Grounds crew gig, mascot visit highlight Nats auction items

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Ever wonder what it would be like to help prepare the field at Nationals Park for a game? Ever wish you could have Teddy or Screech visit your school event or birthday party? Or wonder what it's like to cover the Nationals from the press box high atop the ballpark on South Capitol Street?

If so, have I got a deal for you.

Those are among the items available this year in Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings Charity Auction, which is now ongoing through Thursday at 10 p.m., Eastern time. This year, the auction will benefit the Katharine Feeney Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of the late pioneering baseball executive whose career spanned 40 years.

The fund will support an annual scholarship that will be awarded to a female student at the University of San Francisco who most exemplifies Feeney's character. Eligible candidates for the scholarship will be students who are pursuing a career in sports management and who also demonstrate a financial need to attain an advanced degree.

Feeney was hired by the National League in 1977 and eventually became MLB's senior vice president for club relations and scheduling. She is widely regarded as a pioneer in the business and was a beloved member of the baseball family.

Feeney, 68, passed away in April while visiting relatives in Maine. She had retired from MLB just four months earlier.

There are a variety of items up for bid, but Nationals fans will be zeroing in on three of them.

* Grounds crew experience: Become an honorary member of the Nationals' grounds crew. Tag along with director of field operations John Turnour and his staff as they as they prepare the field during the hour leading up to the game. The package includes four game tickets and four batting practice passes for the winner and three friends.

* Screech and Teddy appearance: Want Screech and Teddy to crash your birthday party, summer BBQ or school event? Bid on the chance to have them join you for a one-hour appearance in 2018. Appearance is subject to availability and must be on a mutually agreed upon date/time. Appearance cannot occur on a day of a Nationals home game.

* Media member for a day: Enjoy a Nationals game through the eyes of a member of the media. One lucky winner will receive access to Dave Martinez's pregame press conference, access to the field during batting practice, a seat in the press box during the game and access to Martinez's postgame press conference. The Nationals communications department will provide a tour of the press box and broadcast booths, as well as meet-and-greet opportunities with broadcasters and members of the local media. The winning bidder must abide by a long-standing rule: No cheering in the press box.

BIdding is now open. Click here to place your bids - and good luck!