THE FUN NEVER ENDS...
HOST FAMILY
HANDBOOK
WHERE THE BOATS MEET THE BASELINES
We are so excited to have you join our team this season! Being a Marlins host family
is a rewarding experience.
Over the course of the season you and your family will develop a unique and
memorable relationship with a student-athlete working towards his dream of
playing professional baseball. Since our inception in 2010, numerous families and
individuals have opened their homes and welcomed players from across multiple
countries.
The Coastal Plain League considers host families the foundation of our league. A
player’s experience starts in your home and before you know it, they are part of your
family.
Our Host Family Coordinator Darleen White has worked countless hours to select
dedicated host families to help us achieve our mission of providing a positive, happy,
and fun life experience for each player as he transitions from their colleges and
hometowns to the Town of Morehead City and the Morehead City Marlins.
With the help of our fi eld manager, Sam Carel, we have made it a priority to match
you with a player suitable to you and your family’s lifestyle. We require our players to
respect your expectations and be dedicated to their performance on the fi eld.
As the Morehead City Marlins Owner, it is my goal to ensure your host-family
experience is the best. Our team is commi ed to building strong lasting relationships
with you, your family, and your player(s).
You are an important part of this team; and as our teammate, we encourage you to
share your thoughts, feedback, and stories with us anytime. We are always here to
listen and support you. Cheers to a fun, successful, memorable, and Championship
season.
Lets Go Marlins
Buddy Bengel
Owner, Morehead City Marlins
WELCOME MARLINS
HOST FAMILIES
THE HOST FAMILY MISSION
To serve as community ambassadors while providing a positive, happy and fun life
experience in a family environment as student-athletes transition from their colleges
and hometowns to the Town of Morehead City and the Morehead City Marlins.
THE COASTAL PLAIN LEAGUE
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier summer-collegiate baseball league. The CPL
is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and
Virginia. Players are not paid, so as to maintain their college eligibility. Graduated seniors are
also eligible to play in the Coastal Plain League.
Teams are run similarly to a professional Minor League team by providing players an
opportunity to play under the same conditions. Teams play a minimum of 48 games scheduled
from late May until August.
To date, the CPL has had nearly 1,750 alumni dra ed and 182 alums make their Major League
debut.
THE ROLE OF A HOST FAMILY
The role of the host family is to provide housing and meals to our players. Housing
requirements include a bed, a private room if at all possible, and access to a bathroom. Players’
also need access to laundry services to wash personal items. Host families are not asked to do
the players laundry.
Outside of room and board, host families are simply asked to monitor the player and help
with anything they need. Most players are new to the area and may need help with directions,
fi nding restaurants, stores and local amenities.
TICKETS + PERKSHOST FAMILY
RESERVED TICKETS IN THE CENTER BLEACHER SECTION
• Full-season tickets per player hosted (i.e.: 1 player = 4 tickets, 2 players = 8 tickets)
• Option to purchase all-inclusive meal vouchers
• Vouchers include all you can eat ballpark food when gates open through the 5th inning.
• Vouchers must be purchased prior to 3pm on Game Day
• Vouchers will be $10 per person.
To purchase vouchers please contact Assistant General Manager, Brianna Miller at
(252) 229-9767 or [email protected].
HOST FAMILY MEMBERSHIP
Host families will receive a Marlins shirt and hat, priority access to giveaway items and discounts
at local partners (I want to add this).
Each host family (One per family) will receive.
• A Marlins Host Family Card for 25% o merchandise at the Team Store (in-stadium)
• (2) FREE Meal vouchers for (choice of Hot Dog/Hamburger, Chips, Drink)
• FREE Admission (subject to availability) to any CPL Ballpark all season
• Professional photo with hosted player (photos will be scheduled)
• Access to the Host Family Box on the third-base side of the stadium
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
• PRE-SEASON SOCIAL: Prior to the start of the season, the Marlins will host a pre-
season social to include a catered meal with players and coaches.
• HOST FAMILY APPRECIATION: Throughout the season, we will integrate host families
into events, game days and more. We will host a Host Family Appreciation day during the
Thursday, June 27th game. Host families will receive a catered meal that night. More
details to be provided.
REPORT DATE & PLAYER SCHEDULE
Marlins players will report on a staggered basis, which is based upon the conclusion of their
collegiate season. On-time players will report three to four days before the first scheduled game
and will need housing for as long as they are with us; the season ends the first week of August.
