By Jamie Rowe, Copy Editor
The Long Beach Armada is looking for local families with spare bedrooms to host its players during the team’s season. In exchange, each family member will receive tickets for the entire season.
“They just need a bedroom and bathroom,” said Ashley Koger, director of marketing. “They are on the road quite a bit and there is no need to be social director.”
She explained members of the team come from all over the county, particularly from the West Coast, and need somewhere to stay during the season so they can practice and travel with the team. She said having host families helps the players integrate into the community, helps cut costs and also helps develop more fans.
Players move in when spring training starts, around Tuesday, May 29. For those interested, training is at Long Beach City College’s Veteran’s Stadium, although, Koger said the facilities are small.
The team’s schedule has players home and away for various periods of time, according to Koger. While there are only 32 home games, the player’s room needs to be available until the last home game, Sunday, Aug. 19, against Yuma, Ariz. The first game of the season is Thursday, June 7 in St. George, Utah, while the first home game is Wednesday, June 13, against Yuma, Ariz. For more information, check out the team’s calendar on its Web site, www.longbeacharmada.com.
“We are looking forward to a great season,” Koger said. “And to getting more fans involved.”
For more information about the Host Family Program, contact the Armada’s office at (562) 434-7161. Visit the Web site or the office at 4700 Deukmejian Drive in Long Beach.
