Host families are a key part of the minor league baseball system. Players simply don’t make enough money to afford to live in Silicon Valley for the six months they play for the San Jose Giants. This article from a local newspaper, the Campbell Reporter, describes Paul Oseguera’s life with his host family. Paul is a pitcher for the 2007 San Jose team, an affiliate of the San Francisco Major League Giants.

We enjoy hosting these players and following their careers….
Host Mom, Jean

From Ask the Baseball Pro:
New Host Mom, Shari wrote:
My husband and I have for the last 2 months been a new host family for a AA Minor leaguer. We are so thrilled to do this but have ran into a problem. What do you do when he is so discouraged and down on himself . He is an incredible defensive player but his bat has not been consistant and one month he is batting great and the next his bat is stone cold. It’s the end of season and he has not been hitting. I know he is worried and extremely stressed out. What can we do? or say? My heart breaks for him. What would you recommend?

From the Baseball Pro:
Shari,
If I had the answer to this question I would have more money than I knew what to do with. This is something that plagues all athletes. The fact of the matter is that when baseball players try harder they perform worse. Somehow he has to relax and just play the game
like he knows how to play it. You can not think about all the negative things, ie getting released, moving down, etc.. My only suggestion would be to tell him to stay in the moment and concentrate on the one task at hand.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm

P.S. Your player might try listening to motivational tapes/CD’s…athletic performance is as much mental as physical.
Host Mom, Jean

From Ask the Baseball Pro:
Bill wrote:
My son had Tommy John surgery in August, 2006. As a result he “lost” his High School Junior year and has just begun to regain his strength during summer ball. He’s just entering his Senior year, but he has no stats from his Junior year. His high school Varsity coach wants to video tape him and send the tapes to college coaches. Does this work?
Thanks.

From the Baseball Pro:
Bill,
College coaches have one way of improving their team and that is to have better players. The reason they build these monstorous facilities is to bring in better in recruits. So to answer your question. Yes, it should work. But you also have to understand that you are not the only parent in the country thinking of this. So my suggestion would be to have someone the college coach knows or respects, to send the video for you. Maybe a scout or the high school coach himself.

The only thing I would be afraid of would be the coach not even having the time to see the video. If there are a few schools you are really interested in maybe you can contact the coach before hand, then send the video after he knows who you are.
Your Baseball Pro, Steve Holm

P.S. Don’t forget high school grades! If your son has a 3.0 GPA or better, AND athletic skills, he’ll get a better shot.
Host Mom, Jean