Phillies Fan Named Honorary Bat Girl For Going To Bat Against Breast Cancer
By Justin Finch
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Phillies will have an extra superstar taking the field this weekend.
A local fan was named an honorary bat girl for her inspiring fight against breast cancer.
Long before Linda Duaime got a chance to walk the field, her phone rang.
"My daughter nominated me and called me and told me," she recalled while touring Citizens Bank Park.
"I was just on the Phillies website looking at tickets before the season started, and came across the advertisement for the 'MLB Honorary Bat Girl,' her daughter, Jackie Duaime, added.
Every year, Major League Baseball welcomes nominees for its Honorary Bat Girl at all 30 of its clubs.
The eight-season tradition celebrates women battling against breast cancer.
Duaime's loved ones helped launch her right into the Phillies' digs.
"They all did what they've done all along, voted."
Those votes put her over the top. A high that came after a low.
Two years ago this summer, Linda got the news that stage-three breast cancer was invading her body.
"I was diagnosed in August 2014."
"I had eight rounds of chemo and 28 rounds of radiation," Duaime said. "And then, I had a double mastectomy in January of '15, and then I had a couple of rough bouts."
All the way, Duaime says John, her husband of more than 30 years, was by her side.
"I felt my job was stand behind her and make sure she had the support she needed," he said.
Before her Sunday bat girl debut, Linda's family had Citizens Bank Park all to themselves.
In the meantime, Phillies staff are prepping for Duaime's large cheering section.
"She came back and said I need 100 tickets," said Phillies Community Initiatives Director Mary Ann Moyer.
"I said, Linda, I don't even know that many people!"
