Pippins Looking For Host Homes for Players
With the inaugural Yakima Valley Pippins campaign approaching quickly, one of the big steps in the development of the team is finding safe housing for the 25-30 players that will turn Yakima County Stadium back into a baseball hotbed. The Pippins are seeking host families for players for the 2014 season and are now accepting applications.
“Host families are a vital part to integrating these young men into our community,” said Noel Zanchelli, director of operations for the Pippins. “Having a safe home, a second family, to share this experience with is important to their success and will extend another opportunity to share the quality of life that is found in the Valley.”
Host families provide room and board to players on the roster, without financial compensation. Players must have access to a room not shared with other family members (they can share rooms, but not beds, with teammates), ability to have access to a bathroom, food and other amenities common in a family setting. Host families do not have to provide access to a car (although can if they choose to), and are encouraged to invite the players to engage as if they were part of the family.
While no financial compensation is provided, the Pippins recognize the sacrifice that many families will make to add a college-aged young man to their family life. In order to best thank these families, the Pippins will provide season tickets for each member of the household, a free parking pass to all Pippins home games, an in-season party event and a standing 15% off team merchandise during the season.
“I have been telling our players what a great and inviting community we have here in Yakima, and they are incredibly excited for that,” said Pippins skipper Marcus McKimmy, who grew up in Selah. “Our host families will be ambassadors of not only the team but of our community and I am grateful for those who volunteer their time and their homes.”
Many in the community have expressed interest in being a host family. If you would like to learn more, or would like an application, please email Noel Zanchelli at noel@pippinsbaseball.com.
The Yakima Valley Pippins will begin their inaugural season at Yakima County Stadium on June 6th, against East Division rival Wenatchee AppleSox. Tickets are now on sale for the 2014 season, including full-season and partial-season packages, as well as select team merchandise.
You can reach the Pippins offices at 509-575-8304.
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