MLB Umpires Launch 18th Annual Charity Auction

For nearly two decades, the people who call the strikes have been making strikes against childhood hardship.

Major League Baseball umpires kicked off their 18th annual UMPS CARE Charities online auction on Friday, featuring over 400 items that blend sports dreams with real community impact. The auction runs through April 27 at 10 p.m. ET on MLB.com/UmpsCare.

Fans can bid on once-in-a-lifetime experiences like All-Star Game tickets in Philadelphia, a behind-the-scenes tour of MLB's Replay Center in New York City, and field access for batting practice at multiple ballparks. A Cooperstown package pairs a special Hall of Fame tour with a round of golf, while autographed memorabilia includes a signed baseball from Shohei Ohtani.

The most personal touch? Bidders can actually share lunch with a Major League umpire or snag items signed by the officials themselves.

"For 20 years, the Major League Baseball Umpires have been using their role in sports as a vehicle for giving back to the communities in which they work," said D.J. Reyburn, UMPS CARE Charities President and active MLB umpire. The charity operates programs that bring joy to children both on and off the field.

The Ripple Effect

Every dollar raised supports tangible programs that reach kids where they are. UMPS CARE runs hospital visits that brighten the days of young patients facing tough diagnoses. The charity provides free umpire and leadership training courses that teach kids confidence and decision-making skills that extend far beyond the diamond.

Their ticket program gets children to MLB games who might never otherwise sit in the stands, while college scholarships open doors to education for deserving students. These aren't just one-time handouts but investments in young people's futures.

For the fourth straight year, the auction includes a special section with collectibles from the NFL, NBA, MLS, and other sports leagues. Proceeds from this portion support Sports Officials Care, extending the impact beyond baseball.

The umpires have turned their unique position in America's pastime into a platform for lasting change, proving that those who enforce the rules can also champion hope.