By Jim Lockwood
Staff Writer

Whenever the Babe Ruth Regional Baseball Tournament comes to Goffstown, the Egans graciously agree to host players from one of New England's state championship teams. Playing Tripoli, a family favorite, from left are Reece Egan, Patty Egan, Michelle Egan and '03 guest Kevin Simone, who returned recently to visit. (Jim Lockwood Photo)

GOFFSTOWN – Two years ago, Patty and Rob Egan of Goffstown took two Connecticut teenagers into their home as a favor for a friend.

The experience was somewhat awkward at first; the boys were admittedly nervous about spending close to a week in an unfamiliar home with people they never met before.

But when the 2003 15-year-old Babe Ruth Regional Baseball Tournament ended, the Egans were sad to see their guests go home.

This year, Goffstown will be hosting the 13-year-old Babe Ruth Regional Tournament. And again, the Egans will welcome two to four players from one of New England's other state championship teams.

The tournament begins Saturday, Aug. 6, at Allard Park.

Babe Ruth rules stipulate that visiting players must stay with host families because the organization wants its players to become part of the community.

The athletes know they're representing their families, team and state, understanding if they're disrespectful, they can be sent home.

In turn, host families are expected to treat the athletes like their own children.

This year, the Egans will be one of about 50 families hosting players from around New England.
Two years ago, they didn't have a child on the team. This summer, the same holds true.

Like all families who host, the Egans have no idea which players will enter their home. It's one big mystery until families meet their guests at a reception at Saint Anselm College the day before the tournament starts.

"Friends of ours asked us out of desperation. We said yes cautiously," said Patty Egan, referring to the '03 experience. "We didn't know them and what type of kids they were going to be. We wanted everyone to get along with each other."

Still, Patty said she knew everything would go fine when she met the parents that day. Right away, she knew the players' parents cared.

The entire experience proved Patty's initial thoughts were correct. The players became a part of the family and joined in an Egan family tradition – playing Tripoli.

Tripoli, a poker-style board and card game, is a family favorite in the Egan home.

"They didn't really want to play, but once they did play they thought it was cool," Rob Egan said.

On the first night of the stay, Rob and Patty's oldest daughter, Michelle, stayed up late, played basketball and chatted with her new friends even though she had to wake up early the next morning.

Last year, the Egans' guests attended Michelle's high school graduation.

Despite all the fun off the baseball field, most of the Egans' time was spent driving their guests to games and practices.

According to Natalie Sennett, who coordinated the program for Goffstown two years ago and is doing it again this year, families who participate once agree to host again.

"I felt like it was hard to have them leave," Patty recalled when her guests returned to their actual families. "It was nice having a few extra kids here."