 |
|
|
 |
|
| « Back |
| |
February 13, 2008 - LOVES PARK, Ill. – Want to share the experiences and success of a professional baseball player? The Rockford RiverHawks’ host-family program is a great way to get to know a possible rising star.
The RiverHawks are looking for host families to potentially house players during the season. Players may be assigned housing as early as the first week of May. Pending the length of the postseason, players may be in homes as late as mid-September.
Host families can enjoy many benefits in exchange for providing room and board: up to four season tickets (depending on household size), a VIP parking pass, a discount card for purchases in the team store, and monthly picnics with the whole team, all exclusive to host families.
Many host families have developed relationships with players that have lasted long beyond the players’ days in Rockford.
“We’ve always had a good experience,” said Tim Javurek, owner of TJ’s Auto and a longtime member of the host-family program. “We’ve been doing this for four years now and we’ve had a great experience with the guys we’ve had. What some people have to realize is that the guys aren’t always there… but we’ve always had a good experience with our boys.
“They’re from another party of the country and you often learn different things that aren’t just baseball things. We learn an awful lot about how baseball works and why this and that happens.”
Two former RiverHawks that stayed with the Javureks – pitchers Tanner Watson and Derrick Ellison – signed with the Chicago Cubs this winter and contacted their old host family with the news.
“We always look at these guys as our kids anyway because some of them are the same age as our kids,” Javurek said. “When these kids become your kids, you go to see them at the games and when one of them makes the Cubs or something like that, we’re real excited for them. Every guy that comes through your door, whether for a day a week or a month, you hope for the best for them. … It is exciting for us to see them excited about it.”
Families interested in the program should contact assistant general manager for baseball operations Todd Fulk at (815) 885-2255.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league that will play its 16th season this summer. Advertising and season-ticket information is available by calling the box office at (815) 885-2255. Most games are broadcast live on WNTA (1330 AM) and the internet. Fans can also visit the RiverHawks online at www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
|
|
| |
| Search Archives |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ©2006, Rockford RiverHawks. All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
>
