Host Families – Walnut Creek Crawdads

Calling all baseball families, empty nesters, fans of collegiate athletics, and anyone else with a hospitable spirit – and a vacant bedroom or two! The Walnut Creek Crawdads baseball organization needs host families in the Tri-Valley / Lamorinda area that can provide housing for Crawdad players during the upcoming 2023 Summer season.

About the Walnut Creek Crawdads

The Walnut Creek Crawdads [non-profit 501(c)(3)] are a summer collegiate baseball team and member of the California Collegiate League (CCL) – one of the top collegiate summer leagues in the US. Each year, young men come to the area from across the country and play a 45-50 game schedule over a 2-month+ period that begins in early June. The team plays its home games at Monte Vista High School in Danville and travels throughout California for away games. The 2022 roster had players from 13 states and 25 schools, including Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Rice, Arizona, USC, and Cal.

About Crawdads Host Families

Host families are a critical part of the Walnut Creek Crawdads organization and contribute directly to the success of the program and its players. Without host families the team could not function. Local residents provide accommodations and a safe and positive environment to one or more players for approximately 8-9 weeks.

What Host Families Receive

Crawdads gear/merchandise
In-game opportunities for kids (bat boy/girl)
Host-Family Appreciation game and post-season celebration event
Friendships that last a lifetime!

What Host Families Provide

Private room with a bed
Access to laundry
Access to a kitchen
Accommodations from the end of May through the beginning of August

Host Family Questions and Answers

What must I provide for the player(s) I host?

“Families are required to provide players with a private room, a regular bed, access to laundry, shower, and the kitchen. Providing the player(s) with food and access to the internet is not required, but is acceptable and encouraged.”

Am I expected to provide my player with transportation?

“No, many of the players will drive their own cars. For the ones that do not have cars, the team will help arrange transportation during the season. You can, however, provide a car or rides if you chose.”

How long will the players require housing?

“The players will arrive at the beginning of June and will depart the first week in August.”

Can I host more than one player?

“Yes! Those interested in hosting multiple players are invited to do so.”

Under what guidelines will the players abide?

“The players are expected to respond to each family’s “House Rules.” Which may include but are not limited to cleanliness, curfew or assigned chores.”

Do most families host a player once or multiple years?

“Many of our families will host players year after year. Our experience is that new host families will host a player for the summer and before the season is over, will ask to host a future player next summer.”

Can I choose which player I host?

“No, however, we will do our best to accommodate specific requests.”

Who do I contact if I'm interested in hosting a player?

Answer 8: “Traci Cross-Cummings at hostfamilycrawdads@gmail.com or 510-506-4859”

Host Family Testimonials

“We truly enjoyed the experience of hosting players in our home. We loved watching them progress as players, develop lasting relationships with their teammates, and enjoy meals with our boys and their friends. We are looking forward to hosting again next summer.”

– Traci Cross-Cummings

“Hosting the Crawdads players each summer has been great! Attending their games, sharing meals, and meeting their families, has made it a really fun experience. We highly recommend hosting as it has created lifelong relationships beyond baseball with these young men.”

– Rina and Mike Trautner

“Being a host family was such a treat for us – we provided a room but we got so much more
in return. The boys were polite and gracious, and we really enjoyed getting to know them and watch them play. We even traveled to some of the away games. We’re looking forward to hosting again this summer.

– Janell and Ralph Ojeda

If you are interested in an unforgettable experience this Summer, please contact Traci Cross-Cummings at 510-506-4859 or fill out and submit this form to us