Make this an unforgettable summer and host a Sunfish player!
The Sioux Falls Sunfish are looking for host families for the upcoming 2021 (May-August) season. We rely on dedicated host families in the Sioux Falls area to provide players with a supportive home away from home during the season. If you're interested in learning more call 605-274-9900 or email nick@siouxfallssunfish.com.
Expectations of the Host Family:
- Provide the player with clean, safe home (bedroom, bed, bathroom, laundry access, parking space if needed)
- Have food available for the player
- Provide the player with clear household rules and expectations
- Communicate with player and team staff if issues arise
Expectations of the Player(s):
- Be respectful and appreciative to their hosts
- Keep their room and personal space in a clean and orderly fashion
- Provide their own health and personal care items
- Minimize noise level of activities, including comings and goings, as to not disturb others in the house
- Pay for their own expenses outside the home (gas money, restaurant meals, shopping other than groceries)
Expectations of the Sunfish organization:
- Maintain prompt and open communication regarding any questions or concerns that may arise, or any change in player placements
- Provide host families with season tickets, discounted merchandise card, and other included perks
Arrivals:
Most players will arrive during the week of May 20, 2021, and stay through the conclusion of the season in early August. Due to school schedules or college team commitments, some may arrive later in the season or depart earlier. Some players may also be added and released for various reasons during the season, so we appreciate flexibility and willingness to take in a new player if this should happen.
Meals/Schedule:
With a full schedule of 64 games (32 home, 32 away), players will spend much of the summer traveling with the team on the road. While the team is in town, the Sunfish will provide players a pre-game and post-game meal on each game-day. As a host family, we ask that you have food options available for the player outside of these meals. Players will generally report to the ballpark mid to late afternoon on game-days, and will also participate in community appearances, workouts, and other activities throughout the day.
Transportation:
Host families will not be responsible for player transportation. Many players will have their own car. For those that do not, we will place them with or near another player that does have transportation for carpooling.
Player’s Free Time:
Our players’ main purpose for being here is baseball. Their schedule will consist of daily practices, games, and long road trips. With their limited free time, you may invite them to participate in some family activities with you, but please keep in mind their busy schedule.
Most of our players are under age 21, and therefore not allowed to purchase or consume alcohol. For players who are of age, it will be up the host family to decide if you will allow them to consume alcohol in your home. It will also be up to the host family’s discretion to establish rules on having guests and overnight guests. Our coaching staff has taken great care to recruit players who will be positive role models in the Sioux Falls community. Players sign a code of conduct and will understand that they are to positively represent themselves, their school, and the Sunfish organization at all times.
Vacation:
We understand summer is a busy time for many families which may include vacations or weekends at the lake. We ask that in preparation for this time away, you have food and meals available for the player, and provide the player with all appropriate keys, access codes, and protocol for all necessary household operations while you’re away.
Interns:
In addition to our players, we are also looking for host families to house our non-local interns for the 2021 season. Our interns will be college students who are pursuing a career in sport management. While interns will not travel with the team, their schedule will consist of working each Sunfish home game, and additional office hours and community appearances throughout the season. Interns will arrive in mid-May and stay through the conclusion of the season. Interns will be expected to follow the same rules and expectations as players regarding their host families.
Host Family Appreciation Night:
Each season, we will honor our host families in an on-field ceremony before a Sunfish home game. More information will be passed along as this date approaches.
All host family applicants will be subject to an in-home interview and background check.
