In the Alaska Baseball League, it’s a family affair

Every summer brings hungry players, coaches, and broadcasters to the Alaska Baseball League — hungry because they want to hone their skills, and hungry for calories after an honest day's work at the ballpark.

That wouldn't be as easy without families opening their homes. Host families help the league's nonprofit teams keep costs down by housing and feeding players and staff.

Hosts go through dozens of eggs and gallons of milk a week, but they say those costs are worth it to help a league that has developed hundreds of players who went on to play Major League Baseball.

Hosts like fifth-year Anchorage Glacier Pilots parent Carolyn Jones aren't fazed by inflated grocery or electric bills.

"I've always liked baseball as a child," Jones said. "I like engaging with these millennials. Everyone I've had has been a really nice young man, committed to getting better as a baseball player and willing to work hard at it."

The players become family for some host parents, said Christy McNeil, who houses a Chugiak Chinooks player and a broadcaster.

"We try to watch all their games," McNeil said. "We get nervous like their parents too."

Bonds are built and go beyond a two-month stay. Some families keep in touch with players long after the season ends. Some welcome a player's relatives into their home during the summer. And some develop relationships that are so strong they travel Outside to watch their former guests play college or minor-league baseball.

"I had a player three summers ago and his parents came up to visit and they were so thankful at my taking care of their son … that they invited me the next year to come down for the start of the season at (UC) San Diego," Jones said.

Some host families are able to pick players ahead of the season.

"Many of the summer parents like to look what schools they're from," said Kristen Dyson.

Dyson has been a Glacier Pilots host on and off since 2004, and she's the mother of former Pilots player and general manager Jon Dyson. This year she picked Kansas State's Will Brennan and Cam Thompson because her parents both went to K-State.

The average ABL host family houses two or three players, but the Maudsley family in Anchorage entertains two-thirds of a starting lineup. Michael Fuchs is one of six Bucs players staying at the Maudsley residence, joining the family of four. Five players stay in the spacious basement, while Andrew Kneussle sleeps in an upstairs room.

"Personally I don't mind, the more the merrier," Fuchs said. "… You're never alone and it's just a good bonding experience."

Feeding hungry athletes and washing dirty uniforms means higher grocery and electric bills. Some families say their costs at least double.

Dyson said she once had a player who drank a gallon of milk every two days.

"We thought it would be cheaper to just have purchased a cow," she said.

Jones recalled preparing a breakfast of five eggs, five pieces of bacon, hash browns and sliced strawberries for a player. He appeared to have two stomachs, she joked. And Chinooks parent Judy Upton says her two guests — one player, one coach — go through four dozen eggs a week.

"It's all about protein," she said.

Tim Maudsley said his family expects to spend $1,000 on players this summer. The costs are offset a bit by the Bucs and Pilots, who give each player $200 in Costco cards. Plus, some of the extra costs are tax deductible, Jones said.

Families that house Chinooks get a bit of a break because the team's booster club provides dinner for the team every day. One such meal occurred on Sunday evening at the Upton's Wasilla home.

"This year we (had 20 pounds of) meatloaf, baked potatoes, rhubarb crisps, chocolate cake, green beans and baked beans," Upton said.

Transportation to and from the ball park is covered by each team. The Bucs and Pilots lend players donated cars for the summer, while the Chinooks travel to all team functions by shuttle.

Amy Belmear and other Chinooks parents trust their players with vehicles. The Chinooks can explore Alaska this way.

Once players' time in the ABL ends, some are thoughtful to their hosts. Jones said former player Isaac Feldstein sent her a Mother's Day card.

"Having Isaac recognize me on Mother's Day really touched my heart," Jones said. "… For him to think about me 10 months later was really touching."

Some families like Jones's are initially a little apprehensive about hosting, but enjoy the experience.

"You know sometimes we tend to criticize the younger generation," she said. "I think what I've really learned and appreciated is that there are so many people in another generation that dream, want something badly, and are willing to work really, really hard for the chance to live the dream."