jamisea

I love Allison! When Ryan played in Pensacola, Allison called me to ask questions about housing very early—like in January—as she anticipated that Ryan would land on the AA Roster. Lord knows that navigating LIFE off the field can be hard for players. If a player is lucky enough to have a parent who is as much of an advocate for them as Allison is for Ryan, they are truly blessed. FYI, Ryan doesn't do social media, so Allison keeps us up to date on him.

Two Words: Ryan Mason. Call him up. He'll sort it out. Nerves of steel & talent to boot.

If any of ya'll come down here, let me know. We'll "pass a good time."

For the record—from a Blue Wahoos perspective—the realignment makes sense in a lot of ways. BUT we will miss the Twins. The entire organization is a class act—including my fellow online commenters.

IMHO from a Pensacola perspective, we would be sad to see the Twins leave. We love the Twins and their organization from the players up are all FIRST CLASS. From my understanding, MLB wants their affiliates realigned in order to get geographically closer to farm teams. So I chuckle about Miami. Geographically, If I need to drive to Miami from Pensacola: 11 hours. If I need to fly there, there are few direct flights. The closest MLB teams to Pensacola are Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Houston and by 3 miles—the Texas Rangers. The rumor mill is def. working OT in Pensacola though. I have head the Mariners and D-Backs are also interested—neither of which make any geographical sense....

As a Blue Wahoos host mom, this is great news! I miss my “sons” this year, but at least they will get paid. Thanks Twins!

Our family has been getting to-go food from the Blue Wahoos and I was treated to a delicious Mother's Day brunch with a beautiful water view! Sadly, I am not nearly as happy since there are no players here, but I'm not as sad as the players are.

We are on the same page, but logistically, having players in host families coming in and out from road trips is bound to make families not want to host a player. Our team travels through FL, AL, MS, TN and through GA. That's bound to cause issues—and a lot of hotels are still closed.

Blue Wahoos host mom chiming in. I have spoken to several of my "sons" over the past couple of weeks, both from the Reds and Twins and none of them are optimistic about a season for them. The Venezuelan players are stateside, as most had just arrived when all of this happened and VZ would not take them back. The only optimism I've heard is a couple think that if MLB expands the rosters, they have a chance of getting called up. The other players are spread out across the US, trying to make due with whatever workout situation they have. The lucky guys are the ones in less populated states, where they can get outside and do some form of baseball workout—even if it's with their family standing in during "practice." The less fortunate guys are ones who are "holed up" in heavily populated areas like New Jersey or New York where the lockdown has been very strict. From my perspective as a host mom—and the one who volunteers to coordinate the host family program in Pensacola, there's another issue: How many local families are willing to host players who are traveling a bunch and coming in every 5 days from a different place? I know a couple of our families who have health issues that would probably not want a player this season. How many hotels will be open for road trips, and how many states will have "self-quarantine" laws in effect when the players cross state lines? Just this morning, I read that the Angels are cutting their MiLB staff. https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2020/05/19/los-angeles-angels-furloughs-minor-league-staff-june-1st/ I have to think that other teams will sadly, have to follow suit. This whole thing makes me sick but I applaud the local teams who have come up with creative ways to keep some revenue coming in. If you need something to do in Pensacola, look no further than this: Bubba Watson's Disc Golf Course at Blue Wahoos Stadium. https://www.milb.com/pensacola/news/bubbawatsondiscgolf

I met Willie Joe when he was in Pensacola for the Twins Caravan. He was called at his home the morning of the event to substitute for another player who missed his connecting flight and wouldn't make it in time. Pascagoula, MS is a 1.5 hour drive down I-10 and so Willie Joe jumped in his car and drove to the Caravan. What a very nice young man. I don't know about his baseball playing yet, but his work ethic and personality are 5-stars in my book. I hope to see him in Pensacola very soon.

I'll be in Ft. Meyers late on Sunday March 22 - Wed. March 25.

