Every summer, the National Champion Santa Barbara Foresters baseball team attracts some of the finest collegiate baseball talent in the country. The players come from all over to play in the Santa Barbara sun, bring home trophies and memories, and help kids through the team’s Hugs for Cubs cancer-victim support program. More than two dozen of these players have gone to Major League Baseball careers (so far!).
One of the biggest issues for the team organizers every summer is finding housing. Manager Bill Pintard reports that the team is scrambling a bit to find host families this year.
“We’ve got a great group of families who love having these guys come to stay with them,” he said. “But right now, we don’t have enough and we’d love to invite other folks in the area to join our team.”
Pintard said that Host Families provide a bed and breakfast for players in June and July. (Opening Day is Saturday, June 6 at 4 p.m. vs. the San Diego Waves.) The players are responsible for getting themselves to and from games and practices. Players follow whatever house rules are established . . . plus they make great in-house “coaches” for young ballplayers!
“We work very hard to make sure our young men are high-quality, classy guys,” Pintard said. “In all the years we’ve been doing this, we haven’t had any problems. What’s also great is the long-term relationships the players and these families establish.”
Longtime Host Family mom Doris Kavanagh says, “Having a Foresters player in our home is a wonderful experience for our family. Our son gains valuable insight about not just baseball, but about life. We are all enriched by our relationship with these wonderful young men.”
And Doug Reeves says that former Foresters pitcher John Gonzalez has become like “another son” in his family.
Foresters Host Families are also welcome for free to a full season of games and can attend other special team functions. If your family would like to be part of this summer baseball tradition, contact the team at 684-0657 or visit www.sbforesters.org.
Jim Buckley is a member of the board of directors of the Santa Barbara Foresters/Hugs for Cubs.
