Norine V. Rathbone:  

January 17, 2009 marks my ninth year of being a cancer-fighting champion. I am A REAL LIVE PINK BAT. I am the living breathing version of Major League Baseball's wooden pink bat that is used on Mother's Day. Just ask Louisville Slugger. Okay just ask Rick Redman, the VP of Corporate Communications for LS or his major league assistant Mary Frances! On Monday, March 9, 2009 my husband Ed and I went to Lakeland, Florida to the Detroit Tigers spring training facility. Why? BECAUSE THEY INVITED ME TO COME! I wore my Sandvipers baseball uniform and along with 250 young male hopefuls, we all tried out to make the team. I was the oldest baseball player at 51 the rest were from 18-25. Glen Ezell, the Director of Player Development for the Tigers, told me that my age and gender have absolutely nothing to do with my ability to play professional baseball. Dan Lunetta, the Director of Minor League Operations for the Tigers, sent me a personal letter in November 2008 inviting me to tryout for the team. That's why I went. He along with Tigers Major League President Dave Dombrowski thought it would be great for me to attend. They just never expected me to p...Expand for more