For the fifth consecutive year, Major League Baseball, MLB Advanced Media, MLB Network and all 30 Clubs have organized a charity auction during Baseball's annual Winter Meetings that includes once-in-a-lifetime baseball experiences and unique items to raise awareness for a special cause. This initiative, which has raised more than $685,000 since its inception, was inspired by the numerous employees, friends and fans of the game who have been affected by cancer.
This year's auction will support the renovation of an existing youth baseball and softball field, as well as youth programming, in memory of late New York Mets public relations executive Shannon Forde. The field, which will be renamed "Shannon Forde Field," is in Forde's hometown of Little Ferry, N.J. Renovations to the field will include dugouts with protective fencing and benches, perimeter fencing, bleachers, backstop, and scoreboard and field signs.
The auction is now LIVE at MLB.com/Shannon until Thursday, December 8th at 9:00 p.m. (ET). All proceeds from the auction will fund the renovations through MLB Charities. Following are some of the items supporters can now bid on, with a full list here:
Take batting practice at Progressive Field before official BP for the American League Champion Cleveland Indians
"Shannon was a special member of our baseball and communications families who touched many lives throughout our game," said Pat Courtney, Chief Communications Officer, Major League Baseball. "We all miss her very much, but are pleased to have this opportunity to ensure that her legacy lives on by giving young people, including Shannon's own children, the chance to play and watch the game that she loved at 'Shannon Forde Field.'"
Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon said: "Shannon Forde was part of our Mets family for 22 years. She touched so many people during her time with us. We couldn't be happier that this year's auction will be dedicated to building 'Shannon F