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The Uwharrie Wampus Cats are getting set for the second season playing at Albemarle’s Don Montgomery Park and are looking for locals to serve as host families as they complete their second roster.

Host families provide players with a place to stay for the two summer months they are playing in the Albemarle area. In return, host families receive season tickets for the whole family as well as a signed ball from all the players on this year’s team.

The Wampus Cats begin their season on May 23 and their home opener will be May 25. They’ll play 25 home games and could possibly host playoff games in addition now that they’ve joined the Southern Collegiate Baseball League. The team will release its full schedule later this month.

“We’re calling on local families again to help us provide housing for some of our players coming from out of town,” said Greg Sullivan, team president of the Wampus Cats. “Teams all around the country at the minor league and summer collegiate levels rely on host families to be able to field a team. It’s a great opportunity for community members to support a local organization and form what often becomes a lifelong bond with a player who may go on to play professionally. It’s a tremendous help for us as we’re working to complete a strong roster.”

All players will follow rules of the family’s household and can be a good fit for families with youth baseball or softball players who could use a mentor to look up to or for empty nesters with a spare room, Sullivan said.

Host families are not required to provide transportation or meals. “What we look for in terms of a host family is a place to sleep for the player, space in a refrigerator and access to a laundry machine,” Sullivan said.

Anyone in the area interested in potentially hosting a Wampus Cat this summer is encouraged to contact Greg Sullivan at greg@wampuscatsbaseball.com.