San Jose Giants seek host families

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Every year approximately 25 young men in the San Francisco Giants Minor League system move to San Jose for the spring and summer to play for the SJ Giants. From April through September, these aspiring ballplayers will continue to hone their baseball skills, playing 140 regular season games.

Throughout our 26 seasons, the Host Family Program has been a vital part of the team's success both on and off the field. Having the players become a part of a local family helps these young men stay grounded in an unfamiliar new city. Many of the players turn out to be more than just a guest, they actually become part of the family.

"Being a host family has truly been a rewarding experience for our entire family," said Julie McDonald, San Jose Giants Host Mom. "The players that have lived with us have been inspirational role models for our teenage children, with their endless hard work ethic and determination. It has been wonderful to be a small part of their lives as they work towards their dream of playing Major League Baseball. It is amazing how easily they have all become part of our family, building life-long friendships. Each year we look forward to bringing a new player into our home, while continuing to stay in contact with our past players as they move up in the farm system."

Host families become an integral part of the fan base at San Jose Municipal Stadium. There are great activities for the families including picnics, invitations to special events, and a family season pass to all San Jose Giants home games. At the last Sunday home game of the season, host families are invited to be the Baseball Buddies for the day and get a chance to go on the field with the players during the national anthem. One of the best parts of being a host family is watching your player advance through the organization and go on to play in San Francisco!

Eighteen players from the 2012 World Champion San Francisco Giants lived with host families while playing in San Jose, including National League MVP Buster Posey and two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. Brandon Belt, Madison Bumgarner, Emmanuel Burriss, Matt Cain, Brandon Crawford, Steve Edlefsen, Conor Gillaspie, Clay Hensley, Dan Otero, Francisco Peguero, Brett Pill, Sergio Romo, Dan Runzler, Hector Sanchez, Pablo Sandoval and Ryan Vogelsong also had host families during their tenures with the San Jose Giants.

If you are interested in being a host family, or to receive more information, please contact Linda Pereira at (408) 380-4519, or fill out our form at sjgiants.com online.

The San Jose Giants begin their 2013 season on Thu, April 4 at Visalia, with the home opener scheduled for Thu, April 11, also against the Rawhide. The Giants will also feature home games on Mother's Day (May 12), Memorial Day (May 27), Independence Day (July 4) and Labor Day (Sept. 2). On June 18, for the first time ever, Municipal Stadium will host the 2013 California-Carolina League All-Star Game. Season tickets are available for purchase online at sjgiants.com, over the phone at (408) 297-1435 and in person at the Municipal Stadium Box Office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

About the San Jose Giants
The San Jose Giants are a professional baseball team in the Class A Advanced California League. The team has been affiliated with the San Francisco Giants since 1988 and has boasted one of the best records in the Minor Leagues after partnering with the big league club. San Jose has won six California League Championships as a Giants affiliate (2010, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2001 and 1998) and 11 overall. In 25 seasons, the San Jose Giants have graduated 155 Major League players, 110 of whom have played or currently play for the San Francisco Giants. The San Jose Giants have played in historic Municipal Stadium for 70 years. The Giants won back-to-back league championships in 2009 and 2010, and are also the first team in California League history to have won four titles over a six-year span. For tickets please contact the San Jose Giants box office at (408) 297-1435 or visit us online at sjgiants.com.

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