As Troy Parks and Recreation staff members are busy traveling from town to town following this year’s tournament teams, the department is also seeking families in the community to serve as hosts for incoming teams during the Dixie Ponytails State Tournament and the Dixie Angels World Series.

Troy will host both tournaments this summer beginning with the Ponytails State on July 13 followed by the Angels on World Series on July 27.

“One of the requirements to hosting a state tournament or World Series is that you must provide a host family for each team,” Troy Park and Recreation Director Dan Smith said. “It’s a way that we can put our best foot forward and show our hospitality that Troy is famous for.”

A host family or representative of the host family serves as a local contact for their assigned visiting team. Hosts provide guidance and knowledge of the Troy area to the teams and their families.

“Host families serve as a connection to the community,” Smith said. “If teams have questions about the area – an eye doctor, pharmacy, movie theatre, a host family can make the visit to Troy much more convenient.”

Host families are expected to assist team with the check-in process at the hotel, attend opening ceremonies, as well as the games in which the assigned team is participating.

Troy Parks and Recreation is looking for 19 host families for the Dixie Ponytails State Tournament and 11 for the Dixie Angels World Series.

“It is a very, very enjoyable and rewarding experience,” Smith said. “We actually have a family that has volunteered to be a host for both the State and World Series. It is a lot of fun.”

There is no financial obligation on the part of the host family, though Smith said some go above and beyond the requirements.

“Some families bring cupcakes or snacks after their team’s games,” he said. “It’s up the host family.”

Both tournaments will take place at the Troy Sportsplex. For more information or to volunteer to become a host or host family, contact Dan Smith at 334-268-0238.