We don't normally see players outside of the season, unless we travel to Spring Training. We did that last season and are going this season with the Blue Wahoos front office staff. However we have had the occasional player roll through town and spend the night on the way home from somewhere else. We have an "open door policy" with all of the "kids." I'm facebook friends with many of the players, so try to keep up with them when we can. Last season was a bit confusing when the Lookouts (Reds) played in Pensacola because we hosted 3 of those players before. One of our former Reds players, Calten Daal, was traded to the Twins—so that will be fun to see him again in Ft. Myers!

Hey y'all, Twins host mom (Blue Wahoos) posting here. I'm happy for the pay raise for the players. I had to chuckle at the logic when I saw someone post about the players getting $400/week = $10/hr. LOL. Players are at the stadium 10-12 hours per day. A lot of their day is working out, PT, BP, etc. before the game. Oh and between Opening Day and the final game (5 months), they get 11 days off. Some of the "days off" end up being half days because they need to load up for a road trip. The guys who make the All-Star team only get 8 days off. The team provides 2 meals per day at the stadium, an afternoon lunch and a meal after the game. There are a few free host families in Pensacola, but some are charging some sort of rent (200-300/mo.) From my understanding, Cedar Rapids is free. In Ft. Myers the players can stay at the training facility, but are charged a fee for room/board. I have heard it's $10 per day, which is a bargain for anyone. Out of their salary, the players have to pay the clubhouse manager, buy breakfast, get transportation, and buy their own equipment (though a few players are provided equipment through endorsements.) On days they are on the road, the Reds used to pay the players get a per diem of $25. I haven't heard what the Twins pay. They do get excellent healthcare—as they should. After all it's in the team's best interest to keep the players at top physical conditioning. Far more players than you'll ever know get ZERO signing bonuses. Maybe they had a crap agent, or no agent. Maybe they were signed from outside MLB. Of the 26 players we have housed over the past 5 seasons, I think 8-9 had signing bonuses. And yes, there have been 6 guys sharing a 1 bedroom apt. Not here in Pensacola, but one of our former players from the Daytona Tortugas did just that. On that note, the players know they are lucky to be playing baseball, especially international players. They love it. But it's also their job. We all wish we could get paid for the skill we LOVE rather than slogging away at a desk (I'd ride my Vespa 12 hours a day if I could). Let's play ball! Jami

Keep going guys and we'll see you in Pensacola soon. Our family has hosted quite a few of the Latin players this season and they are really great guys.

Pretty sure the reason Hackimer was suspended has something to do with his public display of anger at the manager (Borrego) on the field. My husband was at the game. I can't describe it further than this as I was not there.

Here's an update for everyone. It's been a busy weekend but looks like most of the players and coaches have places to stay. We actually have 2 host families that do not have a player (yet). This is because at the older age, most of the guys wanted to share an apartment rather than live with a family. Big welcoming ceremony tonight for the team... For the shipping cars question. There are services which pick up the cars and either ship them on an auto transport truck or have a person do it. Many of the players get a family member to take their car. Shipping a car is $$$. When my hubby and I were in Ft. Myers weekend before last, we saw a huge transport vehicle loading up the MLB players vehicles. Believe me, you could tell. Not a lot of Toyotas if you know what I mean. Last season, a player bought a beater car here and my husband bought it for the players to use this season.

As a host mom for the past 3 seasons in Pensacola, I applaud the Blue Jays and agree that the Minor League players should be paid more. It's a good first step. Our team here, Blue Wahoos (AA) were associated with the Cincinnati Reds since 2012 and the Reds did feed the team "healthy" catered meals 2x a day at the stadium. Sometimes it was food the players did not care for, but they were fed. I understand the Twins does the same thing. On the road they guys get a per diem. However, I helped one of my kids do his taxed for the YEAR and he was only paid 6600.00. Also keep in mind they have to pay the "clubbie" for laundry, services, etc. and there goes $300/mo. out automatically. In the case of Pensacola—a resort town during baseball season—there are few affordable rentals and even less when you consider the player has to find a landlord who will give them an employment clause, so when they do get sent up, traded, etc., the player's not in agua caliente—financially-speaking. That being said, they do have very good health insurance—as they should. Most of the young men we have housed have not received a big signing bonus, but they are passionate about the game and know if they are from VZ, DR etc they are better off than many of their countrymen. If you are near a minor league team and have a spare bedroom, contact your local team and help a kid out.

