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Ocean State Waves

Host Families

Host Family Coordinators:

Jennifer Petrucelli & Jessica Lindsay - OSWHostFamilies@gmail.com

Host Family Program

Our Host Families are the heart and soul of our organization, none of what we do would be possible without their sacrifices and generosity! Each summer, local families within the community host a Waves player from the first week of June through the beginning of August. Our players represent the nations top collegiate talent, and join the Waves with the opportunity to compete in the most competitive amateur collegiate draft league in the country. Our athletes are competing in 5-7 games a week against teams from all across New England, and are competing for the chance to take their careers to the next level. Players are a representation of themselves, their collegiate programs, their families and their teammates here in the Ocean State -- this is not a "college kid free-for-all", it is their golden ticket to playing professionally.

As a host family, you would be responsible for providing your players with a clean and healthy living environment for eight weeks as our athletes compete in a rapid 42-game/60 day season. Players arrive the first week of June and depart the first week of August, depending on the Waves' playoff succes. Our host family population ranges from families with young children to empty nesters, all coming together through a shareed love of the game! Expectations are left to the discretion of each individual family and their household rules, and players are to respect the individual requirements of each household. 

What is required to be a Host Family:

  • A bed
  • Bathroom Access
  • Laundry Access
  • Wifi
  • Kitchen Access
  • .... yes, that's it!

What Hosting a Player IS:

  • Positive role models for your kids! Our athletes are amongst the greatest in the nation, and they come to the Ocean State with the goal of getting drafted and continuing their careers at the professional level - they are here to achieve a lifelong goal! Whether you are a baseball family or not, hosting a Wave is a prime example to the younger generation of the importance of hard work and discipline to succeed at the highest levels both academically and athletically!
  • Creating lifelong bonds and relationships! Our guys truly embody the familial and community aspects of our organization. We've had players come through our organization that even years removed, plan yearly trips to visit their host families. And to the same token, we've had players come through the organization and stay with a host family, to then years later flying them across the country to come support in their Major League Debut! These relationships matter, and are much deeper than a simple transaction.
  • Sharing experiences, and even having a live-in coach! Per our host families that have young athletes looking to reach the level these guys are at, that are not only an inspiration, but can be an asset in their development as an athlete. This could range from advice and tips on or off the field, to playing wiffle ball, or working on skills to help your young athlete improve their game and training.
  • A full house of love and getting to be apart of these boys' journeys! Our athletes come from the top programs across the country, and are competing for an opportunity to continue their careers in the most competitive league in collegiate baseball. We've had players drafted out of the ballpark, players go on to become collegiate All-Americans, to even World Series Champions! But none of this would be possible without the experiences and exposure provided by spending a summer with the Waves. Your sacrifice can be the golden ticket granting a kid the opportunity to make a name for themselves! 

What Hosting a Player IS NOT:

  • College kids partying in your house. Our athletes are playing six games a week - their schedules consist of traveling, training, and playing in games, and they are fully aware of that coming in. They use the little spare time they get to eat, sleep, and train! Additionally, they are in complete understanding that as guests in your house, they are to abide by your household rules (curfew, meals, cleanliness, etc). 
  • Being responsible for their transportation and meals. Most of our athletes come to the Ocean State with their own cars, or are accounted for in proximity to other teammates who will provide them with transportation to the field and to the bus on away games. You will not be responsible with bringing them anywhere! As for food, it is up to you whether you want to provide them with weekly groceries, or if you'd prefer they purchase their own. Again, YOUR HOUSE = YOUR RULES! There is no expectation from us as to how you choose to navigate your host family experience. 
  • More time and work for you. Our athletes represent the ideals of our organization - they are responsible, respectful, and excellent young men. They are here on a mission, and are beyond grateful for the opportunity. They are self-sufficient, and stay out of your hair! Hosting a Wave is NOT the equivalent to inheriting the responsibility of another child. 

Additional Details:

  • The boys arrive the first week of June and play six games a week (three home, three away) against teams from all across New England.
  • The regular season ends July 31st, with the possibility of a post season tournament that extends through the first week in August. 8 out of 13 teams qualify for the postseason tournament, so dependent on performance, the players could be staying an additional week.
  • You set the rules for your house as far as groceries, chores, curfew, etc. They are a part of your family and are expected to contribute as such. 
  • Players do their own laundry and cook their own meals, unless offered otherwise. 
  • The team feeds the players on all game days. 

 

Host Family Testimonials

The Joyce family have been involved with the organization in a multitude of ways for over a decade, and started off as a host family! In recent years, Kathy served as our Host Family Coordinator, her husband Vinny our Concessions Director, and their son Tim, formerly our Assistant General Manager! They have hosted over 25 players in the last ten years, and keep in touch with all of them to this day! 

Notably, the Joyce's hosted Brandyn Garcia in the summer of 2022, just one year before he was drafted to the Seattle Mariners. Three years later, Garcia got the call of a lifetime, and made sure his former Host Family would get to be there with him in this big moment. Kathy, Tim and Vinny got to fly out to Seattle for Garcia's big moment, a night none of them will ever forget!

"Being a host family was the highlight of our summer! The players are amazing to watch and serve as positive role models for the kids. We feel very fortunate to have hosted for the past couple of years and hope to accommodate more in the future!

- Aaron

 

"On a whim, I responded to the call for Host Families for the Ocean State Waves Baseball team, which I had never heard of before, and have now hosted for two summers - the first with one player, and the second with three! All the players have been wonderful additions to our summer, and my grandsons love having "big boys" to play ball with when they visit. Beyond that, the players rejuvenated our love for baseball while we watch these young men in their eagerness to pursue their dream of becoming Major League Baseball players! If you have the space, and an inch of generosity, then I would truly recommend adding this to your valuable lifetime experiences!"

Dianne