NJSSA Bid Calling Contest

                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Rod Hirsch, Operation Shoebox New Jersey

(908) 698-0333 or opshbxnj@yahoo.com

Joe Bodnar, NJSSA president

(732)  951-2100

Going, going, gone . . .

Auctioneers sell sports memorabilia to
benefit Operation Shoebox New Jersey

BRIDGEWATER – The New Jersey State Society of Auctioneers will hold an auction of sports memorabilia at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday, Aug. 15 to benefit Operation Shoebox New Jersey.

Among the highlights will be a spectacular Somerset Patriots Experience package which includes a Hospitality Suite For 30 People (food and beverages are not included); throwing out the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game; a chance to be on the field and in the dugout as Honorary Bat Boy or Bat Girl and a pre-game “Meet and Greet” with Patriots manager Sparky Lyle and Players.

The NJSSA annual statewide bid-calling contest at the home of the Atlantic League Somerset Patriots will feature works by nationally-renowned sports artist and Flemington resident James Fiorentino.

He has donated several limited edition portraits of sports heroes including the New York Yankees “Core Four” of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte and a portrait of Patriots’ manager and former New York Yankees pitcher and manager Sparky Lyle. Honored as Atlantic League Manager of the Year three times during his tenure as manager of the Patriots, Lyle had an 18-year career in the Major Leagues, winning the Cy Young Award with the New York Yankees in 1977.

The bid calling contest begins at the conclusion of the Patriots 5:05 p.m. game against the Newark Bears.

Standing atop the Patriots’ first base dugout, the auctioneers will be selling a variety of Major League sports memorabilia, including autographed baseballs, lithographs, vintage baseball cards, sports banners and other items.

 The Somerset Patriots have donated several other items including a Sparky Lyle signed baseball, a Josh Pressley signed bat, and a Jeff Nettles signed bat and a set of lithographs by Fiorentino picturing the ballpark during its inaugural 1999 season, signed by the artist.

All items to be sold at the auction will be displayed on the concourse during the game so that potential bidders can have a close look at the merchandise. Absentee bids will be accepted during the game from those who must leave the ballpark prior to the auction.

Several auctioneers will compete for the coveted Auctioneer of the Year trophy, according to Central New Jersey auctioneer Joe Bodnar of Bodnar’s Auctions, winner of last year’s competition and reigning bid calling champion. Bodnar’s Auctions holds monthly sales the second Thursday of each month at the Ukrainian Cultural Center, 135 Davidson Ave., Somerset.

Bodnar will be on the field during the seventh-inning stretch to warm up the crowd and sell some selected Patriots items; everyone in the stands will be eligible to participate, with auction spotters scattered throughout the stands to ensure everyone’s bid.

“We can’t wait to be back at the ballpark,” Bodnar said. “Last year’s event was a great beginning for what we plan to make an annual event, and this year’s auction will be even better than last year,” he added.

All monies raised during the auction of the sports memorabilia will be donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey, according to Bodnar.

“We’re honored, privileged and excited to be a part of this unique event,” said Rod Hirsch, founder and executive director of Operation Shoebox New Jersey. “We’ve assembled some high quality sports memorabilia in hopes that fans will stay after the game for the opportunity to bid - and bid often - on collectibles and opportunities that don’t come along that often.”

Each auctioneer entered in the competition will sell one or two items, according to Bodnar, with each item being sold to the highest bidder.  Each auctioneer will be judged on their personality, the clarity of their call, and how well they “work” the crowd in an effort to get the highest price possible, according to Bodnar.

Judges will include a member of the Patriots’ staff, a randomly selected fan and a member of the NJSSA not competing in the contest.

OPSHBX NJ is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that ships personal care packages to U.S. troops overseas.

All monies raised during the auction of the sports memorabilia will be donated to Operation Shoebox New Jersey, according to Bodnar.

Special Reserved $10 tickets for the Aug. 15th  NJSSA Bid Calling Contest and Sports Memorabilia Auction are available by contacting Bodnar at (732) 951-2100 or any member of the NJSSA. Tickets are also available at the Patriots box office at the ballpark or by calling (908) 252-0700.