Even the most devoted baseball fans rarely think about where their favorite players live while chasing wins across a long season. But one of our clients, an operations director for a pro baseball organization, had to.
As an operations point man, he’s responsible for much more than what happens on the field. And thanks to a sweeping new policy, he’s also responsible for making sure hundreds of ball players and staff have a safe, comfortable place to call home—no matter where the road takes them.
That’s where National comes in. By partnering with National, our client and other operational leaders for pro organizations can sleep easier knowing their players are housed in secure, convenient, fully furnished accommodations—from the season’s first pitch to its final out.
The challenge: Managing 175 moving targets
In 2021, a new policy required teams, beginning in 2022, to provide paid, furnished housing for nearly all players at every level. Overnight, operations executives inherited a staggering new responsibility.
For our client alone, that meant housing roughly 175 players across five affiliate locations. League-wide, more than 1,000 players and staff now fall under the policy each season.
“Before this, players were on their own,” said Daniella Cerulli, who leads National’s six-person account team for the client. “Team operations departments weren’t involved, and most had no familiarity with corporate housing providers. Many teams initially assumed they’d have to manage everything themselves.”
At first, the operations director thought he was on his own. “I started looking into costs, what would the average rents be in the five cities where we have affiliates. I compared low, medium, and high tiers, and different sizes of units. Then I realized that was just the beginning. Furniture rentals. Utilities. Pots and pans. Artwork. Cleaning services. Multiply that by five locations, with constant player movement—and it became overwhelming very quickly.” After just a few hours of research, the reality set in. “One person can’t do this,” he said. “Not on top of their regular responsibilities.”
He considered three options: hire a full-time housing coordinator, delegate pieces of the work to staff at each affiliate, or partner with a corporate housing provider. Given the constant churn of player assignments and relocations, an in-house solution simply wasn’t feasible.
Choosing a Corporate Housing Partner
He interviewed three corporate housing companies. The first two left him underwhelmed. So he kept looking—and found National.
“There were a few things that stood out right away,” he said. “First, I was impressed with how responsive and communicative they were, unlike others. They also struck me as significantly more organized in how they invoiced and reported account information. Third, no one else offered the level of Spanish language support that National does with its 24-hour bilingual help desk. And importantly, they were the only one with a national footprint.”
Now heading into the team’s fourth season with National, our client doesn’t hesitate.
“I’m very glad we found National,” he said. “Very.”
Temporary Housing Priorities
Working closely with the team, National’s account team focused on two non-negotiable priorities:
Proximity to the Ballpark
Walkability mattered. Properties needed to be close to ballparks and everyday essentials like grocery stores, restaurants, and ATMs. “Not every player has a car,” the director explained. “If they can’t walk, then we have to provide transportation—which adds cost.”
New, Attractive, and Safe Properties
The team wanted housing that balanced quality, safety, comfort, and budget—while keeping teammates (and often their families) together. “It was important that players felt settled and connected off the field, not just on it,” Cerulli said. “They needed enough space to live comfortably and still maintain a sense of team.”
How National Delivered
National’s nationwide reach, deep partner network, and service-first mindset proved to be the difference.
National’s Boots on the Ground—Everywhere
With offices in 27 U.S. cities, National offers something few competitors can: true local expertise, coast to coast. “Some providers are strong in one region,” said our client. “We needed someone who could follow us anywhere. Teams move—it’s just part of baseball. Knowing National already has relationships wherever we go gives us real confidence.”
That reach came into play again in 2025, when the organization relocated their Double-A affiliate from Pearl, Mississippi, to Columbus, Georgia. “Sometimes teams move entire affiliates,” account manager Cerulli noted. “The good news for our clients is that we’re already there—or can be quickly. we can have a local person within 10 minutes to two hours of every major league affiliate ballpark. There is no other corporate housing provider with our extensive reach.” National’s portfolio of four- and five-star furnished accommodations—near public transportation and daily necessities—checked every box for quality, safety, convenience, and cost.
Exceptional Customer Service, Around the Clock
Like every pro ball organization, National takes its MVPs seriously. Those “Mission, Vision, and Guiding Principles” drive the corporate housing leader’s approach to every account, and none more so than an organization where strong performance day in and day out is fundamental to success.
“We’re in the business of creating exceptional experiences,” Cerulli said. “That means delivering surprisingly superior service—every time.”
As the single point of contact for the team, National has become family, and acts as a true extension of the organization. “We’re their in-house corporate housing team, without being in-house,” Cerulli said. “That responsibility matters to us.” It also means adapting to baseball’s unpredictable schedule. “Changes happen late at night—after games,” she explained. “Injuries, promotions, reassignments. That’s when our phone rings.”
Player movement is constant. National manages move-outs, arrivals, and on-the-ground coordination—freeing managers from the logistical scramble. The team holds weekly check-ins with operations and serves as the single point of contact for all 175 players across five locations. “Yes, that includes clogged toilets at 2 a.m.,” Cerulli laughed. “We’re here 24/7. Baseball isn’t a nine-to-five business, and neither are we.”
Adapting to Baseball’s Global Roster
Many professional players are drafted internationally, making bilingual support critical. In 2024 alone, 24 signees came from Spanish-speaking countries, according to Spotrac. That year, the team invested nearly $5.7 million in signing bonuses for Spanish-speaking players. “When it’s 2 a.m. and the A/C is out, players just want to communicate clearly,” our client told us. “National’s 24-hour Spanish-speaking help desk is a huge asset.” National also provides in-apartment materials in both English and Spanish, ensuring every player understands their home and community—regardless of language preference.
A Winning Game Plan
In baseball, success comes down to preparation, execution, and the right team. By delivering nationwide coverage, local expertise, and truly personal service, National has helped the team conquer one of the most complex off-field challenges in professional sports: housing hundreds of players in constant motion. That’s a win for the organization, a win for the players—and a home run for everyone involved.
Housing That Performs on Game Day
From spring training to the final road trip, National Corporate Housing handles player and staff housing end to end—so your organization can stay focused on performance, not logistics.
Ready to start building a better housing program? Speak with a corporate housing expert today.