On Thursday night as the North Shore Navigators took the field in Lynn against the North Adams Steeple Cats, there was a new face in the home team's dugout.

The teams, which belong to The New England Collegiate Baseball League, are comprised of top collegiate prospects, some of whom have already been drafted by Major League teams. But the Navs' addition for the night has no plans of playing big-league ball, and has not even begun to think about college.

Yet, 9-year-old Marblehead resident Kathryn Percy, honorary bat girl for Thursday's contest, contributed more than her share to the team's efforts, bringing energy and a winning attitude to Fraser Field.

In April 2009, Percy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Sine then, she has taken an active role in raising funds and awareness for the disease, becoming a junior ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

After participating in the 2009 JDRF Walk, the Percy family was looking for a new way to continue their mission.

"Last year, we went after family and friends for donations," said Kristin Percy, Kathryn's mother. "This year, we wanted to take a different approach because we didn't want them running every time they saw us thinking 'oh no, hide the checkbook.'"

After reading about charitable events that the Navigators held during 2009, Kristen Percy approached the team's management staff to inquire about teaming up for the JDRF. Fast forward to less than a year later, and the Percy's vision has come to fruition.

The Navs' front office staff, as well as third baseman and diabetic Anthony Melchionda, partnered with the Percys to provide a handful of fund-raising opportunities for the night. In addition to a portion of ticket sales being donated, the Navs held a 50/50 raffle, donated proceeds from a moon bounce tent outside the stadium, and assisted in a game-night sale of blue rubber wristbands that read "Cure Diabetes."

The highlight of the experience for Kathryn was the on-field activities she enjoyed. On top of holding the role of bat girl Thursday night, she threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Wednesday's game.

"I was nervous being around the team because they are all really good players and I'm just a kid," said Kathryn Percy, "but they are all really nice and they congratulated me on how well I threw my pitch."

Fan reaction during Percy's pitching debut on Wednesday was a precursor to the success of Thursday's event.

"Everyone was cheering and telling me what a good job I had done," said Percy. "It seemed like everyone was excited to help out and to come to the game tonight."

Melchionda, a Boston College student and Navigators infielder, relished the opportunity to help a cause that affects him on a personal level.

"I'm a diabetic so that's why I got into the mix with this event," he said. "[Kathryn] came and took a picture with me during the game and she threw me a strike for the first pitch. It was a lot of fun."

Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, can often lead to a drop in energy in the diagnosed child, such has not been the case with Kathryn Percy.

"She was great, had high energy, and was jumping around the field," said Melchionda. Kathryn's mother has also seen her fully embrace the challenges of living with diabetes, and learn to live life to the fullest.  "It hasn't limited her one bit" said Kristin Percy. "She's always on the go."

Stadium Operations and Community Relations Assistant Ashley Laramie estimated $2,500 was raised on the night for the JDRF.

Kathryn Percy, along with family and friends, will again enter the JDRF walk under the team name "Kitty's Kool Kats." This year the JDRF walk will be held on Oct. 2. To donate to Kathryn's cause, visit walk.jdrf.org and donate in Kathryn Percy's name.