LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Indians manager Terry Francona will be a little busy on April 1. That is when the Tribe will be in Seattle for their season-opening series against the Mariners, meaning the manager will not be able to sit behind the Cavs' bench at Quicken Loans Arena to take in an NBA game back in Cleveland.
Taking's Tito's Cavs tickets is one of three unique experiences up for auction by the Indians as part of the sixth annual charity auction at the Winter Meetings. Major League Baseball, MLB Advanced Media, MLB Network and all 30 clubs have worked together to organize the event, which will support the Katharine Feeney Memorial Scholarship Fund this year in honor of the late pioneering baseball executive whose career spanned 40 years.
The auction will run from 9:30 a.m. ET Monday through 10 p.m. ET on Thursday at MLB.com/wintermeetingsauction, and includes packages available to the highest bidder from every MLB team.
One of the Indians' offerings is giving a winning bidder and one guest the chance to watch NBA superstar LeBron James and the Cavs take on the Dallas Mavericks on April 1 from Francona's personal season-ticket seats. Francona's seats also include access to the Platinum Lounge at The Q.
Also up for auction from the Tribe is an opportunity to take BP on the field, an experience available for the winning bidder and three guests. The winner can take swings from a Major League batting-practice pitcher for 20-30 minutes at Progressive Field before the game. Then, they can watch BP from the field before taking in that night's game via four lower-box tickets. The date must be mutually agreed upon, with Saturdays in the summer months being most optimal, per the Indians.
The third item up for auction by the Indians is the chance to be an executive for a day. This package will give the winner the chance to run the @Indians social-media account for one game (mutually agreed-upon date). The winner can sit in the press box, enjoy a meet-and-greet with the team's broadcasters and sit in on Francona's daily interview session with reporters. Watching batting practice from the field will also be included.
The annual auction has raised more than $900,000 since its inception and has benefited a variety of charities over the past six years. The Katharine Feeney Memorial Scholarship Fund will support an annual scholarship for a female student at the University of San Francisco who most exemplifies Katy Feeney's character. Eligible candidates will be students pursuing a career in sports management who demonstrate a financial need to attain an advanced degree.