Caleb Durbin Host family reflects the time with dock spiders

Milwaukee – For some baseball players, the process to make it to the majors can take a village. Milwaukee Brewers who climbed the young Star Caleb Durbin said that his host family in college had played an important role in his success. He was traded on the Brewers before the season and is now the first third Baseman of a competing team during his rookie season.

Renee Nolan is not a beginner when it comes to organizing ball players. Since 2019, she and your family have been a second home for many players who have come through Fond du LAC. The Dock spiders are part of the Northwoods League, a summer college League for baseball players who stay sharp and gain experience.

Renee and her husband Mike had much more time in their hands after their children had gone on the college, which is why they originally become a host family.

“The hosting experience is so rewarding. If someone has the opportunity to organize either the Dock spiders or one of the Northwood League teams, I would definitely recommend it,” said Renee Nolan. “If you have an empty bedroom and are ready to see a future big Leaguer and to help you grow, it is worth it.”

The former Infieldder Caleb Durbin des Dockpinnen was in the Nolan living room when he was drafted into the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves. Durbin said, although he didn't have his true family nearby for the moment, it meant a lot to have his host family there.

“Somehow I liked to have them there and to be able to share this moment with them was super cool because they are also a large part of this trip,” said Durbin. “If I can crash in your place for the summer, it is really cool to share this moment with you.”

Renee Nolan said Durbin was a great tenant who was an even better person. She said if he was in the field or at home, he always worked hard and it was fun to be nearby. She said that it was an indescribable feeling of being there to see how he makes his dreams come true. None of them would have believed that Durbin would play for the hometown team in Milwaukee during the time he spent in Fond du Lac.

“When he grows through the little leagues when he was with the braves to the Yankees, and now the brewers were the journey,” said Renee Nolan. “We are so proud of him and how hard he worked and it paid off.”

Durbin said there are things he misses on his host family, like Renee Nolan's famous banana bread. He said his path to the brewers was wild, but he wouldn't change it for the world.

“Now I live my dream and play in the bigs in Milwaukee,” said Durbin. “It is difficult to put into words … As it turns out, it is not really to be expected that it plays out, but it was a really cool journey and I look forward to being in Milwaukee.”