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Padres offer 3 prizes in SU2C auction

Fourth annual charity event online during Winter Meetings

Bill Center, longtime sportswriter for U-T San Diego, is an employee of the Padres.

Want to be an honorary Padres groundskeeper for a day? Interested in a Spring Training scouting lesson? Or what about enjoying the Ultimate Padres Entertainment Fan Experience?

Each of those opportunities are available to Padres fans the next two-plus days during Major League Baseball's fourth annual Winter Meetings charity auction benefiting Stand Up 2 Cancer.

Bid now

All 30 teams are involved in the auction that is conducted during the Winter Meetings. The auction ends Thursday at 6 p.m. PT. 

The winning bid for being an honorary groundskeeper will go behind the scenes with Petco Park head groundskeeper Matt Balough, work with the crew before the game and change a base during the game. The package includes four VIP Field Level tickets and the opportunity to watch the Padres take batting practice (on a mutually agreed upon date).

The winning bidder of the Spring Training scouting lesson and a guest will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of the Padres' spring complex in Peoria, Ariz., with a chance to meet a Padres player, coach or front office executive. During that day's game, the top bidder will sit with legendary scout -- and Padres vice president of scouting operations -- Don Welke for three innings for a scouting lesson. The package includes two tickets to a game on a mutually approved date. Travel to Arizona is not included in the package.

The winning bidder and three guests of the Ultimate Padres Entertainment Fan Experience package will enjoy a special day at Petco Park during a mutually agreed upon date between May 2 and June 29, 2016. The package includes four VIP Field Level tickets, the opportunity to watch batting practice from the field before the gates open to the public, and a chance to meet a Padres player or coach. The winning bidder's party will also go behind the scenes for a private tour of the Petco Park Entertainment Control Room, and FOX Sports San Diego broadcast booth and operations truck.

This initiative, which has raised nearly $500,000 since its inception, was inspired by the numerous employees, friends and fans of the game who have been affected by cancer.

A significant portion of the proceeds from this year's auction will go to three entities: Stand Up To Cancer, a longtime partner of Major League Baseball, Do It For Durrett, in honor of the late Texas Rangers ESPN.com beat writer Richard Durrett, who passed away suddenly last year, and the YouCaring page established for Miami Marlins Sun Sentinel beat writer Juan C. Rodriguez, who is currently battling a brain tumor.

Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Keep track of @FollowThePadres on Twitter and listen to his podcast.
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