November 29, 2011

The North Central Missouri College baseball team has announced its first annual Silent Auction which is now open through January 21. Several sports-related items will be offered with the funds raised to be used to defray travel expenses of the Pirates baseball team, including the cost of their participation in The Ripken Experience, a college baseball activity held annually in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Silent Auction bids will be accepted by mail, phone, or email until noon on the last day.

One of the items available is a jersey autographed by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., former member of the Baltimore Orioles team. Head Pirates baseball coach Donnie Hillerman has worked with Mr. Ripken and several others associated with major league baseball teams; therefore, these items have been donated to NCMC for this Silent Auction. There will be a baseball autographed by Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies) and one autographed by Pat Burrell.  Pat “The Bat” was the1998 first overall draft pick and Golden Spikes award winner.  Trenton native Mike Arbuckle, a staff member of the Kansas City Royals baseball club, also will be obtaining items for this auction.  Over a dozen more items will continue to be announced throughout the auction period.

Winners will be announced on January 21 between the NCMC Men’s and Women’s basketball games in the Ketcham Community Center on the NCMC campus in Trenton and at the Pirates Baseball Winter Warm-up Dinner.

For more information on the Silent Auction, please refer to the following locations:

NCMC Baseball Website: http://www.ncmissouri.edu/athletics/baseball/default.aspx

NCMC Baseball Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ncmcbaseball

NCMC Baseball Auction Email: piratecoach@pirates.ncmissouri.edu

Donnie Hillerman, NCMC Pirates Head Baseball Coach, at 660 359-3948 ext. 1412 or c/o North Central Missouri College, 1301 Main Street, Trenton MO 64683.

Attached picture:   the back of the Cal Ripken Jr. jersey which shows his autograph