MiLB clubs partnering with Umps Care

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- More than 50 Minor League Baseball™ clubs have teamed up with Major League Baseball umpires in support of UMPS CARE Charities and its 6th Annual Online Auction, which opened at 8 a.m. EDT on Friday, May 2 at mlb.mlb.com/UmpsCare.

MiLB™ teams representing every classification donated suites, luxury boxes, skyboxes, unique experiences, and other ticket packages to the UMPS CARE Charities Online Auction, which supports the charity's youth programs that provide Major League Baseball experiences for children awaiting adoption, Build-A-Bear Workshop® experiences for hospitalized children coping with serious illnesses, college scholarships for deserving young adults who were adopted as children, and financial assistance for families in need. UMPS CARE Charities is the official charity of Major League Baseball umpires.

"We are extremely grateful to each of the participating MiLB teams for their donations," said Gary Darling, current MLB umpire and President of the Board for UMPS CARE Charities. "We can't do what we do without the support of others, and the generosity and help of the front offices of each of these teams means so much to us."

Many of the MiLB packages are available at a great discount, providing the highest bidder with a great night at the ballpark. The items are perfect for many occasions, including Little League team outings, small business outings, family reunions, or just a group of friends enjoying a baseball game. Whether it's a luxury suite for 18, a suite with all-you-can-eat hot dogs, or ticket vouchers for a group of 24, there are many opportunities to create a memorable evening. A number of teams even donated a first pitch, stadium tours, or the right to shout "Play Ball" to start the game!

In addition to the numerous Minor League Baseball experiences up for bid, there are plenty of signed baseballs, bats and gloves from Major League Baseball stars from yesterday and today, along with a number of one-of-a-kind VIP experiences like taking part in the "Kids Take the Field" pregame ceremony in Houston.

For a complete list of available auction items and to start bidding visit mlb.mlb.com/UmpsCare. The auction opened at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 2 and closes at 10 p.m. EDT on Sunday, May 11.

UMPS CARE Charities would like to thank the following MiLB teams for their donations: Akron RubberDucks, Altoona Curve, Arkansas Travelers, Augusta GreenJackets, Binghamton Mets, Birmingham Barons, Boise Hawks, Bowling Green Hot Rods, Brooklyn Cyclones, Buffalo Bisons, Carolina Mudcats, Charleston RiverDogs, Charlotte Knights, Delmarva Shorebirds, Dunedin Blue Jays, Fort Myers Miracle, Fort Wayne TinCaps, Frederick Keys, Hagerstown Suns, Harrisburg Senators, Hickory Crawdads, Hudson Valley Renegades, Huntsville Stars, Idaho Falls Chukars, Indianapolis Indians, Iowa Cubs, Jupiter Hammerheads, Kannapolis Intimidators, Lakeland Flying Tigers, Lakewood BlueClaws, Lansing Lugnuts, Lowell Spinners, Lynchburg Hillcats, Memphis Redbirds, Midland RockHounds, Modesto Nuts, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Nashville Sounds, New Britain Rock Cats, Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Oklahoma City RedHawks, Omaha Storm Chasers, Palm Beach Cardinals, Reno Aces, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Rochester Red Wings, Sacramento River Cats, Savannah Sand Gnats, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, South Bend Silver Hawks, Spokane Indians, Stockton Ports, Tampa Yankees, Vancouver Canadians, West Michigan Whitecaps, Williamsport Crosscutters and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.

UMPS CARE Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit established by Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires to provide financial, in-kind and emotional support for America's youth and families in need. Through its youth-based programs, professional baseball umpires enrich the lives of at-risk youth and children coping with serious illness by providing memorable baseball experiences, supporting pediatric medical care, and raising awareness for foster care children waiting to be adopted. UMPS CARE Charities provides benefactors with "Major League" support by remaining true to its established creed, "Helping People is an Easy Call." For more information go to www.UmpsCare.com.