Schaumburg Boomers on quest for second straight title

Schaumburg Boomers manager Jamie Bennett is looking to continue the string of success his team has enjoyed in the Frontier League since starting operations in 2012.

Bennett has been the Boomers manager since day one of the franchise and he has led the team to three league championships in 2013, 2014, and last year.

But Bennett, who has twice been named manager of the year (2013 and 2017) realizes that you never can tell how a season will go until the team gets out between the lines.

"So far we look very good," Bennett said before the team opened its season on the road. "It's been a very competitive camp, even tougher than usual, but you never really know what that means. But we've a lot of guys competing."

"It's a long process after one season is over, trying to get the club ready for next year. Sometimes you think you know (how good you can be) but you never really do until you get out on the field and start playing."

The Boomers, who began their quest for a second straight title on the road Friday night at the Gateway Grizzlies, will have their home opener on Tuesday at, 6:30 p.m. against the Southern Illinois Miners at Boomers Stadium in Schaumburg.

They'll also have a ring ceremony on Tuesday to celebrate the 2017 crown.

Schaumburg's roster features quite a few carryovers from last year's squad - including a few who will be counted on for major contributions.

"Sean Godfrey (a right-handed hitting outfielder) is back," said Bennett. "We brought him back to be somewhere in the middle of our lineup, and he'll be a big part of our success this year.

"We'll also have Gunnar Kines. He was one of the best pitchers in the league and actually was picked up by the Mets last year. But he got hurt with the Mets so he's going to have to start the year on the DL."

Bennett also pointed to two newcomers, Austin Byler and Kewby Meyer, who should split time at first base and designated hitter.

"Those two guys should add some juice to our lineup," said Bennett.

Schaumburg will also have closer Jake Joyce returning, who Bennett said is one of the longest-tenured Boomers in his fourth season with the club.

Another season brings renewed pressure to win, and Bennett says that's fine.

"Professional sports being what they are," said Bennett, "you know there's always pressure to win. That's part of the job. Obviously you want to do your best here for the community and the players and be a respectable club, but at the end of the day you're trying to win ballgames.

"You just never know. We had a really tough year in 2015, and we came into camp with a pretty good club. But we had a couple of guys picked up and a couple of guys go down to injury, and that's tough to bounce back from."

Boomers general manager Michael Larson, who spent the last decade running a successful franchise in Fargo, North Dakota, added that despite his club having already put three titles on the board, there's always room for more.

"Of course you're always trying to win a championship," said Larson. "It's great to have three up on the wall but we'd love to have a fourth. That's the goal every year. You never know until the guys start to play but they're looking pretty strong so far."

2018 Boomers schedule

Date: Opponent Time

After three games at Gateway, the Boomers host their home opener on Tuesday at Boomers Stadium.

May 15: vs. Southern Illinois, 6:30 p.m.

May 16: vs. Southern Illinois, 11 a.m.

May 17: vs. Southern Illinois, 6:30 p.m.

May 18: vs. Traverse City, 6:30 p.m.

May 19: vs. Traverse City, 6 p.m.

May 20: vs. Traverse City, 1 p.m.

May 22: at River City, 6:35 p.m.

May 23: at River City, 6:35 p.m.

May 24: at River City, 6:35 p.m.

May 25: vs. Gateway, 6:30 p.m.

May 26: vs. Gateway 6 p.m.

May 27: vs. Gateway, 1 p.m.

May 30: at Windy City, 7:05 p.m.

May 31: at Windy City, 7:05 p.m.

June 1: vs. Lake Erie, 6:30 p.m.

June 2: vs. Lake Erie, 6 p.m.

June 3: vs. Lake Erie, 1 p.m.

June 5: vs. Windy City, 6:30 p.m.

June, 6: vs. Windy City, 6:30 p.m.

June 7: vs. Windy City, 6:30 p.m.

June 8: at Lake Erie, 6:05 p.m.

June 9: at Lake Erie, 5:05 p.m.

June 10: at Lake Erie, 1:05 p.m.

June 12: vs. Evansville, 6:30 p.m.

June 13: vs. Evansville, 6:30 p.m.

June 14: vs. Evansville, 6:30 p.m.

June 15: at Florence, 6:05 p.m.

June 16: at Florence, 5:05 p.m.

June 17: at Florence, 5:05 p.m.

June 19: at Lake Erie, 6:05 p.m.

June 20: at Lake Erie, 6:05 p.m.

June 21: at Lake Erie, 6:05 p.m.

June 22: vs. Washington, 6:30 p.m.

June 23: vs. Washington, 6 p.m.

June 24: vs. Washington, 1 p.m.

June 26: vs. Joliet, 6:30 p.m.

June 27: vs. Joliet, 11 a.m.

June 28: vs. Joliet, 12:30 p.m.

June 29: at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

June 30: at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

July 1: at Washington, 4:35 p.m.

July 3: vs. River City, 6:30 p.m.

July 4: vs. River City, 6:30 p.m.

July 5: vs. River City, 6:30 p.m.

July 6: at Normal, 7:05 p.m.

July 7: at Normal, 7:05 p.m.

July 8: at Normal, 6:05 p.m.

July 9-12: All-Star Break at River City

July 13: at Traverse City, 6:05 p.m.

July 14: at Traverse City, 6:05 p.m.

July 15: at Traverse City, 4:05 p.m.

July 17: at Southern Illinois, 7:05 p.m.

July 18: at Southern Illinois, 7:05 p.m.

July 19: at Southern Illinois, 7:05 p.m.

July 20: vs. Normal, 6:30 p.m.

July 21: vs. Normal, 6 p.m.

July 22: vs. Normal, 1 p.m.

July 24: at Windy City, 10:35 a.m.

July 25: at Windy City, 10:35 a. m,

July 26: at Windy City, 10:35 a.m.

July 26: at Windy City, 7:05 p.m.

July 27: at Joliet, 7:05 p.m.

July 28: at Joliet, 6:05 p.m.

July 29: at Joliet, 1:05 p.m.

July 31: vs. Florence, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 1: vs. Florence, 11 a.m.

Aug. 2: vs. Florence, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 3: at Evansville, 6:35 p.m.

Aug. 4: at Evansville, 6:35 p.m.

Aug. 5: at Evansville, 1:05 p.m.

Aug. 8: at Traverse City, 4:35 p.m. DH

Aug. 9: at Traverse City, 6:05 p.m.

Aug. 10: vs. Joliet, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 11: vs. Joliet, 6 p.m.

Aug. 12: vs. Joliet, 1 p.m.

Aug. 14: vs. Windy City, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 15: vs. Windy City, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 16: vs. Windy City, 12:30 p.m.

Aug. 17: vs. Lake Erie, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 18: vs. Lake Erie, 6 p.m.

Aug. 19: vs. Lake Erie, 1 p.m.

Aug. 21: at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

Aug. 22: at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

Aug. 23: at Washington, 6:05 p.m.

Aug. 24: vs. Traverse City, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 25: vs. Traverse City, 6 p.m.

Aug. 26: vs. Traverse City, 1 p.m.

Aug. 28: vs. Washington, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 29: vs. Washington, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 30: vs. Washington, 6:30 p.m.

Aug. 31: at Joliet, 7:05 p.m.

Sept. 1: at Joliet, 6:05 p.m.

Sept. 2: at Joliet, 1:05 p.m.