I counted the final rosters from both the Miracle and the Lookouts, vs. Tortugas and Lookouts as they stood at the end of the season, mostly so I could look for more Spanish speaking families if we needed them. I thought the Reds affiliates had many more Int'l. players.

Hi there...about the distance...IMHO that's not too far at all. This is my 4th season. I will add that when the Reds were in Pensacola, 1/3 of the roster was international players and most of them didn't have a car. Also quite a few of the US players didn't have cars. Because of the distance and time when coming off a road trip we try to save the players precious time. With the Twins, there are not nearly as many international players and because Spring Training is closer, most players will have cars. Also sometimes a FREE host family, even 30 minutes away is better than rent! If your in-laws are in Pensacola, I'd be happy to have them host! We could use 1-2 more! Contact me at jamisea@yahoo.com

Top Golf is a driving range...I had no idea either!

Oh...I have stories...LOL Last season, one of our players (Luis) asked me, "Mami...you know somebody I can play golf with?" I told him I thought my boss would take him. I asked him if he played golf before and, "oh yes, I looooove golf." So...I speak with my boss. He says if it's ok for a Saturday 7 a.m. tee-time, he'd do it. My boss says, "Hey, has Luis ever played golf before?" I replied that he had. I tell Luis he's got a golf date at the country club—and that I had never been to the country club...and Luis told me he could get up for me to take him to the CC at 7. (I was understandably skeptical.) The night before (after the BB game), Luis got some wardrobe advice (ripped skinny jeans with zippers wasn't cutting it) and on Sat. a.m. he was up and dressed. I take him to the Country Club and my boss is there...I introduce them. All you really need to know is that apparently, Luis charmed every woman at the club and I found a golf ball in front of my house...I'm 1/4 mile away from the CC. My boss later told me that he had a blast with Luis but that Luis told him his golf experience was at "Top Golf." He also hits a golf ball like a baseball. Yes, the process of getting host families is kind of loosy-goosy, at least in Pensacola. Housing falls in outside the responsibility of the affiliate and the local "team." Host Families help players have a place to call home and not worry about extra bills, leases and the like. I understand that some MLB orgs actually pay hotel rooms every night. One of the players we had in 2017, got traded to the Nationals and said that the Nationals paid for a hotel room every night. That sounds like HELL. One of my compadres in Dayton, OH (A-Dragons) told me that up there they have a waiting list to become a host family. I hope that's the case in Pensacola soon.

Thanks! I was able to meet Rusty Wells and Devin Smeltzer at the Twins Caravan that was held in Pensacola on Jan. 31. I also met Thad Levine, Jeremy Zoll, plus Ramon Borrego and Justin Willard. There were a few actual Minnesotans in the crowd as well, as we are sort of a snowbird destination here. Hard to believe because it's like 40° outside, but I guess there's no white frozen stuff. If any of you are headed to Pensacola this season for some baseball, please send me a message and my hubby and I will be happy to help you find your way around and show y'all some "locals" spots. I will be coming up north to Lake Geneva, WI...trying to figure out how to make the scooter rally we're attending include a baseball stop @Target Field...not sure about that one, yet.

