“Are they coming back?” That was the biggest question asked after the first season of Saguaro's baseball here in Tucson.
The Saguaro’s are part of the Pecos League, an Independent Baseball League, who won the championship in their inaugural season last summer. “Baseball in Tucson...hadn't been around for a while,” says Ken Weir, who is the host family coordinator. “People really missed it.”
Weir is gathering with past host families to help spread the word as the saguaro's new season fast approaches.
“Players make bout $400 a month. It’s not enough to live on,” says Weir. “So they need people to take care of them. House them, feed them, and kind of become their surrogate families.” Right now, Weir says they need host families for about 12 players.
“The player we had was great, says Rick Hupp, who was part of a host family last season. “He played a lot with our son who was 14 then. They'd play video games when he was at home, go out and play football, baseball with him.” Hupp and his wife were host families last year. And said they knew instantly they'd want to host again this year. “They need a place to wash their clothes and lay their head down. So that's what it comes down to.”
For information on becoming a Saguaro host family, visit www.saguarosbaseball.com.
