EVERETT – It takes just seconds to discover how the Whitts feel about baseball.
From the doorway of their home, which is located just a few blocks east of Evergreen Way, one can see the Whitts’ unusual china cabinet. Instead of protecting spotless, seldom-used dinnerware, the cabinet displays signed baseballs, photos and years’ worth of ballpark memorabilia.
Take a quick glance at the backyard to find more conclusive evidence: the Whitts’ very own batting cage.
And then there’s the pile of 100-plus bats in one of the home’s three bedrooms.
“We’re a baseball family,” said Lisa Whitt, 41.
Over the last six years, the Whitts – Lisa, Mark, also 41, Matt, 16, and Max, 12 – have voluntarily housed 15 Everett AquaSox, including two this season. But the Whitts claim they aren’t doing anything special. In fact, they seem to feel a bit guilty about the whole thing.
The Whitts believe they’re the lucky ones. Each summer from June to early September, they get to immerse themselves in their favorite sport by cheering for and hanging out with professional ballplayers who come from all over the world.
For Matt and Max the experience means having, at least temporarily, some of the coolest big brothers in town. Matt plays high school baseball and Max competes in Little League.
“They can’t get enough baseball,” Mark Whitt said of his sons.
Over the years, AquaSox houseguests have taught baseball tips to the two youngsters and given them a chance to befriend their idols. Despite those perks, Matt and Max make quite a sacrifice – the brothers give up their bedrooms and crash on couches during the Northwest League season.
As for Lisa, she said cooking loads of extra food is no big deal, especially since the players rarely are picky eaters.
The Whitts can downplay their service all they want, but Greg Hunter, the Mariners’ director of minor league operations, said Everett host families are incredibly important. At Peoria in the Arizona Rookie League, which is one step below Everett, players stay in a dormitory and they have time to take care of basic needs.
However, upon being promoted to Everett the athletes have more responsibilities, and thus less time to worry about the details of daily life.
“It just makes it easier … so they can concentrate on baseball,” Hunter said. “It’s a real strong program, and they do a great job.”
Everett has more host families than any other Mariners affiliate. Marshall Hubbard, an AquaSox infielder, said he’s grateful he landed with the Whitts.
“It’s been great,” Hubbard said. “You can tell they are very nice and open people. You need that to be a host family. They’re a lot of fun. It’s easy to fit in.”
The Whitts provide more than just a welcoming atmosphere. They also give Hubbard a supportive boost on the field.
“They come to every game, they provide for us,” Hubbard said. “You can’t ask for much more than that.”
Everett outfielder Mike Wilson also lives with the Whitts. He described them as a down-to-earth family. He enjoys going to Max’s baseball games and pitching to both Whitt children and their friends in the family’s batting cage.
The hosting experience seems like the perfect match for players and family, but how long can the Whitts keep it up?
“As long as it stays fun,” Mark Whitt said. “We’ve been very, very lucky with all the players that have come here.”
And a handful of AquaSox have been fortunate to end up with the baseball-loving Whitts.
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