The Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League seeks families who are interested in opening their doors–and their arms.
The league is in the recruitment stages in gathering families in the area who will serve as hosts to out-of-state players who will play this summer in local fields and parks.
Now in its 18th season, the ABCCL is an amateur baseball league that attracts collegiate players from all parts of the country to play in a traditional wood bat league. The league is headquartered in Middletown.
The not-for-profit league also has admitted student-athletes from Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan and Venezuela, according to ABCCL founder Monique Koehler.
“We stress development and work closely with college programs to ensure that serious college baseball players have the opportunity to compete at a high level, enhance their skills and achieve their maximum baseball potential,” ABCCL President Jay Blackwell said.
The league originated, Koehler said, so collegiate players could benefit from the same opportunities that were presented to children on youth teams. Children had leagues set in place that readily encouraged developmental growth as ball players, she said.
The ABCCL was designed so student-athletes between the ages of 18 and 22 could continue to hone their skills, Koehler said.
Players sharpen their experience by playing in a league that uses just wooden bats as they pursue their dreams of playing professional baseball.
While players can swing aluminum bats during their collegiate seasons, Major League Baseball is played with only wooden bats.
The 2018 ABCCL teams are located in Monmouth, Middlesex, Union, Ocean, Somerset and Morris counties, Koehler said.
Some of the local fields that the league plays games at are St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel; the North Brunswick Community Park; Holmdel High School and Michael Tighe Park in Freehold.
“Our program is designed to stress individual development and teamwork in all phases of the game. We work closely with college programs to ensure that serious student-athletes have the opportunity to enhance their skills and achieve their maximum baseball potential while interacting with fellow players of different geographic, cultural and social backgrounds,” Koehler said.
Ivette Fernicola, a veteran host mother from Holmdel, has taken in ball players for six years. She said the experience was so rewarding, she began to take in two players at one time.
“The funny thing about the first time we hosted, I never really even thought about it. A woman from my hometown contacted me and asked if we could help Monique out. I had never met Monique before. I didn’t even know there was a college baseball league in my town. But when asked, my husband and I jumped right in,” Fernicola said.
The first player who Fernicola opened her home to was Brian Benes from Omaha, Nebraska. She said her initial concern was reassuring Benes’ mother her son would be taken care of.
“This was the height of the ‘Jersey Shore’ era. All I kept thinking was his mom must be worried sick that her son was going to New Jersey. I reassured her that New Jersey is nothing like the image she has and that the actors on ‘Jersey Shore’ were not from New Jersey,” Fernicola said.
Fernicola said the bond she formed with Benes remains unmatched.
“I truly gained another son. I joke that he’s my favorite son. The truth is, I love him as if he were mine. I’m his Jersey mom. Not only did Brian become such a huge part of my life, but his whole family is like family to me … that’s what I gained – an extended family,” Fernicola said.
“In our home, the boys became a part of our family. They were included in everything we did. Some were more open to this and others kept a bit more to themselves. They were all incredibly respectful, great with my sons and I believe they enjoyed their stay,” Fernicola continued.
Koehler said the league is seeking families who have an interest in hosting one or more out-of-state baseball players. Families may qualify for a tax deduction if they claim hosting services toward individual living expenses. Host families are responsible for housing players from May to August, Koehler said.
Koehler said players will be responsible for their own transportation to and from baseball games. Host families will need to provide players with a place to sleep, access to a bathroom and a washing machine. Players will do their own laundry. Players will miss several family meals, although an invitation is welcome, Koehler said.
Koehler said players arrive prepared – with an ardent drive to volunteer their time. She said players will help with household chores and assist in coaching youth teams when their schedules permit.
The 2018 ABCCL season is scheduled to begin at the end of the month. Koehler said host families are needed throughout the state.
“Becoming a host family means that you will be both the provider and recipient of a great experience. As this need becomes more widely known, we hope potential host families will give this option serious consideration. The costs and inconvenience are negligible. The rewards of friendship, understanding and building lasting relationships are priceless,” Koehler said.
Families interested in hosting should contact Koehler directly at monique@abccl.com.
