It looks like my son may be playing in the Florida league next summer. He was very fortunate last summer to play near home before he started college. So this will be his first summer where he needs some kind of housing. For those of you who's boys have done this, how does it work? He is living in an apartment now, so its not so much his 'being on his own", as not knowing what to expect.
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Son has done it the last 2 years and is looking forward to it again this summer. He has been to Canada, Kansas, and will be in North Carolina next summer.
The team will set it up for you. I've heard great things, and I've heard horror stories.
Great things usually come from great organizations, and the bad things usually come from those orgs that struggle. Not to hard to figure it out, but it makes summer more fun with a good host family.
Year 1 he had a couple of teammates with him and had a wonderful lady who cooked for them every evening and let them ride 4 wheelers, hunt, etc on their farm. Last year he had a wonderful family and while they didn't cook much for him they gave him food gift cards galore, and he became close with their 3 year old twins.
At both places he had rules (curfew, expectations, etc) that were set by the organization. Both coaches stressed that you were representing yourself, your parents, your school, your college coach, the summer team, and the summer coach----so don't mess it up.
He is still in contact with both families.
Thanks Russ
Sounds like some great memories. I know my son has been in contact with the summer coach, so I am hoping to find out a bit more over the break.
Son had two teammates that were in NY somewhere....saw some video. The host family had a trout stream (yep, like the ones I've only seen in movies) running right behind their house....and by "right behind their house" I mean you could fish off of the deck....and if you wanted to you could step off the deck right into the water. It was the most amazing looking place I've ever seen. Tried to convince my son to play there this year and try to get that family just so I could visit 
Buckeye 2015 posted:Son had two teammates that were in NY somewhere....saw some video. The host family had a trout stream (yep, like the ones I've only seen in movies) running right behind their house....and by "right behind their house" I mean you could fish off of the deck....and if you wanted to you could step off the deck right into the water. It was the most amazing looking place I've ever seen. Tried to convince my son to play there this year and try to get that family just so I could visit
Over thanksgiving I tried my tail off to get my son to ask his coach for Alaska league ! Would love to spend a couple weeks in Alaska watching baseball and fishing for salmon!
he wasn't convinced. oh well.
pabaseballdad posted:Buckeye 2015 posted:Son had two teammates that were in NY somewhere....saw some video. The host family had a trout stream (yep, like the ones I've only seen in movies) running right behind their house....and by "right behind their house" I mean you could fish off of the deck....and if you wanted to you could step off the deck right into the water. It was the most amazing looking place I've ever seen. Tried to convince my son to play there this year and try to get that family just so I could visit
Over thanksgiving I tried my tail off to get my son to ask his coach for Alaska league ! Would love to spend a couple weeks in Alaska watching baseball and fishing for salmon!
he wasn't convinced. oh well.
Lol....Alaska...are you kidding me, that would be great. Unfortunately for me, son is playing 20 minutes from home for the 3rd straight summer. I'll get to see a lot of games, but 20 minutes away isn't much of a vacation
Son spent last summer in PAC NW. talk about a great place to spend the summer when you are from TX. During my visit I was actually cold a few nights. Great break from the heat.
He was solo at his host family’s home. He talks to them almost every week. He is hoping for a Cape opportunity but if not he will go back to the same team he enjoyed it so much.
Son was in the Cape last summer and played for Hyannis. The host family and room mate was set up already via the Cape family "coordinator". I think we were on the hook for $800 if he stayed all summer. If not, you get a refund. Some families paid up front and others paid as they got there. Turns out he was there a weeks and a half and got called up for Team USA CNT. He drove from Atlanta to Hyannis and had to leave his car in the Cape in case he didn't make USA. They said it was okay to do that. As he made all the USA cuts, they were super awesome and even held onto his car until he finished up with USA. The dad actually drove it around the block a few times over that period so the battery wouldn't die.
Shoveit4Ks posted:Son was in the Cape last summer and played for Hyannis. The host family and room mate was set up already via the Cape family "coordinator". I think we were on the hook for $800 if he stayed all summer. If not, you get a refund. Some families paid up front and others paid as they got there. Turns out he was there a weeks and a half and got called up for Team USA CNT. He drove from Atlanta to Hyannis and had to leave his car in the Cape in case he didn't make USA. They said it was okay to do that. As he made all the USA cuts, they were super awesome and even held onto his car until he finished up with USA. The dad actually drove it around the block a few times over that period so the battery wouldn't die.
