NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- It's the next-best thing to managing. Fans may bid for a chance to join new Rockies manager Bud Black as he fills out his lineup card for a game during the 2017 season, one of the items up for bids at Major League Baseball's annual Play Ball Charity Auction to fight cancer.
The two Rockies items available are:
• The opportunity to join Black in his office at Coors Field and for his pregame media session in the dugout. The winning bidder also can bring three guests to watch batting practice from the field and stay for the game with four premium seats.
• A chance to tour Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., the Spring Training home of the Rockies, to meet players and staff, watch batting practice from the field and have lunch in the team dining room before a game on a mutually agreed upon date.
The Rockies are offering the pair of auction items during the MLB Winter Meetings. Bidding at MLB.com/Shannon is LIVE through Thursday at 7 p.m. MT.
This year's program is dedicated to Mets senior director of media relations Shannon Forde, who lost her battle with breast cancer in March at age 44. MLB's annual "Play Ball" auction initiative this year will direct proceeds to dedicating a youth baseball and softball field in Forde's name. All 30 clubs and MLB.com are participating in the auction.