Loons Accepting Applications for Host Families

MIDLAND, Mich. - The Great Lakes Loons are once again looking for special fans willing to be host families for the 2018 season. Host families play a vital role in making a player's experience with the Great Lakes Loons one that will be enjoyable, memorable and allow them to perform at their peak while playing in Midland.
"I relate it to kind of being a host family for an exchange student," host family coordinator Kathy Biskupski said. "They want a home environment and a place they can relax. (The players) truly become part of your family. They're younger guys and some are far away from home. They are just really looking for a home."
Housing a baseball player is similar to hosting an exchange student who works second shift. The Loons have a 140-game schedule that runs from April until the beginning of September, with half of the games being played on the road. When players are home, they typically have to be at the field 5-6 hours before game time.
"It's truly a great experience not only for them but for the people hosting players, too," Biskupski said. "It's that feeling of being able to come back to a home in town instead of a hotel room."
Host families are not responsible for transportation and may charge a nominal amount for rent if desired. They are not required to prepare food, but if rent is charged, food is asked to be provided. 
 
"Some families are able to help (with transportation), especially if they live outside the Midland area," Biskupski said. "They're kind of limited. They are teenagers, college students - they don't have a lot of money to spend and they just really want a home."
If you feel that being a host family is for you, or have other questions, please contact our Host Family Coordination Team (Kathy Biskupski, Michelle Servinski and Penny Robinson) at [email protected]. You can receive more detailed information by also calling 989-837-BALL.
The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team's inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team's home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.