Minor league baseball salaries certainly aren't like the big bucks major leaguers make. So players have to cut corners where they can. One of the ways the Timber Rattlers accomplish that, ends up benefitting all parties involved.
Luis Aviles spends most of his days at the ballpark. But before he reports to a game, he's at his home away from home, with the Blahniks.
"As soon as I came in, they had everything ready for me. The room was nice and clean and it had a little letter, like hey, welcome home," said Timber Rattlers shortstop, Luis Aviles.
Brian Blahnik, the head of the household explained, "It's more than just giving them a key and letting them into the house. It's really welcoming them into your family and taking care of them."
As a host family, they provide Luis with food, housing and a sense of belonging during the season.
"When we're opening up our homes to people, we're opening our hearts too and we treat them like they are a family member," said Tracy Blahnik.
"Even though they're not my family, I feel like they're part of my family now for everything they've done for me," added Aviles.
Aviles is half way across the country from his family in Miami. But here, he's cared for and supported, and even started some new traditions, like making a 'home run omelette' for Luis for breakfast.
"It happened that at the game I hit a home run that day. I wish I could eat omelettes every day," said Aviles.
"We were like, the omelette and they were like (thumbs up)," exclaimed Tracy Blahnik.
The Blahnik's have been opening up their home to TRats players for three years, and for only child Riker, he's thrilled to have a built in playmate.
"He's very nice and very generous. He cares about you," explained 8-year-old Riker.
"You can make a different to them and that can change their life and be like, hey, I want to be like that guy one day," added Aviles.
Host families provide a safe haven for their players, but they receive much in return, including an increased connection to the game.
"It really keeps you engaged in the games," explained Brian Blahnik.
Aviles added, "I've got to show them, let's do something good so they can have fun!"
28 players and coaches currently live with host families, and they do everything they can to make sure their TRats feel loved and supported.
"That's what I like about them, they always try to keep me positive," said Aviles.
"When you have a host brother, it's fun to cheer for them," added Riker Blahnik.
The Blahnik's also provide a respite from the pressures of trying to move up the MLB ladder.
"Luis and I just recently had a talk and I said, remember when you used to just have fun playing the game, I said you need to go back to that," said Tracy Blahnik.
"I hope I can stay in touch, I don't hope, I will stay in touch with them. When people do stuff like that, it's always going to stay with you," added Aviles.
By offering a little shelter along his journey, in return, lifelong friendships are created.
