Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live with a Sioux City Explorer? You see them making highlight plays on the diamond every night, now what if they got to live with you?
The X’s recent success on the field while attributed to hits, strikeouts, home runs and stolen bases can also be measured by the incredible people who open up their homes off the field to our players.
Your favorite Explorers over the past 29 years would not be here without the gracious help of our host families.
And we want you to be a part of the team.
We completely understand for many of you this is something very new, so let’s try and answer some questions that you may be thinking right now.
What do I get out of this?
Of course with anything our first question is often, “what’s in it for me?”
Here is what is in it for you. You become a full season ticket holder and all the perks that come with it. Tickets for you and the entire family for the full 2021 season which features 56 home games.
A parking pass for the 2021 season, a season ticket holder incentive card (punch it for every game you come to and get free stuff), chance to join our mug club, and of course free playoff tickets in the same seats you’ve held all year.
What if my players gets released or traded?
It is professional baseball after all. It’s a business and rosters can change in an instant. But it’s really quite simple you are assigned a new player.
How many players do I have to take to get the season ticket holder perks?
One. All we ask at the very minimum is that you take one player at a time for us. Now if you feel like you can take on more than that then please by all means take as many as you would like.
Do I get a preference of what type of player I get? Can I request a certain player?
Why of course. You can specify what type of player you are looking for and we would do our best to make those accomodations. If you have a favorite player in mind, as long as they are not with another host family already then you are more than welcome to ask for that specific one.
When it comes to pairing host families with players many times we have players requesting to go back to certain host families, they enjoyed their time with them that much. And at times we have host families and players develop a lasting relationship that makes it a no brainer for where the player will live that season.
What if I am having trouble with my player?
While we don’t usually see this being an issue it’s again a very easy answer.
It is your house, your rules.
Plain and simple.
If the player that is assigned to you is causing trouble, immediately bring it to our attention and we will fix the situation. You are the one volunteering to open up your home to someone else, so you get to make the rules.
And before this worries you, this happens very seldomly. 99{01592211ad1b0494c7248995e911e96871ba37b405f80c3a4a03e9f8c4b21653} of our host family/player pairings are a great match.
What are the requirements for hosting a player?
We only ask that you provide them a suitable living condition and a good bed to sleep in. These are players who are used to sleeping on buses and hotel rooms. A normally functioning home with a decent bed will be a welcomed comfort.
Testimonials
“They’re awesome, they are a second family and I whole heartedly mean that. They’re great people, they’re fun to be around and they take care of me like I’m one of their own. And I’m very, very lucky and blessed to have that family in my life.” – Ryan Flores, Pitcher
“We would not be able to do what we do on field without the help from the incredible families off it. Our daily success comes directly from the people who open their hearts and homes to take in our players, and I can’t thank them enough.” – Steve Montgomery, Sioux City Explorers Manager
“It was a very rewarding experience to be able to host a player. They become an extra part of your family forever and it allows you to make a connection that you don’t get to make as a normal fan.” – The Pitkin’s, 2019 Host Family
We hope this answers some of the immediate questions that you have about becoming a Sioux City Explorers Host Family.
If you have any further questions or are interested in becoming a host family, please email Boyd Pitkin at [email protected]
The Sioux City Explorers 29th year in Siouxland will begin at MercyOne Field at Lewis and Clark Park on May 18th versus the Houston Apollos.