Baseball team seeks hosts for players

April 18, 2010 12:00 am • Last Updated: April 18, 2010 7:15 am

By By CLAIRE BESSETTE Day Staff Writer

Norwich - Tigers need homes.

More specifically, Connecticut Tigers need homes during the coming baseball season.

On Saturday, management of the city's new baseball team held a public forum to take questions, offer answers and make a plea: host families are needed for the 35 players.

Connecticut Tigers General Manager Andrew Weber said that unlike the older, more independent AA professional baseball players, many New York-Penn League players join their teams straight out of high school and college.

For many, this is their first time away from home or a structured college environment. And with a monthly salary of $1,200, not including signing bonuses some top players might receive, players have a hard time finding affordable rental housing.

The Tigers will hold an informational session at Dodd Stadium for residents interested in becoming host families soon.

The parent team, Detroit Tigers, prefers their young minor league players to be housed with host families, with the stipulation that the players pay at least a small stipend to the family.

The Connecticut Tigers will offer several perks to host families, including two free season tickets and season ticket holder benefits - free parking, team picnics, batting practice, use of the skybox lounge and a 10 percent discount on team merchandise.

Weber said another perk is long-term relationships that might arise from hosting families. Retired New York Yankee centerfielder Bernie Williams still keeps in touch with the family that hosted him when he played in the New York-Penn League. Many other Major Leaguers, including new Yankees' centerfielder Curtis Granderson, played for the Tigers in their previous home, Oneonta, N.Y.

Mayor Peter Nystrom said he has been publicizing the need for host families for the team "everywhere I go." He said in addition to supporting the team by coming to games, providing host homes is one of the top priorities for the Norwich area community to show its support for the team.

"I don't ever want to see us lose another team," Nystrom said. "It's very important that we support this team."

About 15 fans attended the forum in advance of the 2010 baseball season that starts in June at Dodd Stadium. The new team plays in the short-season Class A New York-Penn League.

Several past season-ticket holders were in the audience expressing their excitement at the season ahead. Dave Furgess of Milford said he prefers Dodd Stadium to New Britain Stadium and said he loves the Connecticut Tigers logo and uniform design. He "can't wait" to buy team merchandise when it goes on sale.

John Molochko said he was a season-ticket holder for seven years with the former Norwich Navigators and Connecticut Defenders. He's ready to support the new team.

"To me, it doesn't matter who they are a farm team for," Molochko said. "To me, it is my team, my home team."

Front office staff outlined details of the upcoming season and asked for suggestions and comments from those in attendance. The team announced a job fair on May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the stadium to fill seasonal positions.

"This is our team, your team," said Eric Knighton, assistant general manager and play-by-play radio broadcaster. "It doesn't function without you."

For information about hosting a Connecticut Tigers player, call Nystrom's office at (860) 823-3743 or the contact Tigers Director of Community Relations and Promotions Dave Schermerhom at (860) 887-7962.