A Tyrone couple, Linda and Larry Strong, will once again play host to a number of Altoona Curve baseball players during the 2004 season.
The pair have been involved with the host program since the 2000 season according to Mr. Strong.
Recently, Larry spoke with The Daily Herald on the matter.
“When the curve first started out in 1999 we attended the games and looked into it,” he said.
“The next year, we were approached and asked if we wanted to become involved.
“We’ve hosted as few as one and as many as five players at the same time,” said Strong. “This has been a real pleasurable experience for us. It’s a chance for us to get to know the boys and get an inside look into what minor league baseball is all about.
“For example, we’ll get to find out about a player move a little sooner than most folks when one of the guys will come in after the game and mention a player’s been called up to Nashville (The Pirates’ Triple A team).
“Last year, we hosted five players at one point,” said Strong. “One of the guys got called up to Nashville at the end of the year so we had only four. That is how many we are hosting this year.”
The couple will host Chris Snusz, catcher from New York; Ray Navarrette, infielder also of New York; Chris Duffy, centerfielder from Arizona and Nate McClouth, outfielder from Michigan.
The Reservoir Drive couple has hosted more than a dozen players overall including this year’s players, they are: Humberto Cota, catcher of Mexico; Luis Lorenzana, infielder from California; Luis Figueroa, infielder from Puerto Rico; Mike Ayers, pitcher from Ohio; Michael Gonzalez, pitcher from Texas; Roberto Manzueta, pitcher from Puerto Rico; Mike Chaney, pitcher from Ohio; Jose Lopez, pitcher from Texas, Joe Caruso, infielder from Lock Haven and Mike Connolly, pitcher of New York.
Not only are the Strongs a host family, but they are also big Curve supporters.
“We have probably only missed five or six games since we started going to the games when the team came to Altoona,” said Strong. “My wife is a big collector of Curve memorabilia. She also takes a lot of pictures (of the players) and sends some of those to their families.
“We have also had the chance to meet some of the families and travel to some of the road games,” said Strong.
“The players are occasionally able to return the favor by providing us with tickets or taking us out for a meal.
“We’re retired now and we have been able to travel to Brandenton the last three years and watch the team at Pirate City and also see some Pirate games at McKechnie Field,” said Strong.
Strong explained the reason he and his wife are such big fans and interested in helping the Curve players.
“I was a baseball coach and my son also played the game,” said Strong. “This really helps the boys out and we sure do gain a lot from it.”
Mrs. Strong recently decorated the windows at Columbia Ancillary Services at 1057 Pennsylvania Avenue with Curve memorabilia including pictures of the players the Strongs have hosted over the years.
Mr. Strong said he and his wife were planning to attend last night’s fanfest and will be in their regular seats for tonight’s home opener at Blair County Ballpark.