Really cool, Shove... question though... I thought the top tier summer leagues were cheaper than that for the players?
I checked the Cape contract and it was $800. Not sure about other leagues etc.
Shoveit4Ks posted:I checked the Cape contract and it was $800. Not sure about other leagues etc.
Son played in the Northwoods League (La Crosse Loggers) two summers ago. The team sets you up with a host family (free) and I think we paid ~$275 basically for the uniform. A LHP from his school was his roommate. The NWL is "for profit", which means means that attendees pay to watch (parents got in free if son puts you on the list), which is unlike the Cape where the games are free. The stadium and concessions were great and La Crosse just did a huge update to their facilities (Univ Wisconsin La Crosse plays on the field, which is a rather new arrangement). HUGE attendance (like 3500+ per game). Son didn't get many meals from his host family (I think they were a one-and-done host family), but he could eat all he wanted for free at the local Dairy Queen. The players would go there between hitting rotations for smoothies 
. We gave him money for food and he did cook some, mostly breakfasts. Dinner was provided to the team from local restaurants, including the away games.
Games are on TV by subscription, which was fun to watch every night. We did visit and saw 7 games in 3 different cities.
Many have said the NWL is most like the minor leagues. Son loved every minute of it and made great friends.
Here is a great host family horror story for you. My son was in the West Coast League to start the summer this year. He and 3 other player ended up with a host family that was VEGAN! Although they lived in a guest house, the would not let the players have any meat or dairy products in the house. These are 4 college athletes, of which 3 were over 6'2" 200 lbs. Needless to say, it was costing me a fortune for him to go out to eat 3 times a day when they were home. They also would not allow the boys to kill and bugs, insects etc. They had a crazy list of 30 "house rules" that I would not impose on a prisoner let alone a college kid. Team could not relocate the players, so 1/2 way through the year he left.
He ended up in Alaska which he absolutely loved. His house family experience was great, they fed them well and being in Alaska the boys would literally walk outside, catch a Salmon and the family would cook it up. They took them on sight seeing tours on their off days and had a car for them to use.
Suds posted:Here is a great host family horror story for you. My son was in the West Coast League to start the summer this year. He and 3 other player ended up with a host family that was VEGAN! Although they lived in a guest house, the would not let the players have any meat or dairy products in the house. These are 4 college athletes, of which 3 were over 6'2" 200 lbs. Needless to say, it was costing me a fortune for him to go out to eat 3 times a day when they were home. They also would not allow the boys to kill and bugs, insects etc. They had a crazy list of 30 "house rules" that I would not impose on a prisoner let alone a college kid. Team could not relocate the players, so 1/2 way through the year he left.
He ended up in Alaska which he absolutely loved. His house family experience was great, they fed them well and being in Alaska the boys would literally walk outside, catch a Salmon and the family would cook it up. They took them on sight seeing tours on their off days and had a car for them to use.
In a case like this, could the boys have moved out and stayed with the team? I realize this might not be financially feasible. But if the four players had found an affordable place on their own and moved out. What would the league/coach think? (I have no clue.)
Dadofa17 posted:Suds posted:Here is a great host family horror story for you. My son was in the West Coast League to start the summer this year. He and 3 other player ended up with a host family that was VEGAN! Although they lived in a guest house, the would not let the players have any meat or dairy products in the house. These are 4 college athletes, of which 3 were over 6'2" 200 lbs. Needless to say, it was costing me a fortune for him to go out to eat 3 times a day when they were home. They also would not allow the boys to kill and bugs, insects etc. They had a crazy list of 30 "house rules" that I would not impose on a prisoner let alone a college kid. Team could not relocate the players, so 1/2 way through the year he left.
He ended up in Alaska which he absolutely loved. His house family experience was great, they fed them well and being in Alaska the boys would literally walk outside, catch a Salmon and the family would cook it up. They took them on sight seeing tours on their off days and had a car for them to use.
In a case like this, could the boys have moved out and stayed with the team? I realize this might not be financially feasible. But if the four players had found an affordable place on their own and moved out. What would the league/coach think? (I have no clue.)
They shouldn't have to pay for housing on their own though. That's actually one of the "selling" points the league uses to get players that have options to go to other leagues like Alaska and Northwoods. In the end, 2 just quit playing summer ball and went home and 2, including my son went to another league.
