Host Family Info:

          Host families are a crucial element to the success of summer collegiate baseball; the Petersburg Generals and the Coastal Plain League are no different. In order to protect the players’ status as amateur competitors, those coming from programs and homes outside the immediate vicinity must be put up for the summer. Living expenses or a summer stipend are not permitted by the NCAA, who sanctions the CPL, creating the need for host families to act as the players’ support system away from the team.

          Being a host family is typically very rewarding. Positive interaction with a dynamic young adult, temporary in-house role model for minors and valuable service to the Petersburg community are some of the main benefits to be gained from this experience. In fact, it is not uncommon for a player to remain in touch with his summer collegiate baseball host family for years afterward, even when he has lost touch with the team itself. 2002 saw the first two summer collegiate CPL alumni in Major League Baseball (Mike Crudale and Ty Wigginton) in only its 6th season of existence. With over 100 CPL alums currently in Minor League Baseball, and more on the way, how fun would it be to have become close with one or more of these young men during their collegiate years? Additionally, your family is invited to several team functions throughout the summer and gifted 2 season tickets to Generals home games.

          At the same time, being a Petersburg Generals host family contains a certain amount of expectation. It is important to remember that both the organization as well as the players’ parents, with the essential comfort of the player(s), are entrusting you. In the very least, a clean, comfortable (linens, air conditioning, etc.) and private space (for example; bedroom with a door) for the player is required in order to be eligible as a Petersburg Generals host family. It is expected that pleasant interaction will take place between the player and family members, of course. At the same time, these players are young adults and deserve a place in the house where they can go to rest, relax, be alone or have a private phone conversation, etc. Beyond this rudimentary requirement, it is hoped that families would extend welcome courtesies to their player(s) much like a visiting guest, such as some meals (when not with the team), use of TV/VCR, etc. Naturally, each player-family relationship will have its own dynamic but the goal is for a mutually positive experience on both ends with the Petersburg Generals always available for support and/or guidance.

For more information on becoming a Petersburg Generals host family, please contact PBGenerals@aol.com