specially designed New Era caps highlighted by a pink crown and team color brim, while Club uniforms will feature the MLB breast cancer awareness logo, adorned with the symbolic pink ribbon, on the left chest. A matching pair of pink socks made by Stance is optional for every player. MLB players will continue to have the opportunity to use pink bats during Mother’s Day games. Louisville Slugger, the Official Bat of Major League Baseball, will donate proceeds from the sale of their pink bats, which will also be stamped with the MLB breast cancer awareness logo, to Komen and SU2C. In addition to the pink bats on Mother’s Day, the following game equipment can be used for breast cancer awareness: compression sleeves, batting gloves, footwear, wrist/elbow/leg guards, and catcher’s equipment. The pink ribbon will also appear on the bases at each ballpark and the official dugout lineup cards. MLB will donate 100% of its royalties from sales of licensed apparel with the MLB pink ribbon logo to Stand Up To Cancer and Susan G. Komen.

About Honorary Bat Girl Program & “Going To Bat Against Breast 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.