Rascals offer one-day contract on eBay

WANTED: Charitable someone at least 18 years old itching to take a crack at playing in a professional baseball game, ready to go deep but with deep enough pockets to buy the chance. Glove, shoes and a pen to sign an injury waiver required. Chewing tobacco not included.

Thinking the offer could be fair game as a gift or for anyone looking to rekindle their playing days decades ago, minor-league baseball's River City Rascals of the independent Frontier League are auctioning off a "one-day professional contract" with the team.

The highest bidder on the eBay listing that began April 28 and runs through 8 p.m. Sunday gets to hit and gets a guaranteed half inning in the outfield May 20 when the Rascals host the Gateway Grizzles in their only preseason game at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, a St. Louis suburb.

As of midday Wednesday, the only bid in the auction, which benefits United Way, was $999.

When it comes to targeted bidders, "you've got people who maybe played high school or college ball, and basically those days have kind of passed them by," said Allen Gossett, assistant general manager of the Rascals. "This kind of gives them their moment in the sun, their time to get their shot."

The winner gets 20 tickets to the game, at least one trip to the batter's box and will be furnished with a uniform, with the jersey and hat theirs to keep. The player is on the hook for his or her own glove, shoes, transportation, meals and any housing.

Bidders of either gender are welcome, though neither should expect special treatment from the opposing pitcher.