Son's team (Great Lakes League) $300 I think.....host families are provided at no charge. Most have been with the team for years....and are all very good. Almost all are at EVERY game. 1500-2000 attendance most games. There is an admission charge, but parents are free. Team buys meals after games, home and away. Son lived at home so I'm not sure what else team provides on off days (though there are very few). He'll be in his 3rd year with the team next summer...and has really enjoyed it. Good mix of kids from D1's all over the country. He's met some great guys over the past couple years. If you gave him a choice...college or summer ball, I'm fairly certain I know what the choice would be lol.
Suds posted:Here is a great host family horror story for you. My son was in the West Coast League to start the summer this year. He and 3 other player ended up with a host family that was VEGAN! Although they lived in a guest house, the would not let the players have any meat or dairy products in the house. These are 4 college athletes, of which 3 were over 6'2" 200 lbs. Needless to say, it was costing me a fortune for him to go out to eat 3 times a day when they were home. They also would not allow the boys to kill and bugs, insects etc. They had a crazy list of 30 "house rules" that I would not impose on a prisoner let alone a college kid. Team could not relocate the players, so 1/2 way through the year he left.
He ended up in Alaska which he absolutely loved. His house family experience was great, they fed them well and being in Alaska the boys would literally walk outside, catch a Salmon and the family would cook it up. They took them on sight seeing tours on their off days and had a car for them to use.
Suds, that was hilarious until it got to the point where it was bad enough they left. Would be curious to hear more about some of the other crazy house rules.
cabbagedad posted:Suds posted:Here is a great host family horror story for you. My son was in the West Coast League to start the summer this year. He and 3 other player ended up with a host family that was VEGAN! Although they lived in a guest house, the would not let the players have any meat or dairy products in the house. These are 4 college athletes, of which 3 were over 6'2" 200 lbs. Needless to say, it was costing me a fortune for him to go out to eat 3 times a day when they were home. They also would not allow the boys to kill and bugs, insects etc. They had a crazy list of 30 "house rules" that I would not impose on a prisoner let alone a college kid. Team could not relocate the players, so 1/2 way through the year he left.
He ended up in Alaska which he absolutely loved. His house family experience was great, they fed them well and being in Alaska the boys would literally walk outside, catch a Salmon and the family would cook it up. They took them on sight seeing tours on their off days and had a car for them to use.
Suds, that was hilarious until it got to the point where it was bad enough they left. Would be curious to hear more about some of the other crazy house rules.
Here you go. First is the rules, the next 2 are things posted all throughout the house. These are just 2 examples. The family later installed cameras in the kitchen to make sure no meat was being cooked. It really is quite funny. For my son, it worked out well. Went to Alaska, pitched on the team that won it all and got to play a significant role down the stretch
Well, yes he did...and I think if your son is the player I'm thinking of, I feel you should share the story from the championship series...
washrinserepeat posted:Well, yes he did...and I think if your son is the player I'm thinking of, I feel you should share the story from the championship series...
LOL I am sitting here in my office laughing and people are looking at me like I am nuts. Yes that is my son. I will post the story in a little bit. It really happened that way too!
Suds posted:cabbagedad posted:Suds posted:Here is a great host family horror story for you. My son was in the West Coast League to start the summer this year. He and 3 other player ended up with a host family that was VEGAN! Although they lived in a guest house, the would not let the players have any meat or dairy products in the house. These are 4 college athletes, of which 3 were over 6'2" 200 lbs. Needless to say, it was costing me a fortune for him to go out to eat 3 times a day when they were home. They also would not allow the boys to kill and bugs, insects etc. They had a crazy list of 30 "house rules" that I would not impose on a prisoner let alone a college kid. Team could not relocate the players, so 1/2 way through the year he left.
He ended up in Alaska which he absolutely loved. His house family experience was great, they fed them well and being in Alaska the boys would literally walk outside, catch a Salmon and the family would cook it up. They took them on sight seeing tours on their off days and had a car for them to use.
Suds, that was hilarious until it got to the point where it was bad enough they left. Would be curious to hear more about some of the other crazy house rules.
Here you go. First is the rules, the next 2 are things posted all throughout the house. These are just 2 examples. The family later installed cameras in the kitchen to make sure no meat was being cooked. It really is quite funny. For my son, it worked out well. Went to Alaska, pitched on the team that won it all and got to play a significant role down the stretch
Sooooo, let the cats outside?
