A Season and Relationships Made Possible by Host Families

Host Family Celebration by Matthew Lewyn

BETHESDA, Md. — Much of the Big Train’s success comes from bringing talent to Bethesda from across the country.

This summer, with players and staff from as far as California, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana, it is crucial that the Big Train is able to make them feel at home with host families that support them during the season.

First baseman Emilio Gonzalez (Nova Southeastern University) and pitcher Kyzer Smith (Florida Atlantic University) have been staying together with the Ross family this summer. For Gonzalez, this is his third year with Andrew, Anna, Alex and Paula Ross, and has felt their relationship grow closer.

Before his first season with the Big Train in 2025, Gonzalez had the chance to meet with the Ross family during an away game in Greenville, North Carolina. 

“We went out to dinner and got to know each other,” Gonzalez said. “Then I stayed with them, had a great time, and this year it’s like family.”

Gonzalez and Smith have also been working on their skills off the field, like having a roommate.

“Kyzer’s [Smith] the man. I love him as a roommate,” Gonzalez said. “He’s clean and he takes me everywhere, he’s a good dude.”

Although this is Smith’s first season with the Big Train, he’s quickly felt the familial environment with his host family.

“The Ross family is amazing, they love talking the game with us or we chill in the living room [and] watch basketball or soccer,” Smith said. “Sometimes after games, they take us out to eat and I love that because hey, who doesn’t like free food?”

That familial connection extends to Alex Ross, a recent high school graduate who plans to play baseball in college.

“Alex, if you’re reading this, hit me up, we’ll help you out,” Smith said.

Gonzalez has also experienced a Ross family tradition — a seafood boil once a summer. The players will invite teammates over to talk, eat and watch sports.

“They said they do have a seafood boil coming up,” Smith said. “So I’ve got something to look forward to.”

Now, about two months into the season and with only three weeks remaining, Smith has only one thing to say about the Ross family.

“[New players], get with the Ross family, that’s all I’m gonna say. The Ross family is great,” Smith said. “I love those people, I’m definitely glad I came here.”

Bethesda Big Train First Baseman Emilio Gonzalez (46) and Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Kyzer Smith (38) and their host family, the Rosses, prior to the game against the Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Friday, July 10, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

Catcher TJ Gramesty (Florida Atlantic University) has also experienced a lot of firsts this season alongside the Camp family, who are hosting a Big Train player for the first time.

“They’re super sweet and nice,” Gramesty said. “This is the first year [the Camp family] has been hosting, and it’s been awesome.”

Gramesty has used the opportunity to connect with the Camp family to become a big brother, as Camp family includes two young sons.

“I grew up with a sister that was 18 months younger than me, so getting to have those younger brother feelings is wholesome,” Gramesty said. “ I get to hang out with them and play games with them, and they welcome me with open arms, like I’m part of the family now.”

Gramesty, a Boca Raton, Florida native, acknowledges that it’s difficult to be away from home, but still sees the host family program as a positive experience for prospective players.

“Being away from home stinks,” Gramesty said. “But you get to experience different parts of the country and it’s a really cool, unique experience for everyone.”

Bethesda Big Train Catcher T.J. Gramesty (1) and his host family, the Camps, prior to the game against the Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Friday, July 10, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

The host family program even extends beyond the Big Train players to the staff members.

Grace Adams, the Director of Data Analytics for the Big Train, is staying with Suzanne Tank, a host mom in her second year with the program. Adams, together with Assistant to the General Manager Lena Valenzuela, have stayed with Tank since May. They have had the chance to bond and live together as a family.

“Suzanne [Tank] is amazing, we birdwatch and craft together all the time,” Adams said. 

For Adams, the opportunity to have housing in the Bethesda area was one of the key reasons that she took a job with the Big Train.

“I applied for this job, and Sal [Colangelo] emails me back five minutes later and says ‘call me today’,” Adams said. “20 minutes into the interview, he asked me, ‘do you want the job?’ and I said, ‘I’ll call you back tomorrow.’ I called my parents and said, ‘So, I might be moving to Maryland for the summer.’”

Tank has helped Adams and Valenzuela develop their own daily routines, which include birdwatching at the breakfast table.

“I try to eat breakfast with her, we’ll sit at the kitchen table, even if she’s just answering emails and texts,” Adams said. “We’ve seen a lot of foxes, bunnies, squirrels, every bird imaginable, deer, a little bit of everything.”

Living with a host family also gives Adams, who attends NC State, the opportunity to keep up with her favorite sports teams, like the Carolina Hurricanes.

“I’m a huge hockey fan, and her family are huge hockey fans, so we watched the ‘Canes win the Stanley Cup Finals together,” Adams said. “That was really cool, it was the first time we all sat down and did something together to bond.” 

Bethesda Big Train Assistant to the General Manager Lena Valenzuela and Bethesda Big Train Director of Data Analytics Grace Adams with their host family, the Tanks, prior to the game against the Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Friday, July 10, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

Amy Matush has been hosting players since 2018 and is the host family coordinator for the Big Train. Her role involves working with Colangelo and the players when they sign contracts and place them with awaiting families.

This summer, she hosted infielder Brennon Wright (University of South Alabama).

“We’ve just had the best experience,” Matush said. “Brennon [Wright] is wonderful. He brings a fun energy to our house that we don’t normally have.”

Wright has spent the last two seasons in Bethesda. As a Starkville, Mississippi, native — a town around 880 miles from Shirley Povich Field — one of the key reasons that Wright returned to Bethesda was Matush and her family.

“I told Sal part of my deal of coming back was I had to stay with them again, so I’m glad to be back with them for year two,” Wright said. “They’ve been so great to me, taking care of me both summers.” 

Matush sees the benefits of hosting a player firsthand, especially with someone like Wright. 

“It’s fun to have him around, [he’s] giving my kids advice on baseball, just being fun and entertaining,” Matush said.

Wright tends to agree.

“I did a magic trick for them yesterday, so that was pretty fun,” Wright said. “I think they’re still kind of mind blown.”

On top of having fun, Matush also feels that having a collegiate athlete staying with her family gives her kids an opportunity to learn and grow, as players and as people.

“Having players who care about the game, their fitness levels and the level of respect they provide to their coaches and teammates,” Matush said. “It’s been a really good experience for [my kids] to see that and model that behavior.”

Wright knows the importance of the host family program, but sees the immense possibilities for the players — and families — that decide to participate. 

“It’s very special for guys coming from all over, and having these wonderful families open up their homes to strangers, then when they leave at the end of the summer, you’re family,” Wright said. “You’re building that relationship for not only that summer, but for the rest of your life.”

Bethesda Big Train Second Baseman Brennon Wright (27) and his host family, the Liebers, prior to the game against the Southern Maryland Senators at Shirley Povich Field on Friday, July 10, 2026 in Rockville, Maryland. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)

For families debating whether to try the program, Matush has four words.

“Give it a try.”

“I think anyone who has a fear of someone they don't know living in a house, or you know what that experience is going to be like, these are all kids,” Matush said. “They are all committed to baseball. They're all committed to doing their best.”

To host a family next season, fill out the interest form on the Big Train website.

“We're always looking for more host families,” Matush said.