Long before David Peralta was a veteran outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he was an 18-year-old kid from Venezuela who didn’t speak much English playing minor league baseball in Johnson City, Tennessee.
To call it culture shock would be quite the understatement.
“Even little things, like going to the grocery store, were a challenge,” Peralta said. “That’s why it was so great to have TeriAnn helping.”
TeriAnn Reynolds and her family were part of a little-known but vital piece of baseball’s minor leagues that dates back decades: host families. Players at the lower levels of the minor leagues in places like Johnson City or Lake Elsinore, California, often stayed at the homes of local families instead of apartments or hotels — a way to save money for low-wage players as they transitioned into their lives as pro athletes.
Host family programs were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic over health concerns. Now, they may never return. When minor league players unionized and reached a historic initial collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball in March, the league agreed to double salaries and provide guaranteed housing to most players.
The use of host families was officially outlawed.
“While players are sincerely appreciative of the many fans who hosted players in their homes, they’re excited this spring about the first minor league CBA, including salary and housing policy improvements that made the practice unnecessary,” the MLBPA said in a statement.
It’s true that the changes — particularly when it comes to salary — are widely considered positive among players. Many acknowledge that individual living arrangements are also a step in the right direction, particularly for players with spouses and children. The new arrangements are generally viewed as more professional.
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To call it culture shock would be quite the understatement.
“Even little things, like going to the grocery store, were a challenge,” Peralta said. “That’s why it was so great to have TeriAnn helping.”
TeriAnn Reynolds and her family were part of a little-known but vital piece of baseball’s minor leagues that dates back decades: host families. Players at the lower levels of the minor leagues in places like Johnson City or Lake Elsinore, California, often stayed at the homes of local families instead of apartments or hotels — a way to save money for low-wage players as they transitioned into their lives as pro athletes.
Host family programs were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic over health concerns. Now, they may never return. When minor league players unionized and reached a historic initial collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball in March, the league agreed to double salaries and provide guaranteed housing to most players.
The use of host families was officially outlawed.
“While players are sincerely appreciative of the many fans who hosted players in their homes, they’re excited this spring about the first minor league CBA, including salary and housing policy improvements that made the practice unnecessary,” the MLBPA said in a statement.
It’s true that the changes — particularly when it comes to salary — are widely considered positive among players. Many acknowledge that individual living arrangements are also a step in the right direction, particularly for players with spouses and children. The new arrangements are generally viewed as more professional.
Minor-league host families, once a pillar of pro baseball, are now phased out by the new CBA
After decades of supporting young baseball players as they began their professional careers, minor league host families have officially been phased out. Many players are sorry to see host the program end — and so are the families.
