By: Frankie Benvenuti

It’s indisputable that billets are the heart and soul of any Frontier League ball club. 

In preparation for their second season, the Ottawa Titans have begun a search for people who are willing to open their doors, and add a new member to their family. It’s certainly a big step to take, but as many former and current billet families will tell you, it can be one of the most rewarding decisions you can make. 

The process is handled by Titans’ Assistant General Manager, Sebastien Boucher, who built up a legacy of his own on the field throughout a lengthy professional career. What he’s looking for isn’t overly complicated, either. Essentially, if you have an extra room available in the house, you’re partway there. 

“The target really is a retired family, or a family with younger children,” said Boucher. “Young families are always good, because the players love interacting with the kids. Ideally, you’d also love baseball.” 

Still, there are so many other elements to consider. Boucher says that the most frequently asked questions from prospective families regarding their responsibilities to the players are financial. What do they have to account for, and what does the club cover? 

If you boil everything down, billeting a player can mean as little as having a roommate that doesn’t pay rent. 

“We don’t expect the families to provide anything to the players,” Boucher explained. “They are adults, and they are independent on their own. It’s pretty much like having a roommate that you don’t have to take care of.” 

The furry, four-legged members of your family don’t exclude you from hosting, either. Boucher says that over half of the billet families from last season had dogs, but cats, fish, snakes, and whatever other animals you may have typically aren’t an issue. 

In the cases where a player may be allergic or afraid of animals, Boucher will pair them in a household that can accommodate their needs. He’s looking to make sure his players have a happy and healthy handful of months, but he’s also protective of his billets, working to make sure the situation works for both parties. 

One example of that can be language barriers. Last season, the Titans had players from all over the world. Some came from Japan, some from Venezuela or Panama, and occasionally, they are only at the start of their journey to learn English. 

By and large, families have been welcoming of foreign players, and have even helped them learn the language over time, but if it happens to be a deal-breaker, the Titans will ensure a family isn’t paired with a player who isn’t yet comfortable with English or French, depending on their preference. 

“A lot of people even took Spanish in high school, and see it as an opportunity to brush up on their knowledge,” Boucher said with a laugh. “But if it is an issue for a particular family, we won’t pair them up.” 

Distance from the ballpark also won’t exclude you from billeting, Boucher says. 

“The players we tend to put with a host family have a car. We do have families that are close to the ballpark, but [they don’t have to be]. The whole range of the city is in play.” 

In the early 2000s, Boucher himself was part of a billet family during his first professional season with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. His experience highlights why it is important for him today to ensure his players’ comfort, and just how great the experience can be for both parties. 

“The beauty of having a billet family is that they can be there for you just to take your mind off of baseball,” Boucher said. “They make you a part of the family at the same time. As a player, you don’t expect the family to feed you, but they always do, they want to have you for dinner, and they want you to bring teammates. It gives you a sense of security in a lonely season.” 

Families who become billets also get a slew of perks, including the ability to come to all home games for free. They can also take advantage of a season ticket holder discount, and are invited to attend all team events. 

With the season quickly approaching, players will soon start arriving in Ottawa, and eager to meet their new families. If you’re interested in hosting a player, follow this link, and contact the Titans.