Windy City Thunderbolts Recruit Host Families for Players

Minor league baseball team relies on local families to house players during the season

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:03am

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The Windy City Thunderbolts, a minor league baseball team based in Crestwood, Illinois, is looking for host families to open their homes to players during the upcoming season. The team typically has 25 players on its roster and hopes to find homes for 15 of them, with the rest staying in a player apartment or living locally. Host families provide players with a private bedroom and space to store belongings, and in return receive perks like free season tickets and discounts. The host family program has been running since the team's inception in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and the team works to match players with suitable host families based on a questionnaire.

Why it matters

The host family program is an integral part of the Windy City Thunderbolts' operations, as it allows the team to provide affordable housing options for players who may not be able to afford rent on their own. It also creates a sense of community and support for the players, who can feel at home with their host families during the long baseball season. The program has been successful in helping the team attract and retain talent, and has formed lasting bonds between players and their host families.

The details

The Thunderbolts' director of community relations, Johnny Sole, oversees the host family program. He works with manager Tom Carcione and general manager Mike VerSchave to match players with suitable host families based on a questionnaire that covers the home's layout, family makeup, and any pets. The only requirement for host families is that they provide the player with a private bedroom and some storage space. Some families also choose to share meals with the players. In return, host families receive perks like free season tickets, discounts at the team store, and free food and non-alcoholic beverages.

  • The first home game of the Windy City Thunderbolts' season is on May 7, 2026.
  • The last regular season game is on September 6, 2026.
  • Players typically arrive in late April to begin the season.

The players

Johnny Sole

The director of community relations for the Windy City Thunderbolts, who oversees the team's host family program.

Tom Carcione

The manager of the Windy City Thunderbolts.

Mike VerSchave

The general manager of the Windy City Thunderbolts.

Jen Kotel

A host family who has welcomed Windy City Thunderbolts players into her home in Alsip, Illinois since 2019.

Carsen Plumadore

A pitcher for the Windy City Thunderbolts who has stayed with the Kotel family for a second consecutive season.

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What they’re saying

“It's an amazing experience. If it were up to me and we had more room at our house, I would host as many players as I could.”

— Jen Kotel, Host family

“They are just so hospitable. I honestly never expected them to grab me food and things like that. They made me feel at home. I would do things with Max on my off days. Obviously, my wife would be there with me (sometimes) and they were cool about that.”

— Carsen Plumadore, Windy City Thunderbolts pitcher

“You develop a bond with the player trying to achieve their dream. You're able to have them be part of your family for that amount of time, and the bond continues even after the season.”

— Johnny Sole, Director of community relations, Windy City Thunderbolts

What’s next

The Windy City Thunderbolts are actively recruiting host families for the upcoming 2026 season. Interested families can apply on the team's website, reach out to Johnny Sole via email, or call the team's office.

The takeaway

The Windy City Thunderbolts' host family program is a vital part of supporting minor league baseball players and creating a sense of community around the team. By opening their homes to players, local families are helping these athletes chase their dreams while also forming meaningful connections that can last long after the season ends.