Host families sought for new TCL team
BASEBALL
From special reports

Would you like to sit down for dinner with Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence? Or maybe spend some quality time with heralded Boston Red Sox rookie Clay Buchholz?

What if you could call one of them a part of the family before they became big league stars?

The new summer collegiate baseball team in East Texas - which will begin play at Driller Park in June - is giving fans the opportunity to do just that with its new host family program. The organization is looking for families that are interested in housing a player for the summer, providing a home away from home for a player from across the state or across the country.

"The host family program is one of the most important and most rewarding things about summer collegiate baseball," said the team's general manager, Mike Lieberman. "There players are coming to an area that's new to them, without their family and friends. But through the summer, players and their host families forge a bond that can last for years."

The responsibilities of a host family are quite simple. The family provides a place for a player to live, plus a meal or two per day while the team is at home, which is roughly half the summer. The room should be private, not shared, and the player will need to have free access to come and go from the house.

Beyond those basics, what a host family really provides is a home environment. Instead of spending their time away from the ballpark in an empty hotel or apartment, players can enjoy a comfortable family atmosphere. In an area that is likely somewhat foreign to these players, host families can offer insight, direction, and support. Whether it's dinner or TV time with the family, or just a playful catch out back with the kids, host families offer players a haven from the daily grind of the season.

Host families can rest assured that players are respectful of their hosts and their new homes. Players are hard-working studentathletes who are thankful for the opportunity to work towards a potential professional baseball career. Moreover, they under- stand that they wouldn't be playing in East Texas were it not for the support of fans and the generosity of host families.

Players will only need housing for roughly ten weeks. Players will arrive in East Texas around June 5 in preparation for the June 10 season opener. The Kilgore team will have 48 games total (24 home games at Driller) - good quality baseball with potential of seeing future major league stars.

The playoffs conclude on August 10, though players may leave earlier depending on the team's performance in the postseason.

In recognition of what they provide to players, all host families will receive season tickets for every member of the family. Not only does that give host families a chance to enjoy all the fun and excitement this summer, but with host families in attendance, players now have some familiar faces in the stands.

To become a host family, fans should visit the host family page of the team's web site, newbaseballteam.com. On that page, you will find an information form about the program that you can download, as well as a host family questionnaire. The questionnaire should be completed and returned to the team's office, after which the team will arrange a meeting to discuss the details of becoming a host family.

Fans that would like to find out more or who have any questions are invited to visit the team's office at 1100 Stone Road, Suite 120, call the team at (979) 739-3436, or send an e-mail to mike@newbaseballteam. com.

Season tickets for the team's historic inaugural season are currently on sale. Season tickets are available as either Lower Box seats or Upper Box seats. Lower Boxes are closer to the field and include in-your-seat wait service. All season ticket holders will enjoy membership in the Premier Club, with benefits like the "Never A Wasted Ticket" program, invitations to exclusive Premier Club events, discounts throughout the summer at the team's souvenir store, and coupons for concessions and merchandise.

Lower Box seats cost $225 each, and Upper Box seats are just $180 per seat. Season tickets can be purchased by visiting the East Texas Sports & Entertainment office at 110 Stone Road, Suite 120, in Kilgore. Fans can also visit the team's web site to get all the information on season tickets and to download an order form, or to follow all the news and developments. Upcoming announcements include players that will make up the inaugural roster and, of course, the new team's name and logo.