Auction begins for No. 715 ball

(wire services) - Only serious bidders are being encouraged to make offers for the ball Barry Bonds hit for home run No. 715, which put him second on the all-time list.

Bidding was opened Monday on eBay. In the first 2 1/2 hours of the auction, only one bid for $10,000 was posted, but experts have said bids might reach $300,000.

Some auction industry watchers say the current news surrounding Bonds, his alleged steroid use and possible indictments for perjury and tax evasion will suppress prices.

"I hope people don't lose sight that this is still a large part of baseball history," said Jed Clevenger, eBay's sports memorabilia manager.