UMPS CARE Auction offers unique opportunities to support charitable causes

For the 18th year, Major League Baseball Umpires are hosting the UMPS CARE Charities Online Auction, featuring more than 400 items including autographed memorabilia, rare MLB logo caps and one-of-a-kind experiences.

The auction, hosted on MLB.com, opened Friday and closes Monday, April 27, at 10 p.m. ET. The auction can be found at www.mlb.com/UmpsCare.

Among this year’s items, bidders can win tickets to MLB’s All-Star Game and Home Run Derby in Philadelphia, a tour of the MLB Replay Center in New York City, a Cooperstown double play package with a special tour of the National Baseball Hall of Fame paired with a round of golf, and an autographed baseball from Shohei Ohtani.

Opportunities to be on the field for batting practice at several MLB parks, items signed by MLB Umpires and even lunch with an MLB Umpire are also available during the auction.

“For 20 years, the Major League Baseball Umpires have been using their role in sports as a vehicle for giving back to the communities in which they work,” said UMPS CARE Charities President D.J. Reyburn, an active Major League Baseball Umpire. “This auction has been critical for the charity to operate programs that bring such joy to children and really make an impact on and off the field. The MLB Umpires are proud to call UMPS CARE as our charity, and we are looking forward to giving back for decades to come.”

Net proceeds from the auction will support UMPS CARE Charities programs, including the hospital program, free umpire/leadership training courses, the ticket program and college scholarships. More information can be found here.

For the fourth consecutive year, the UMPS CARE auction also includes a special section featuring collectibles, tickets and bobbleheads from other sports -- the NFL, NBA, MLS and more. Net proceeds from this section of the auction will support Sports Officials Care.