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SOFTBALL THIRD BASEMAN, 13-YEAR-OLD SYDNEY BECKER OF LIVINGSTON, NJ, IS IN THE RUNNING to be recognized as the "Story of the Year", a contest sponsored by a national sports media company.

One of the top hitters on her travel softball team, Sydney Becker was suddenly diagnosed last year with Osteosarcoma, the eighth most common form of childhood cancer. She has undergone chemotherapy and a a brutal eight-hour surgery, which left a titanium rod in her lower leg and an artificial joint in her knee.

Her Dad promised that if she could get through the surgery, chemo, and physical therapy, he would get her one at-bat before the end of the season. In the final game last fall, she found herself the lead-off hitter, stepping to the plate with a cumbersome brace on her leg – and promptly drilled the second pitch into right center field for a clean single.

“She couldn't run, and could barely walk, but she made it to first base, while everyone applauded, and wiped their eyes,” her Dad said. The opposing team stopped the game to give her high fives.

Today Sydney is months removed from chemo and her post-treatment full body scans have been all clear. She has started workouts in softball batting cages.

You can vote for Sydney to win "Story of the Year" at http://theyouthees.com/candidate/784073746 

Sydney has a blog at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sydneybecker/journal

Sydney with friends and Derek Jeter at Yankee Stadium

All of the America's Youth Sports Awards are at http://theyouthees.com