Two years ago, Slippery Rock residents Craig and Jan Lawson opened their doors to a member of the Slippery Rock Sliders.

With another Slippery Rock Sliders team back this year after a one-year absence, the couple decided to be a host family again.

"I happened to be at a local meeting a couple years ago and knew the Sliders were coming," said Jan Lawson. "The Sliders were looking for host families and we have a guest house on the property. I talked to my husband about it.

"We were approved. We thought it would be fun. We're sports fans in general and baseball in the summer is something we love," she added.

Apparently, it was fun enough to do it again, this time playing host to Sliders manager Chase Rowe.

"We had met (former Sliders manager) Greg Jelks and thought it would be so nice if we had the coach live here," said Lawson. "So, when the opportunity came up, we talked to Laura and Mike Bencic to see if the coach needed a place to stay.

"They said, 'Yeah, that would be good. Greg (Lasinski, the player the Lawsons hosted) brought to our house a nice, athletic player," she added.

The benefits of being a host far outweigh any negatives that come along, Lawson noted.

"It's been a good experience," said Lawson. "We have no children and it's nice to have some young players here. The benefit is a season ticket pass that lets us go to any game we want. They really didn't have to do it.

"We can do as much as we can or as little as we want. You can buy them groceries. We give them a nice clean place to stay," Jan added.

The application form on the Sliders' Website states that host families receive two season tickets for all home games, free parking, an autographed team photo and field recognition at the team's final home game.

First-time family

Kevin and Daneen O'Donnell of Meridian had heard about being host families from difference sources, oddly enough, on the same day.

"There was some small talk at work about the Butler BlueSox and I asked where the players stayed," said Daneen. "I thought it would be kind of cool. Our kids are in that college, high school age.

"I don't know how my husband found out about it, but he came home the same day and we talked about it. We seemed to be on the same page about it," Daneen added.

The O'Donnells decided to bring two players into their home to put the players at ease.

"I thought it would be nicer for them. To have two guys around would be a little less awkward," said Daneen. "We redid the basement with a full bath and refrigerator. There's some floor space so they'll have their own area."

The O'Donnells were expected to get player assignments Monday.

The O'Donnell's have three children: Monica, a sophomore at Penn State and an intern with the team; Landon, a senior at Butler and Bryan, an eighth grader at Butler Junior High.

"Neither of our boys have played baseball past Little League," said Daneen. "They're more into football and lacrosse."

The O'Donnell's have been trying to spread the word about hosting with friends and family.

"Kevin's brother, Bill, is looking into hosting as well," said Daneen. "We talked to some neighbors about it and for some, that might not work out for them right now."

The Sliders and BlueSox needed to find housing for 15 and 14 players, respectively, before the start of the season. Both owners figure they need about two to three more families.

Slippery Rock does have a Plan B if the team falls short on delivering a host family

"One of the benefits is, if we had to, we have college housing," said Bencic. "We're not as strapped as Butler might be."

"The families really enjoy it," said Trich, "They get to see the ups and downs that come with the baseball season. The players do spend half of the time on the road."

Those interested in becoming a host family for the Sliders can contact Laura Bencic at 724-333-0750 or Trich at 724-263-9874 for the Blue Sox.