become a portland pickles Host family
Pickles players stay with local host families during the season. This is a tremendously rewarding experience for both the players and for the host families.
If you are interested in hosting a player(s) on the Pickles, please fill out the form below and we will contact you! Please email info@portlandpicklesbaseball.com with any questions.
General
In selecting our host families, we look for candidates interested in the team, student-athletes and our community who are dedicated to making our players’ summer experience positive and memorable. Portland Pickles host families spend time with their player(s) and treat them as if they are part of the family.
Players typically arrive at the end of May and will leave in mid August at the conclusion of the season. However, they are on the road half of this time playing games against other teams in the league. When the players are in town they spend most of their time at the gym or ball park, so they typically spend a limited amount of time at your home.
Host families are imperative to the success of the team!
Guaranteed Perks for you
2 Free Season Tickets Per Hosted Player (potentially more on a case by case basis)
Special Host Family Section at Walker Stadium
Special parties for Host Families Only
Special opportunity to take Batting Practice
Special gifts at end of the season
Discount on merchandise
Discount on additional tickets
Personal Host Family Liaison to help with any requests, issues, etc.
Unlimited autographs from your hosted player (subject to players approval)
Cell phone number of Pickles Manager, Mark Magdaleno (calls/texts about playing time are not allowed)
FUN!
There are more perks, but we switch it up every season so new things will be surprises to the host families!
Player Conduct
Host families make their own rules at their houses, and our players follow them! Weekly check-ins with host families to provide advice or answer questions are provided by Manager Mark Magdaleno. The player must be on good terms and have a successful relationship with their host family in order to play.
Who am I hosting?
The Portland Pickles are made up of Division 1 college baseball players from around the country. The Pickles recruit, and work extremely closely with the players college coaches to place them in Portland to Play for The Pickles. Players are 18-22 years old, and often times will get drafted by Major League Baseball Organizations the year or two following the season due to the high level of The West Coast League.
Players are very focused on Baseball, and they are representing their college, and their head coach, The Pickles Organization, and most importantly their future when being hosted. Due to the stakes, players must be on their best behavior and make good decisions. Host families very rarely, if ever, have a problem with their host player.
That being said, The Pickles are committed and proud to bring in top level players on and off the field for the summer. These are great, driven young adults that could be MLB’s next star in a few years! Last season, 305 players who previously played in the West Coast League played gamed in Professional Baseball. Will your host player be player 306?!
Transportation
It will be helpful, but certainly not required if your residence is close to Walker Stadium. This allows players to be close to the park and also keeps players closer together. Some players will have a vehicle but there will be some that do not. We are looking to the players to car pool or take public transportation; however that is not always in their best interest for game/practice time. You are not required to provide transportation but please feel free to offer if you would like. There may be instances where your player asks for a ride.
Bedroom
Your player(s) must have a private room for sleep and study. If you host two players, it is fine to have them share one room, but two separate beds must be provided. Each player’s bed should be dressed with clean linens and have a pillow. If you have young children, please ask them to respect the student’s privacy and belongings. The room should also have adequate light and ventilation.
Bathroom
A private bathroom is not required. If a player is sharing a family bathroom, they should have a place for personal grooming items and the door should lock from the inside for privacy.
Laundry
Players are expected to do their own laundry, but they will need access to laundry facilities including a washer and dryer.
Kitchen
Players must have access to the kitchen and utensils to cook and eat meals and snacks. Please provide players with adequate cupboard space and shelf space in the refrigerator to store personal food items.