HOST FAMILIES

Host family program

Our Intercounty Baseball League players are coming to Chatham-Kent from across Canada and we will be adding some import players from outside of the country. These players will need to be lodged close to our ballpark during the season from May to September. Some players will receive the benefit of a total immersion into the Canadian culture with their host families.

We are seeking local fans and families to host a player or two. Host families play an immensely important role for organizations like ours and have become a long-lasting tradition in a number of sports while giving players a chance to experience our community.

The club wants to establish a top respected program to offer players a unique chance to enjoy their summer in Ontario.

Host family testimonials:

Rhonda and I were excited to open our home to being billets for the 2025 season. I am involved with the team as their clubhouse manager for the past 2 years that the Barnstormers have established. With myself getting to know the players personally, and talking throughout the inaugural year. The need for more billeting was needed, Rhonda and I spoke with Dom and Harry and agreed to billet the second season and we agreed to host one player which was Sadler Goodwin. All was set for the beginning of the season, then there was another player who needed temporary housing, and agreed to welcome Yuri O'Connor-Yokoyama.

Both of these young men were very adaptive to there new home very quickly, so good that Yuri ended up staying the whole season with Rhonda and I. The lives of these two ball players off the field were extraordinary, both had more respect for Rhonda and I in our home. They were very neat and tidy young men, they kept their rooms neat and tidy without much help at all. They did their own laundry and made their breakfast every morning and not just for themselves but for us as well. When the boys were not playing ball we also had a family sit down meal which Sadler and Yuri loved we could talk about anything.

The experience that Rhonda and I had this summer was more than we could have dreamed of as being billets, and we were very honored to have met these two gentlemen and their families. We know have friends for life all thanks to the Chatham Kent Barnstormers for locating to Chatham-Kent.

Rhonda & Brian Bennett

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Becoming a billet host has gotten me out and involved in the community. The players that come in are amazing and appreciate everything we do. Becoming a billet host has extended my family! I am very happy that I chose to become part of the billet host family!!

Tracey

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When we were first asked to take in a young semi-pro baseball player on short notice, we thought it would just be for a week or two until something more permanent could be arranged. He’s from another province and had originally been signed by a team about 150 km away. Just before the season began, he was released and quickly picked up by the Barnstormers. Because of the sudden transition, the Barnstormers didn’t have accommodation available for him right away, and that’s when we were asked to help.

What started as a temporary arrangement quickly turned into something much more meaningful.

Within days, it was clear that he was a special young man — hardworking, respectful, and always pleasant to have around. He fit into our household seamlessly, never hesitating to help out or lend a hand when needed. After those first two weeks, we told him he was welcome to stay for the rest of the season, and we were thrilled when he returned to stay with us again for his second year.

Through Torrin, we’ve also had the pleasure of meeting several of his teammates, and we’ve been so impressed by all of them. They’re fine young people — polite, hardworking, and a real credit to the organization.

It’s been a joy getting to know Torrin and watching him grow both on and off the field. He’s truly become a part of our family, and we’d be more than happy to welcome him back again next season. Hosting him has been a wonderful experience, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of his journey.

Laura and Rob

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Becoming a host home for the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers has been a very rewarding experience for the first two seasons of the franchise. I’ve met young men from different countries, different cultures and different baseball experiences on their path to becoming a semi-professional baseball player. As fans of the team we cheer for everyone, but as a host family you cheer just a bit louder for the player who call your place ‘home’ for the season. The team has done a fabulous job in recruiting quality young men who are polite, respectful, helpful and just overall great guys. I have a sign that says ‘Enter as strangers, leave as friends’ but it should say ‘leave as family’ because that what the players truly become. I’m looking forward to hosting a player in season 3!

Lisa

One of our prospects said, « In my situation, I can’t afford an apartment for the summer. Plus, a host family is a great way to make new life-long friends ».

The Host Family program is a great way to get to know our players and to go above and beyond supporting your local IBL club.

Why do we need Host Families?

IBL players do not receive a salary. Finding a seasonal job away from home that doesn't compete with our baseball season can be a very difficult task. Host families are also a huge help for players adjusting to life as a baseball player which can be quite rigorous. Some of them don’t even have a vehicle to go to the ballpark, and they will be walking or biking to our home ballpark.

What do we offer Host Families?