Hi, well first ya'll should know is that I am totally new to the Twins! With the affiliate change this season, I've got a whole new set of rosters to learn. On that note, I also don't know if the other Twins affiliates located host families the way I do, but once the guys are placed in homes, I'm sure it's pretty much the same. In Pensacola...Summer is our high tourist season, so players are competing with condos on the beach which rent for crazy amounts, and every other guy and his dog putting their spare living spaces on Air BnB. That has made it a little harder than most areas to find player housing. The Blue Wahoos and myself put out social media asking for hosts. When folks say they want to host, I send them a brochure which lists most of the questions one might have. (I'll attach it here so everyone can see). Then I speak with them, check out their home, get photos and a short brief about the family. I also do a little checking out of the host family to make sure they are on the up and up. Pensacola is a small area and lots of people know each other. Once the person wants to host, I compile a Google Map with all of the host families locations/bios/photos included on the map. This helps me and others know what and where housing is available. ​ Near the end of Spring Training, I'll send the coaches a link to the map that they can forward to players, along with my phone number. As players are named to the roster, I ask them to text me the answers to several questions...mostly, if they will a car have a car here, if they want to room with another player, if they are allergic to pets. I reply to the player with the contact info of the host families I think will best suit their needs, or the places they have seen on the map. They contact the potential hosts directly. The host family can decide after speaking with the player if they think they're a good match. Most are. But the host family has the ultimate say-so on who comes into their home. In our area there are several free places, but most charge a fee of some sort, whether it's a utility fee or monthly room rental fee. There are a few players who want to be (and can afford) a place on their own and I usually have a few of those places as well. So the players hit town. If the player was staying at the team hotel after arrival, the host family can go there to meet or the player could come to their home on their own. The players begin practice the next day at the field, do some meet and greets, press ops, etc. then the games start. Can I be honest? I hardly see the players! We have usually 2 in an attic apt. and one in a bedroom downstairs. Their hours are such that I'm gone to work when they get up "at the crack of noon." I go to a ballgame, then come home and am usually asleep before they arrive. They eat and shower at the stadium for the most part. I see them on the weekends some—especially if a player asks me to help him with a Western Union, Bank or Walmart run. Weekends is when I get to see them cook too. They use our kitchen and I've learned to make a few DR and VZ recipes. I am able to make both the Dominican Arepa and The VZ Arepa, and they are very different! Some host families act more like "parents" to them, while others the guys are just renters. My hubby and I are more on the parent side. We've helped them with taxes, getting them rental cars, having their families to dinner, babysitting, sending care packages, etc. My husband has had to give the "dad" speech at times on personal responsibility, etc. We've become well-versed on Venezuelan politics and have packed mass care packages to send home with the players. Mostly it's pretty hum-drum...same day in and day out schedule when they are in town. In the past 3 seasons, we've hosted 15 players in our home and only one has been a real jerk. We had to tell him adios... He was with us for 2 days. Every now and then a host family will call and ask a question about something but normally everything is good. I do think that most folks would rather see their players more, but it's the nature of their schedules and the game. When players move to another team, they leave really fast...sometimes within hours. The worst is when a player gets send "down," cut or traded. It's pretty sad, and it happens more that we would like. Most of them know it's the nature of the beast. The best part is when you get a 1 a.m. phone call telling you he's made the Majors! We've enjoyed it all really. And I see just about every game! FREE! Please feel free to ask questions, and if you do live near any minor league team, consider hosting a player. You'll love it. Jami Here's a link to the brochure that potential host families can look at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h6XvwuB7HS-JMiAQftZH3WL2ZVxKDy4w/view?usp=sharing

Hey everyone, I am the volunteer coordinator for the Host Family program in Pensacola. Currently, we have more host families than we have ever had, which is great. But of course, we could always use more. If you live in Pensacola and would like info. on becoming a host family, please click on the link below and fill out your contact info: https://tinyurl.com/BW-Host-Family-Form When the rosters are closer to finalizing, players will contact me and I'll set them up with a place to live. Thanks a ton! My husband, Randy and I are really looking forward to a great season! WAHOOOOOO!!!! Jami Sanderson

Hey Everyone! I'm the volunteer Host Family coordinator for the Blue Wahoos. I can't wait for the season to begin. We're super excited to see the guys play this year because the team will be Numero Uno! Blue Wahoos stadium is beautiful, but what makes it really special are the management and staff of the stadium. Every time you go to a game, whether it's once or all of them, they make you feel welcome and fun. Yes, I am ready for the season to get going...a little hyped up I guess. When y'all come to see a game, ask for "Jami the Host Mom." I'm usually there, cheering on my boys. Here's a stadium pic...