Rafters Now Accepting Applications for Host Family Program

Have a spare bedroom for a future big leaguer? Want to help a young athlete reach their dream? Every year, roughly 45 elite college baseball players come to Wisconsin Rapids from all around the country, to better their baseball skills and showcase their talent in the Northwoods League. What most people don’t know is there’s a way to get more involved with the organization and the players than just attending the games. The Rafters have a Host Family Program where members of the Greater Wisconsin Rapids community step up and host players for the season.

Not only does hosting a player connect you with Rafters Baseball, but it provides you with an opportunity to connect with young, aspiring athletes from around the United States. Hosting players allows families to develop fun and strong connections with the Rafters and Northwoods organization. Over the last nine years there have been 65 former Rafters play professional baseball, 36 of which are currently still playing.

Hosting a player allows you to establish new connections with the athletes, their family, and potentially their future. Previous and current host families continue to keep in contact with the players they have hosted, including making cross country visits. Hosting a player can widen your perspective, allow you to meet new people from around the country, and show support to aspiring baseball players, while having a summer full of fun and baseball.

Additional benefits of hosting a Rafters player includes:

-Each member of your immediate family will receive FREE Bleacher Season Tickets with the ability to upgrade at a discounted rate.
-Your family will receive a Merchandise Discount at the Rafters Team Shop.
-Your family will receive a FREE Pass allowing entrance into all Northwoods League ballparks to watch the team on the road.
-The player will be a Positive Role Model for your children.
-You will have the opportunity to make a Positive Impact on the future of a young man.
-You may be getting to know a Future Major League Baseball Star.
-You have the potential for the creation of a Long-Term Friendship.
-Your family will receive a complimentary Daily Wave program insert each home game.
-Your family will attend Special Host Family Events throughout the year, including a Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa Rat Trap Deck Party at one game during the summer.
-Being more involved with the Community.
-Being a part of the Rafters Family and the benefits that come with this.

If you are interested in hosting a player please fill out the form below. For questions and additional information please check out this link (Host Family Page) or by emailing our Host Family Coordinator Brandon at djonthego.biz@gmail.com

Want to attend a Rafters game next season? Rafters 9-Game Ticket Packages are on sale now! For more information on all Rafters ticket offerings visit Raftersbaseball.com, call the Rafthouse at 715-424-5400, or come visit us over at historic Witter Field. The Rafthouse is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday at Witter Field, 521 Lincoln Street in Wisconsin Rapids. Single game tickets go on sale Friday, April 19.

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The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, over 200 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist (CHC) and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (BOS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET) and Curtis Granderson (TOR). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League portal. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.

Host Family Interest Form

Please fill out this form if you are interested in becoming a host family. Someone from the Rafters will contact you to discuss it more.

Host Family/Host Parents Name*
First Last
Address*
Street Address City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Home Phone Number*
Cell phone
Email Address*
Best way to reach family:*
Do you have any children or other family members in the home? If so, please fill out the following information.
First Name Middle Initial Last Name Date of Birth Boy/Girl Live at Home?
The Northwoods League season runs from late May through mid August. Are you able to host more than one player for the full season?*
Do you have household pets? (specify number, breed, indoor/outdoor)*
Do you allow smoking in your home?*
What accommodations would you offer your player/players (bed, private room, etc.)?*
Would you allow overnight guests?*
Can transportation be provided to the ballpark if the player does not have a car?*
Is there ample parking if the player has his own car?*
Would you want the player to interact on a regular basis with your children?
Would you be willing to contact the players "real" family if need arises?*
Why do you want to be a Host Family and what benefits can you offer to the player?*
By submitting this electronic application form, I hereby authorize the the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters and Jo-Vin Baseball LLC to perform background checks of household members 18 years of age or older. I also certify the information provided is accurately listed and up to date.

First Name	Middle Initial	Last Name	Date of Birth	Boy/Girl	Live at Home?