HOME GAMES
On a daily basis the players will report to baing practice in the early aernoon and play games
in the evening when they are at home. NEW FOR 2024, GAME TIME WILL BE 6:30 PM.
AWAY GAMES
For away games players will leave at dierent time, which will be determined by the travel
location of the away game. Players will return home aer the conclusion of the game. Because
of the travel distance of some away games, players will at times be returning home very early in
the morning.
OFF DAYS
Players get few o days during the season. On their days o, the team will generally give the
players the day to themselves to enjoy the beautiful Crystal Coast. Families are more than
welcome to discuss planning activities with their player if they wish.
The players will be leaving and arriving home many times while you are at work or asleep.
Therefore, we ask families to either leave a key for their player or communicate with them access
to the house. We also advise that you notify neighbors that a new person will be coming and
going from your house to not cause any issues.
If you have any issues or events that the player needs to be aware of, please communicate that
directly with the player.
HOST FAMILY
INFORMATION
FOOD & MEALS
The following meals are provided by the Marlins organization.
• Post-Game meal aer each home game
• Post-Game meal aer each away game
The player and host family are responsible for all additional meals. We recommend maintaining
a reasonable amount of food stocked for your player. It’s best to talk with your player when
they arrive to get an idea of what they like to eat for meals and snacks.
Please note that many of the players will not be around the house for every meal. Players
may arrive home late since games do not typically start until aer 6PM. Families should
communicate to the player about leovers and/or teach the player how to use the equipment in
the kitchen.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I COOK?
Players are on an active-season performance diet. We recommend that you make an extra
helping or two of your normal meal.
Most families do provide at one to two meals per day. We recomend the family expect to prepare
one to to meals per day. If you do not cook meals, please make sure to provide meal supplies for
the player to make their own meals.
HOST FAMILY
INFORMATION
GUESTS & HOUSE RULES
Players are not allowed to invite anyone into your home without your approval, to include a date
or significant other. All players must abide by any house rules you establish and are expected to
maintain themselves in an adult manor at all times. If the player plans to spend the night with a
date or significant other, to include visiting from out of town, we strongly recommend utilization
of the Marlins friends-and-family discount at one of our local partner hotels if accommodations
are not already in place. Please contact Brianna Miller for more information.
WHAT IF A PLAYER DOES NOT ABIDE BY OUR HOUSE RULES?
If a player does not follow house rules or relate to the family appropriately, at the point when
you feel you have clearly addressed the issue(s) and reiterated your expectations to the player, if
resolution is not to your satisfaction, please contact Brianna Miller, so that the Marlins sta can
get involved to facilitate an outcome. The host family’s comfort level with having a player in its
home is of utmost importance to us
IS IT SAFE TO LEAVE PLAYERS AT THE HOUSE ALONE?
Yes, the players are responsible athletes and are screened prior to being oered a position on
the team.
SMOKING POLICY
The Marlins are so grateful for our host families; however if your preference is to smoke in the
house, we cannot place a player to stay there. We instead encourage you to inquire with our
sta about another manner to be involved and support the organization.
TRANSPORTATION
It is not the responsibility of the host family to drive the players to the field or other places.
Players will either arrive with their own vehicle or will be strategically placed near or with a
player, who has a vehicle.
DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY
Providing a safe family environment both on and o the field is our priority. Marlins players
under the age of 21 are not allowed to drink while playing for the team. Any drug use of any
type is not permied or tolerated.
CAN I HOST MORE THAN ONE PLAYER?
Yes, if you have the space this is ideal for the players. In many cases we will pair up players from
the same school who already know each other.
HOW LONG WILL I HAVE MY PLAYER?
Due to the nature of summer-collegiate baseball, there is no consistent answer to this question
unfortunately. If for any reason your player does not remain all summer, and you hopefully wish
to continue hosting, the Marlins will happily assign you the next fiing player that reports and
who did not already have a placement prior to arrival. This uncertainty and flexibility on your
family’s part, regarding players sometimes shuing in and out, can be challenging; and is one of
the big reasons we extend our gratitude and support for your invaluable service.
CAN WE CHOOSE WHICH PLAYER WE HOST?
No, we will try to match players with the families the best we can based on the players’
information. If you have any specific requests, please let us know.
DARLEEN WHITE
Host Family Coordinator
EMAIL
PHONE
BRIANNA MILLER
Assistant General Manager
EMAIL
PHONE
ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS
HOST FAMILY
CONTACTS
