Boomers Stadium home to NJCAA regional weekend

Posted May 02, 2014 1:01 am

By Jonathan Cregier

Boomers Stadium has been home to two professional baseball teams, many high school games and countless concerts and festivals.

For the first time this spring, fans will be able to see the best junior college players from around the area compete at the Schaumburg facility as the NJCAA Region IV regional championship series will be contested there.

Among the standout competitors will be Harper third baseman Kurt Becker. The Palatine High School product is leading Division III of the NJCAA in batting average among hitters with 100 or more plate appearances.

Another to watch is College of Lake County center fielder Chris Hoffman. The Lakes High School graduate is third nationally on the stolen base list with 34.

The regional is slated for Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18 and will feature the winners of four sectionals. The regional format is double elimination, and the winners in both Division II and Division III will advance to the NJCAA World Series in Tyler, Texas.

Last season, Madison (Wis) advanced in Division II by topping Kankakee Community College, and Waubonsee Community College got the Division III national berth by edging Harper.

Among the others trying to advance this year will be Oakton Community College, Elgin Community College, College of DuPage and McHenry County College.

One key figure from Oakton is certainly familiar with the landscape at Boomers Stadium. Coach Bill Fratto serves as the Boomers first base coach.

Former Schaumburg High School standout T.J. Nall is currently the Boomers' pitching coach, and had also served in the same capacity as Oakton's pitching coach.

Individual game tickets will be $5, and a weekend pass will cost $20. They can be purchase by calling (847) 461-3695.

Schedule

Friday, May 16:

noon - Game 1 (Division II)

3:30 p.m. - Game 2 (Division II)

7 p.m. - Game 3 (Division III)

Saturday, May 17:

9 a.m. - Game 4 (Division II)

12:30 p.m. - Game 5 (Division II)

4 p.m. - Game 6 (Division III)

7:30 p.m. - Game 7 (Division II)

Sunday, May 18:

noon - Game 8 (Division III, if necessary)

3:30 p.m. - Game 9 (Division II)

7 p.m. - Game 10 (Division II, if necessary)

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