With the start of the 2009 season just 64 days away, the Brazos Valley Bombers are getting geared up for another summer of fun and excitement. In addition to hosting several offseason events, including Boofest and Beerfest, the Bombers have been active in and around the community as they make preparations for the upcoming season.

For the average baseball fan, the fun ends with the third out in the ninth inning, but the experiences that are provided for host families extend much further. The opportunity to get to know a Bombers player on a personal level, while being able to grant them with a home away from home will provide you with memories that last longer than just the summer.

With the season running from the beginning of June through the end of August, host families are asked to provide a bed and bathroom, as well as one to two meals per day depending on the players’ schedules. With this responsibility comes the benefit of building a relationship with the player that can last for a lifetime. Bomber players are always appreciative of the effort that you make as a host family and they can serve as a positive role model in the lives of your children.

The Duane family, who has been a Bombers Host Family for the past two seasons, has developed a relationship with former Bomber T.J. Mittelstaedt that has extended far beyond anything they could have imagined. Their kids became very attached to Mittelstaedt over the past two summers and they still keep in contact on a regular basis.

 Pete and Cheryl Munoz, who have also hosted players the past two summers, are looking forward to building another friendship this summer. The bonds they are their children have built with several players, including Kip Masuda and Clint Helms, promises to last for years to come.

In addition to the benefit of building lasting relationships with the players, host families also receive season tickets for the Bombers season. Families have the opportunity to share in the excitement of a Bombers game while getting to root on their Bombers players as they take part in the action. There are also several host family events that will be planned for the summer, which will give you the opportunity to get to know your Bombers player and the rest of the organization on a personal level.

If you have any questions regarding Host Families or would like to host a player, please feel free to contact Ashley Bertling at (979) 779-PLAY, extension 5047 or at [email protected].

The Bombers are members of the Texas Collegiate League, one of the nation’s premier summer collegiate circuits. Teams like the Bombers bring minor league baseball-style entertainment to communities throughout the country, giving some of the best college players a chance to further their careers in wood bat leagues in front of Major League scouts. The Bombers 48-game season begins on June 5 and runs through August 8, followed by the TCL playoffs and a championship series. Season tickets for the 2009 season are now on sale. More information is available by calling the Bombers ticket office at (979) 779-PLAY, visiting the Bombers office in Bryan, or logging on to the Bombers’ official web site at www.bvbombers.com.