The Sunnyvale Sun

Sports

San Jose Giants are seeking host families to take in players in '08

By Dick Sparrer

Playing professional baseball may seem like a glamorous life, and in many ways it is.

But for those playing minor league baseball, being assigned to a team in a city far away from home may mark that player's first life experience on the road. And while things may be pretty glamorous playing under the bright lights on game night, the rest of the time may lead to some lonely hours.

That's where Linda Pereira comes in.

Pereira is the director of player relations for the San Jose Giants, the local Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and one her many duties with the club is to locate host families for players.

Many of the players--most of them in their late teens and early 20s--find themselves away from home for the first time, so Pereira and the Giants reach out to local families to take in the players each year.

The search is currently on for host families for the 2008 season that runs April 1 through Sept. 10. Host families provide a player with a room, and the Giants provide families with season tickets and parking passes for all of the club's games at San Jose Municipal Stadium. The team also hosts picnics for the families and other events, which this year will include a trip to Fresno to see the Triple A Grizzlies play. Many of the Grizzlies are former San Jose Giants.

"It's just a great experience," Pereira says of the host family program. "And when the players get to the big leagues, they're just right up the street [at AT&T Park in San Francisco]."

Pereira says that placing players with local families is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

"I try to match the right players with the right families, and I'm proud of my record," she said in a 2006 interview. "It's incredible ... the players become part of the families, and the families come to the games and live and die with their players."

For more information on the host family program, call Pereira at 408.297.1435, ext. 19.

Giants jobs

Looking for a job in professional baseball? Well, the San Jose Giants may not want you to play third base, but they do have some opportunities for those looking for seasonal work at the ballpark.

The Giants will host their annual job fair on March 8, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at San Jose Municipal Stadium, 588 E Alma Ave. Those interested in part-time, seasonal positions on the team's game-day staff should visit the job fair to complete an application and for an interview.

Positions available include batboy, camera operator, concessions staff, fun zone attendant, parking attendant, program and scorecard vendor, ticket taker, Turkey Mike's BBQ staff and usher.

All applicants must be a minimum of 16 years of age, with the exception of those applying for the batboy position where the minimum age requirement is 14. Employees will work a variety of events at Municipal Stadium, including San Jose Giants home games and special events from April through September.

Applications are available online at www.sjgiants.com. For additional information, contact the San Jose Giants at 408.297.1435, ext. 45, or info@sjgiants.com.

Giants opener

The Giants, California League champions in 2007, will begin their season on April 3 in Bakersfield and will open their home season on April 10 against the Blaze. The 7 p.m. opening night game will feature a 2008 magnet schedule giveaway and a post-game fireworks display.

For ticket information, visit www.sjgiants.com.