The “Team behind the Team” in the Coastal Plain League is our host families. As NCAA student-athletes, college players are not allowed to accept any pay for playing in a summer league. As a result, summer collegiate baseball leagues have traditionally relied on local families to host their players. Host families are only obligated to provide a place to stay, typically a spare bedroom. Players are responsible for their own transportation, meals, and laundry, although host families may include their player in family meals and activities if they desire.

This year the Grizzlies have 25 young men moving to Gastonia to join the team from the end of May until Mid August. We are in search of families who are interested in becoming a positive impact on each of these player’s lives. By signing up to become a host family this summer this is what you receive:

• Season Tickets for the family
• Your family is invited to attend special events
• Opportunity to get to know a future Major Leaguer
• Potential for creating a long-term friendship

"We enjoyed our experience of hosting a Grizzlies baseball player this summer. The opportunity to interact with young men who are away from home so as to dedicate themselves to summer baseball was very rewarding. We met many young people and other host families at the baseball games and became friends. It was a great life experience for us." -Randy & Annette Gehle, Belmont, NC

"Our friends and family often ask us if we have lost our minds bringing a college kid into our house for the summer and we answer no!  This is our third year hosting a Gastonia Grizzlies player and all three years have been a wonderful experience.  Most people have some apprehension about bringing a stranger into their home, but soon after they arrive they are no longer a stranger. We have remained close with the first player we had and when the Grizzlies asked him to come back for a second season, he called us to see if he could stay with us. Being a host family is critical to the Grizzlies organization and most importantly to the players.  Most of these guys are coming to a town they do not know and they rely on their “host family” for guidance and support.  They don’t require a lot just a spare bedroom and their own bathroom (they are still college guys).  We usually include them in our family meals on their days off and I try to keep snacks for them.  You rarely get to see them if you work because by the time you get home from work they are at the field.  We hope to continue as a host family for many years to come." -Mark & Crystal Stephens, Gastonia, NC

"Last season we hosted David Chester from the Gastonia Grizzlies.  We have three children under the age of 10 and hoped that this experience would be good for everyone involved.  We were pleasantly surprised at how much fun we all had - including the children.  David was very respectful to us and our children and was a great role model.  He played with them, played catch in the yard, and even took the kids to the movies on one of his rare off days!  The kids enjoyed getting to know David and his teammates.  Our son participated in the Grizzlie's summer camp and had a lot of fun.  They also enjoyed all the activities out at the ballpark such as the dunk tank, the bounce house, and going back and forth for concessions.  The summer of 2009 will be one that I suspect our family will never forget.  Lauren, Jamie, and Jesse are great ambassadors for the Grizzlies and we always looked forward to watching the games and going to the ballpark last year.  We can't wait for next season to start!" -Scott & Wendy Spanbauer, Charlotte, NC

Please fill out this information form to sign up to be a host family now and someone will contact you with more information