Read this letter from a former host family

The Hamilton Joes are a baseball team based in Hamilton, Ohio, and are part of the

Great Lakes Collegiate League. Their season typically runs from around June 1 until the

end of July, or into the first week of August if they qualify for the playoffs. Athletes are

recruited from high school or colleges locally and from all over the country.

My Joes Journey

I grew up a fan of baseball during the remnants of a post Big Red Machine era. I was

disheartened by the baseball strike in the 90's, unsure if I would ever be a baseball fan

again. With time I found my way back to baseball, volunteering at the Reds stadium for

several seasons. I even worked in the ballpark as a side job for a couple of seasons

while my daughter was in college.

In 2022, my friend and I moved to Hamilton. In our first summer, we took a bike ride to

see more of our new city and discovered Foundation Field illuminated during a Hamilton

Joe’s game. We had ridden by before and noticed the baseball field in the park, but

never really thought twice about it. This time, we grabbed a schedule and headed home

to plan a date night at the ballpark.

We became instant fans. We love how close we feel to the action, with the players like

professionals playing on the field. These kids are intense. They play summer baseball in

between their college semesters. During the following three seasons, we attended as

many games as we could fit into the schedule. I started using my volunteer skills at the

Joes Games, and my friend became the loud one cheering for the Joes from the back of

the stands all game long. Eventually we were asked and decided to be a Host Family.

When my player arrived with his dad on June 1 st , it was a little weird bringing strangers

into my home. Giving them a tour of my little space. Still unsure about what the next two

months were going to look like. I work full time and I am gone throughout the day, so I

only saw my player occasionally. The players are working out, practicing, or playing all

day. My player was very shy and on occasion we would have great micro conversations

as we were heading off to the next thing. Every game was a little more exciting because

I had a player, I could cheer a little harder for. I got to meet his parents, sister and

extended family that came in to watch home play. The 2 months of games flew by, and

the day came when he was leaving. I found myself a little emotional. I offered my home

anytime he is in this part of town again. And wished him the best as he set off to a D1

college. I hope someday to see him in the big league.

I wondered what it was like for other host families, so I called a friend and fellow host

mom to ask questions about their experience.

Maria: How many times have you been a host family?

Lisa: Tyler played in 2016, so since then.

Tyler in the background: “Well we actually hosted the year before.”

Lisa: oh since 2015, so ten years.

Maria: How did you know about Hamilton Joes?

Lisa: When Tyler played for Miami Hamilton, we found out about them then. Darriel, the

owner of the Joes, was the coach of the Miami Hamilton Team

Maria: What are some of your favorite things about being a host family?

Lisa: I love watching my husband, who used to be a coach, get back into coach mode.

Sometimes when the player comes in after a game they will chat, and he gives some

tips for a better game next time. Also, it is a cool experience to get to know the kids and

their parents. Learning the parents’ dreams and goals for their kids. Learning about the

dreams and goals the kids have for themselves.

Maria: What are some things you would tell a potential host?

Lisa: We had no idea what it was going to be about, it is not what everyone thinks. You

don’t really see the kids much. They are gone for most of the day. Oh, in the beginning I

thought I needed to have a bunch of food for the kids. There is no need to go overboard

with extra food, they are rarely there. 

Maria: I think the protocol now is that we are not required to feed the kids.

Lisa: Yeah, that’s true, we just used to make sure we had enough snacks. But they

never really used them, so we stopped overdoing it. Also, every year there is always a

little hesitation in whether we should do this again. We have never had a bad

experience, there is just some feeling that always comes up.

Maria: Knowing there is an extra person in the house can be a lot to worry about, with

all the unknowns, it can be stressful.

Lisa: Yeah, exactly After a week or so it feels like there is just another kid in the home.

Then you get to know their parents, and everyone feels like family. They have always

been very respectful. They are there for a purpose, so they aren’t trying to do anything

to jeopardize that. I can’t really think of anything that would be a deterrent to being a

host. We love baseball and love being able to help a player have a safe place to live for

two months and focus on baseball.

Maria: Have you followed any of your players through their career?

Lisa: On occasion I see a mom post on social media about her son who is now in the

minors They are from Canada.

The Impact of Host Families on the Team

Hosting a family plays a significant role in our team’s ability to welcome talented players

from across the country. By offering a supportive home environment, host families make

it easier for players to join and feel comfortable when coming to play for the Joes. This

sense of comfort is crucial, as it removes the worry of finding and paying for housing,

allowing players to focus entirely on the game.